A merit increase is a permanent boost to an employee’s base pay given as a reward for strong performance or significant contributions. Unlike bonuses, which are one-time payments, a merit increase raises ongoing salary and affects future earnings. Employers use merit increases to motivate employees, retain top talent, and recognize excellence.
Mandatory benefits are benefits that employers are legally required to provide to employees under labor and social security laws. These can include health insurance, retirement contributions, workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance, and paid leave. The exact requirements vary by country, but compliance ensures legal protection for both employers and employees.
Zero-Based Budgeting (ZBB) is a financial planning method where every expense must be justified from zero, promoting cost efficiency and accountability.
Labor cost refers to the full amount a business spends on its workforce. This includes direct expenses like wages and salaries, as well as indirect costs such as payroll taxes, employee benefits, insurance, training, and overtime. Understanding labor cost helps companies budget accurately, set prices, and maintain profitability.
Zero hour contracts are employment agreements with no guaranteed hours, where workers are paid only for the shifts they accept and work
Form W-3 is a transmittal form that employers submit to the Social Security Administration along with all employee W-2 forms. It provides a summary of total wages, tips, and other compensation paid, as well as the total taxes withheld during the year. This ensures accurate reporting of payroll information for both the IRS and employees’ social security records.
Form 1099-K is an IRS tax form used to report payments received through third-party settlement organizations such as PayPal, Stripe, or credit card companies. It shows the total payment transactions made to a business or individual during the year. Recipients use it to ensure all taxable income from digital platforms and payment processors is accurately reported.
Incentive-based compensation is pay that goes beyond base salary and directly links earnings to performance. It can include bonuses, commissions, profit-sharing, or stock options, designed to motivate employees to meet or exceed targets. This model aligns employee effort with company objectives while boosting engagement and productivity.
Holiday pay and paid time off (PTO) are two different employee benefits. Holiday pay is extra compensation for employees who work on public or company-declared holidays. PTO, on the other hand, is a bank of paid leave employees can use at their discretion, such as for vacation, illness, or personal matters. Together, they support both fair pay and work-life balance.
Holiday pay rate is the premium wage an employee earns for working on a recognized holiday. Depending on local labor laws or company policy, it may be 1.5x, 2x, or another multiplier of the regular hourly rate. This pay encourages employees to work during holidays while ensuring fair compensation for time away from personal or family activities.
Gross salary is the full amount an employee earns before any deductions are made. It includes base pay, overtime, bonuses, commissions, and allowances. Employers use gross salary as the starting point for calculating take-home pay after subtracting taxes and other withholdings.
FUTA tax, or Federal Unemployment Tax Act tax, is a payroll tax that employers in the United States must pay. The funds collected go toward federal and state unemployment programs, which provide temporary income to workers who lose their jobs. Employees do not pay FUTA tax; it is solely an employer responsibility.
Fringe benefits are non-wage perks or advantages that employers offer to employees in addition to their regular pay. Examples include health insurance, retirement contributions, company vehicles, meal allowances, and tuition assistance. Some fringe benefits are taxable, while others are exempt, depending on local tax laws and regulations.
Form W-9 is an IRS document that businesses use to request a worker’s taxpayer identification number (TIN) and certification. It is commonly completed by freelancers, independent contractors, and vendors so companies can prepare Form 1099 to report income paid. While the W-9 itself isn’t filed with the IRS, it ensures businesses have the correct tax details on record.
Form W-5 was an IRS form that employees could submit to their employer to receive part of their Earned Income Credit (EIC) in advance with each paycheck. Instead of waiting until tax filing season, workers accessed a portion of the credit throughout the year. This form was discontinued after 2010, but it played a role in improving cash flow for low- to moderate-income workers.
Form SS-8 is an IRS document that businesses or workers can file to request an official determination of a worker’s employment status. It helps clarify whether a person should be treated as an employee, with payroll tax obligations, or as an independent contractor. This form is useful in avoiding misclassification issues that can lead to tax penalties.
Form 1099-MISC is an IRS tax form used to report miscellaneous income that doesn’t fall under standard wages. It is often issued for payments such as rent, royalties, prizes, awards, or certain contractor payments. Businesses must file this form to ensure income is properly reported, and recipients use it to calculate taxable earnings.
Form 1099 is a series of tax documents the IRS requires to report various types of income earned outside of traditional employment. Commonly, it’s issued to freelancers, independent contractors, and gig workers, but also applies to interest, dividends, and other income. Employers and payers must file this form so both the worker and IRS track taxable earnings.
Form 673 is an IRS document that U.S. citizens working overseas can submit to their employer. It allows them to claim an exemption from federal income tax withholding on income they expect to exclude under the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion. By filing this form, employees can reduce unnecessary withholdings and improve their cash flow while abroad.
Earned Wage Access (EWA) is a payroll service that allows employees to withdraw a portion of the wages they’ve already earned before their scheduled payday. It helps workers cover urgent expenses, avoid high-interest loans, and manage cash flow better. For employers, EWA can boost employee satisfaction and retention without changing standard payroll cycles.