Employers, especially those in the not-for-profit sector, often look for creative ways to remunerate staff. Non-cash benefits can fit the bill. It is important to understand the tax consequences of employee benefits being offered or your organization and staff could be in for a surprise at tax time.
In this article we will address a number of issues that we deal with on a regular basis.
Raise Pay Equity Target Rates Annually for Across the Board Wage Increases
Pay equity target rates must be increased annually for across-the-board wage increases given to staff each year.
This article attempts to provide some clarity as to the rights and obligations of employers under the Pay Equity Act and the Pay Equity Amendment Act of 1993 (collectively referred to as “the Act”) and the mechanics and rules of implementing pay equity increases. We will review the pay equity obligations of your organization and its Board of Directors. We will also review the rules for calculating pay equity adjustments and the mechanics of distributing the funds to employees.
Not-for-profit organizations with optional Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (“WSIB”) coverage must pay a sizable fee in order to withdraw from the plan. This departure fee came into effect in December, 1997 and is calculated regardless of an organization’s previous WSIB claims experience. Even organizations with no prior claims under the plan will be levied a substantial fee on cancellation of coverage.
We frequently receive questions regarding employer/employee relations. Many of the questions relate to the regulations governing not-for-profit employers. In this issue we will provide an overview of many of the statutory obligations of employers in the not-for-profit sector.
First, some background on pay equity funding is necessary. Funding received in 1994 by organizations adopting the proxy method was calculated at 3% of 1993 salaries. This was initially meant to represent the 1% pay equity adjustment for 1994 with an additional 2% allowance to help organizations catch up to their pay equity base.
Most not-for-profit organizations in Ontario currently provide disability benefits for staff through either participation in the Ontario Workers’ Compensation Board (“WCB”) plan and/or through private short and long-term disability benefit plans. The WCB plan will undergo significant changes effective January 1, 1998. Now is a good time to review your long-term disability coverage to ensure that your employees are adequately covered and that your organization is getting the best value for insurance premiums paid.
We are often asked whether providing childcare to employees will result in a taxable benefit to the employees. As with many taxation issues the answer is not straightforward.
Employer Provided Childcare
Interestingly enough, there is no taxable benefit in the hands of the employee in cases where: