Roger Harris of Padgett Business Services Discusses New Procedures for Small Employer Tax Returns and Year End Preparations on IRS Tax Talk Today

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Roger Harris of Padgett Business Services Discusses New Procedures for Small Employer Tax Returns and Year End Preparations on IRS Tax Talk Today

Athens, Ga. (Oct. 20, 2006) - For the second month in a row, Roger Harris, president and chief operations officer of Padgett Business Services, participated in a panel of tax experts in the IRS web-cast of Tax Talk Today. Panelists discussed the start-up of the Form 944 program for small employers, as well as general employment tax information in preparation for the year's end.

Form 944 is a new program in which small employers with a tax liability of $1,000 or less may file an annual federal tax return, instead of the quarterly 941 tax return. Panelists explained that employers who meet this criteria should have received notification and that agents should be aware of this change.

Harris explains that because employers must prepare and distribute W-2 forms by January 31, January can be just as hectic as April, and he gives advice for a smoother process for handling employment taxes.

"I think there are things you can do now that can ease the burden in January," says Harris. "You can go ahead and begin verifying with your clients the names, addresses, and social security numbers of their employees...If you have clients that are on the edge of changing from monthly to semi-monthly deposits, you can determine whether or not you are going to have a change in deposit requirements."

Harris advises that employers take advantage of the different due dates. "By having the W-2s in the hands of employees by Jan. 31 and holding the mailing until February, correcting changes is much easier." He also advises that employers use the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) for fast and accurate returns.

Harris is the first non-IRS representative to appear on back-to-back shows. He was chosen to participate in this panel because of his expert knowledge and extensive experience in accounting and small business issues. Acting on behalf of both Padgett Business Services and associations of tax practitioners, Harris has testified several times on IRS and small business issues to both the Senate and House Small Business Committees and the House Ways and Means Committee.

Harris was also appointed to the Internal Revenue Service Advisory Council that provides a public forum for raising, studying and making recommendations on tax administration issues, as well as IRS restructuring and modernization.

The October web-cast of Tax Talk Today may be viewed in its entirety under the archives section on www.taxtalktoday.com.

For more information about Roger Harris and Padgett Business Services please visit www.smallbizpros.com or call the home office at 1-800-PADGETT.

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About Padgett Business Services

For over 40 years, Padgett Business Services has catered to the individual needs of small business owners through a network of 400 local owner-operated offices. By way of personal relationships and efficient service, they provide peace of mind to help their clients' businesses increase their success. Padgett offers small business advice and consultation, tax preparation, government compliance, financial reporting, complete payroll services, and other services important to small businesses.

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Submitted by: Kate Lockamy
Padgett Business Services
160 Hawthorne Park
Athens, GA 30601
800-723-4388 x226
klockamy@smallbizpros.com