How Does Payroll Determine Exempt vs. Non-Exempt Status Under Federal Law? Published: September 2026 | Last updated: September 2026 Short answer: Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, payroll determines exempt or non-exempt status through a two-part test. The employee...

What Payroll Records Do Employers Need to Defend a Wage Claim? Published: August 2026  |  Last updated: August 2026 Short answer: To defend a wage claim, employers need complete and accurate payroll records showing the hours worked and wages paid for each non-exempt...

How Must Payroll Handle Federal Wage Garnishments? By Journey Payroll & HR Marketing Team Published: August 2026  |  Last updated: August 2026 Short answer: When an employer receives a valid wage garnishment order, payroll must withhold the correct amount from the...

What Does Great Payroll Support Look Like Under Federal Law? Published: August 2026  |  Last updated: August 2026 Short answer: Great payroll support helps an employer carry a legal responsibility that federal law does not let anyone else carry for them. The IRS holds...

What Payroll Deductions Are Allowed Under Federal Law? Published: August 2026  |  Last updated: August 2026 Short answer: Federal law allows deductions required by law, such as taxes and court-ordered garnishments, without limit. Deductions for the employer's benefit,...

How Payroll Data Is Used Against Employers in Wage Investigations Payroll data is one of the main forms of evidence used in wage and hour investigations. If an employer’s time records, pay records, overtime calculations, deductions, job classifications, or payroll...

What Federal Timekeeping Rules Must Payroll Follow? Federal timekeeping rules require covered employers to keep accurate records of hours worked each workday and total hours worked each workweek for non-exempt employees. Federal law does not require a specific time...

Is Payroll a Legal Function Under Federal Law? What Employers Are Liable For Payroll is a legal compliance function under federal law, even though federal law does not require every employer to place payroll inside a legal department. Employers are legally responsible...

Why Payroll Should Be Audited Internally Before Regulators Get Involved Short answer: Employers should conduct internal payroll audits before regulators become involved because payroll errors rarely stay isolated. Small compliance issues can expand into wage claims,...

Why Payroll Reconciliations Matter More Than Employers Think Short answer: Payroll reconciliations are one of the most important internal payroll controls under federal law. They help employers verify that payroll records, tax filings, wage calculations, and payroll...

What Happens During a Federal Payroll Compliance Review? Short answer: During a federal payroll compliance review, agencies such as the IRS or U.S. Department of Labor examine payroll records, tax filings, wage calculations, employee classifications, and timekeeping...

Why Payroll Accuracy Matters More Than Speed Short answer: Payroll accuracy matters more than speed because federal law penalizes incorrect wage payments, not slow processing. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), employers must pay employees correctly for all...

Why “Flat Salaries” Still Require Overtime Calculations Under Federal Law   Short answer: Paying an employee a flat salary does not automatically make them exempt from overtime. Under federal law, most employees are entitled to overtime pay unless they meet...

What Happens After an Employee Files a Federal Wage Complaint Short answer: After an employee files a federal wage complaint, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) reviews the complaint, determines whether an investigation is appropriate, and may...

Are Final Paychecks Required Under Federal Law? What Payroll Must Deliver   Short answer: Yes, employers are required under federal law to pay employees for all wages earned in their final paycheck. However, federal law does not require that the final paycheck be...

How Payroll Handles Travel Time Under Federal Law   Short answer: Under federal law, some travel time must be paid and some does not. Payroll must pay non-exempt employees for travel that is part of the workday, travel during normal working hours, and any time...

What Federal Payroll Reporting Deadlines Do Employers Miss Most Often?   Short answer: Employers most commonly miss federal payroll deadlines related to Form 941 quarterly filings, payroll tax deposits, Form W-2 distribution and filing, and Form 940 annual FUTA...

How Federal Payroll Rules Apply to Remote Employees   Short answer: Federal payroll rules apply the same to remote employees as they do to on-site employees. The Fair Labor Standards Act requires employers to pay non-exempt employees for all hours worked, track...

How PTO, Vacation, and Sick Pay Are Treated Under Federal Payroll Rules Short answer: Federal law does not require employers to provide paid time off (PTO), vacation, or sick pay. However, when employers choose to offer these benefits, payroll must administer them...