Year-End Update for Business Leaders: What's New and Best Practices to Stay Ahead

Staying informed about federal updates, reporting requirements, and best practices is essential to avoiding penalties, reducing stress, and ensuring your organization is well-positioned for the new year.

According to Gartner, today's leaders are becoming more focused on digitalizing compliance risk management processes and planning to increase compliance technology spending.

We've compiled the most critical updates and recommended best practices to help you confidently navigate the complexities of year-end reporting and compliance.

Critical Federal Compliance Updates

Federal compliance rules and regulations continue to evolve. In fact, the past few years have brought several significant shifts that may impact your year-end planning.

Below, we've broken down the key takeaways from some of these changes so you can prepare accordingly.

Expanded e-File Requirements

One of the most significant changes remains the expanded federal electronic filing (e-file) requirements.

The threshold for mandatory e-filing is still set at 10 returns, but if you need to submit W-2s, 1099s, and other information returns, you must file electronically if they meet this threshold — this is important because shifting to digital filing may require upgrading your processes to comply efficiently.

If you are new to e-filing or managing large volumes of returns, simplifying the process with the right tools can reduce the chance of errors and streamline compliance.

Now is the time to ensure your systems are ready to handle these requirements before the deadline.

Updated 1099 Reporting Rules

The IRS is stepping up its enforcement of proper reporting, with additional penalties for late or incorrect filings.

As independent contractor payments become more frequent, it's important to remember that you must report any payments to contractors of $600 or more on Form 1099-NEC.

To avoid penalties, we encourage you to refine your 1099 process early by tracking all payments and verifying contractor information. It would help if you also considered utilizing e-file services to comply with the 10-return threshold.

Changes to Payroll and Fringe Benefits

Changes to taxable fringe benefits and payroll tax rules are ongoing concerns for employers.

Health insurance contributions, bonuses, and personal use of company vehicles are just a few benefits that must be reported appropriately on W-2 forms.

New IRS guidance for 2024 includes adjustments in fringe benefit reporting and payroll tax thresholds, so it's crucial to stay updated. Ensure your team knows about these changes and has processes to report these benefits accurately.

Best Practices for Year-End Reporting

Adopting best practices to ensure accurate, efficient reporting is essential to a stress-free year-end.

Our team of experienced advisors has seen it all and tackled year-end challenges across various industries. Here are some of the most impactful strategies they recommend.

Reconcile Payroll Records Early

Payroll discrepancies are a common source of year-end reporting errors. In fact, the American Payroll Association (APA) found that many businesses experience errors in their payroll process during year-end reporting due to the increasing complexity of compliance requirements and last-minute updates to tax laws.

Start by reconciling payroll records well in advance of the filing deadline.

Reconciling payroll records includes confirming the following employee information is accurately recorded:

Additionally, you'll want to verify that your reporting complies with new wage base limits for Social Security and Medicare taxes.

By reconciling records early, you can identify and correct errors before they become costly problems during year-end reporting.

Audit Employee and Vendor Information

Incorrect employee Social Security numbers or outdated vendor payment data can delay the processing of W-2 and 1099 forms.

To avoid these issues, conduct a thorough audit of all employee and vendor information, paying close attention to the accuracy of:

This is especially important if your organization deals with a high volume of contractor payments, where missing or incorrect data can trigger penalties.

Take a deeper dive into specific reporting requirements in our free downloadable guides.

Form W-2 e-Book | Form 1099 e-Book

Track and Report Taxable Fringe Benefits

Taxable fringe benefits, such as company-provided vehicles, health benefits, and year-end bonuses, must be properly reported on W-2 forms.

Misreporting these benefits can lead to compliance problems and penalties. The IRS has made changes to fringe benefit reporting for 2024. Ensure you're following the latest guidelines by reviewing your records for all employee benefits and cross-checking them against IRS guidelines for accurate reporting.

Prepare for e-File Compliance

With the e-filing threshold remaining at 10 returns, you should prioritize automating your organization's reporting processes.

Electronic filing platforms and payroll software make managing compliance tasks easier and reduce the likelihood of errors. Additionally, these tools often have built-in tax updates, ensuring that your reporting aligns with the latest regulations.

Early preparation for e-filing is critical for smooth year-end reporting. Test your systems, ensure they are up to date, and consider running a trial submission to ensure everything is working as expected.

Stay Updated on Payroll Tax Changes

Payroll tax updates, including changes to Social Security, Medicare, and federal unemployment taxes, are critical for ensuring compliance.

New wage bases and thresholds apply in 2024, so it's essential to verify that your payroll systems are updated accordingly.

Regularly review IRS bulletins and updates to stay informed of any last-minute changes to payroll tax rules and help you avoid underreporting wages or overpaying taxes.

Looking Ahead: Laying the Foundation to Prosper in the Future

While year-end reporting is your immediate focus, now is also a great time to assess your processes and prepare your business for the coming year's challenges and opportunities.

By automating systems, staying current with compliance updates, and adopting best practices, you ensure your organization smoothly closes the year and lays a strong foundation for success in the new year.