Preparing for Year End 2025 and Year Beginning 2026

As the calendar year draws to a close, payroll professionals face the complex and critical task of year-end reconciliation and preparation for the new tax year. This comprehensive webinar is designed to equip payroll departments with the tools, updates, and best practices necessary for a seamless transition into 2026. Attendees will receive crucial guidance on reconciling and submitting Form W-2 at both the federal and state levels, while staying informed on the latest IRS, SSA, DOL, and state regulation changes. The session also includes practical tools like customizable checklists, sample forms, and memos to help standardize internal processes and reduce last-minute confusion.

Rather than scrambling in Q4, payroll compliance is increasingly a year-round effort. This training emphasizes the importance of proactive planning starting as early as January. Key topics include reconciling W-2s with Form 941, understanding taxation of fringe benefits, navigating regulatory changes, and best practices for gathering payroll data consistently throughout the year. Additional focus is placed on employee communications, duplicate W-2 procedures, electronic W-2 delivery, and new form updates. With up-to-date insights on legislative changes, W-2c usage, and 2026 wage base updates, this webinar ensures your department is prepared, compliant, and efficient.

Areas Covered in this Session:-

• Key IRS, SSA, DOL, and state-level updates for 2026, including changes to Forms W-2, W-4, 941, and Publication 1494
• Year-beginning updates on wage bases, fringe benefit limits, mileage rates, per diem allowances, and qualified transportation benefits
• Best practices for payroll organization, including checklists, employee communication memos, and duplicate W-2 request procedures
• Reconciling W-2s to 941s and year-round strategies for accurate data collection and compliance
• Taxation of fringe benefits, white-collar exemption updates, and electronic delivery of W-2s
• Correcting errors with W-2c, reviewing filing deadlines, and navigating third-party sick pay reporting
• State-specific payroll changes, including minimum wage increases, SUI wage bases, and EFW-2 record updates

Learning Objectives:-

• Understand the most current IRS, SSA, DOL, and state-level changes affecting year-end and new year payroll processing
• Learn best practices for organizing your payroll department with proven action item checklists and templates for Form W-2, year-end, and year-beginning procedures
• Discover how to efficiently handle duplicate Form W-2 requests, including setting up policies and potential fee structures
• Get updates on Form W-4 and Form W-2 changes for 2026, Publication 1494, and other critical payroll forms and deadlines
• Learn how to effectively reconcile Forms W-2 to 941 and avoid compliance pitfalls
• Explore the tax treatment of fringe benefits, electronic delivery of W-2s, and how to issue Form W-2c appropriately
• Receive a sample year-end memo to proactively communicate with employees and reduce administrative burden

Why This Webinar Is a Must-Attend:-

This session provides actionable strategies and tools to reduce year-end stress, ensure compliance, and set your department up for success in the upcoming year. Whether you're a payroll veteran or new to year-end procedures, this training offers valuable insights that will save time and prevent costly errors.

Who Will Benefit:-

• Payroll Executives, Managers, Administrators, and Practitioners
• Human Resources Professionals
• Accounting Personnel
• Business Owners, Executive Officers, Operations, and Departmental Managers
• Legal Professionals and Lawmakers
• Anyone involved in payroll compliance and year-end processing responsibilities.