[SchoolFinance] PFML question

Thu Dec 5 10:25:56 EST 2024

Agree, Stacie Field.  It's not fair to employers who already provide paid
leave to now have to pay for this other leave!

On Thu, Dec 5, 2024 at 10:02 AM Field, Stacie <sfield at rsu16.org> wrote:

> Yes, Medicare also has an employer portion, but employees pay both those
> taxes (FICA and Medicare).
> We pay no portion of SUTA or FUTA, nor can the employer pass any portion
> of these taxes on to employees.
> This is the craziest thing I have ever seen.  Why don't they just assess
> the leave to employers who don't have paid leave, instead of making Maine
> workers pay for it?
> I did leave that comment during the open comment time frame.
>
> Stacie Field
> Business Manager
> RSU 16 - Poland, Mechanic Falls, Minot
> 207.998.2727 ext 102
>
>
> On Thu, Dec 5, 2024 at 8:53 AM Lisa Harkin <lharkin at kitteryschools.com>
> wrote:
>
>> Thanks Stacie for the clarification about SUTA and FUTA being employer
>> taxes.  Although a portion of FICA is employer, but we won't go there!
>> This really is a bad situation.
>>
>> On Wed, Dec 4, 2024 at 3:41 PM Field, Stacie <sfield at rsu16.org> wrote:
>>
>>> Yes, I looked at the Circular E, and pub 15-A and 15-B. Also spoke
>>> directly with Tim Applegate, and the IRS last week.
>>> I keep arguing you cannot tax an employee on Section 125 or 403(b)
>>> reduction agreements. Not getting anywhere.
>>> SUTA and FUTA are employER taxes, not employEE, so none of this
>>> matters.
>>>
>>> We have to honor reduction agreements, which are under IRS regulations.
>>> I do not believe the State of Maine can override the IRS.  I don't feel
>>> I have gotten anywhere. I am just hoping for a lawsuit down the road. If I
>>> can find an attorney willing to take it on, I'll start one.   My two cents,
>>> less .5% of course.
>>>
>>> Stacie Field
>>> Business Manager
>>> RSU 16 - Poland, Mechanic Falls, Minot
>>> 207.998.2727 ext 102
>>>
>>>
>>> On Wed, Dec 4, 2024 at 3:02 PM Lisa Harkin <lharkin at kitteryschools.com>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> OK, me again, last post I promise.
>>>> Has anyone looked at the Circular E?
>>>> Exempt from FUTA (ie PFML?)
>>>>
>>>> Government employment:
>>>>
>>>> 1. State/local governments and political subdivisions, employees of:
>>>>
>>>> a. Salaries and wages (includes
>>>>
>>>> payments to most elected and appointed officials). See
>>>>
>>>> chapter 3 of Pub. 963.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> AND
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Insurance for employees:
>>>>
>>>> 1. Accident and health insurance
>>>>
>>>> premiums under a plan or system for
>>>>
>>>> employees and their dependents generally or for a class or classes of
>>>>
>>>> employees and their dependents
>>>>
>>>> On Wed, Dec 4, 2024 at 2:34 PM Andrea Disch <adisch at msad11.org> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Yes, Lisa, my apologies for not being clearer.
>>>>>
>>>>> It was clarified during yesterday's PFML portal webinar that PFML
>>>>> does not allow for the carve-out earnings exemptions that are available
>>>>> under unemployment.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Andrea Disch
>>>>> Business Manager
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Maine School Administrative District No. 11
>>>>> 150 Highland Avenue • Gardiner, Maine 04330
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> 207-582-5346
>>>>>
>>>>> *aDisch at msad11.org <aDisch at msad11.org>*
>>>>>
>>>>> *www.msad11.org <http://www.msad11.org>*
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On Wed, Dec 4, 2024 at 1:12 PM Lisa Harkin <lharkin at kitteryschools.com>
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> I heard that PFML has the same exemptions as SUTA and FUTA, so I am
>>>>>> deducting Health and Dental from gross wages.
>>>>>> Reading your reply again, you are talking about earnings, not
>>>>>> exemptions to gross earnings, so Health exemptions are a completely
>>>>>> different subject.  Apologies.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Some volunteers get paid, oxymoron, I know.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On Wed, Dec 4, 2024 at 10:59 AM Andrea Disch <adisch at msad11.org>
>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> MSAD 11 will be deducting PFML from all school board
>>>>>>> member compensation, as well.
>>>>>>> It was stated again at yesterday's meeting that PFML does not have
>>>>>>> the earnings exemptions that SUTA has, including school board members.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Andrea Disch
>>>>>>> Business Manager
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Maine School Administrative District No. 11
>>>>>>> 150 Highland Avenue • Gardiner, Maine 04330
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> 207-582-5346
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> *aDisch at msad11.org <aDisch at msad11.org>*
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> *www.msad11.org <http://www.msad11.org>*
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Wed, Dec 4, 2024 at 9:12 AM Coulombe, Jessica <
>>>>>>> jessica.coulombe at rsu4.org> wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Hello!
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> A question I have is for School Board members. I am thinking that
>>>>>>>> PFML wages would be subject to the PFML deduction., as we consider them
>>>>>>>> volunteers that receive an honorarium stipend.  Your thoughts?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Thanks
>>>>>>>> Jessica
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On Wed, Dec 4, 2024 at 9:01 AM Andrea Disch <adisch at msad11.org>
>>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> I have not received any specific guidance regarding but we are
>>>>>>>>> being told that there are few exceptions to PFML, fewer exceptions than for
>>>>>>>>> SUTA.
>>>>>>>>> My guess would be that if the wage flows through payroll, and you
>>>>>>>>> would withholdSUTA, you will also need to withhold PFML taxes.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Andrea Disch
>>>>>>>>> Business Manager
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Maine School Administrative District No. 11
>>>>>>>>> 150 Highland Avenue • Gardiner, Maine 04330
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> 207-582-5346
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> *aDisch at msad11.org <aDisch at msad11.org>*
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> *www.msad11.org <http://www.msad11.org>*
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> On Mon, Dec 2, 2024 at 2:44 PM Krol, Gabrielle <
>>>>>>>>> gabrielle.krol at msad52.org> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Good Afternoon,
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> I am wondering if anyone has seen or heard any guidance on if we
>>>>>>>>>> are imposing this tax to Cash in Lieu, or Travel stipends.  I may have
>>>>>>>>>> missed this guidance.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Thank you!
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>>>> Gabrielle Krol
>>>>>>>>>> Business Manager
>>>>>>>>>> MSAD 52
>>>>>>>>>> 486 Turner Center Road
>>>>>>>>>> Turner, ME 04282
>>>>>>>>>> 207-225-1006
>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>> SchoolFinance mailing list
>>>>>>>>>> SchoolFinance at maillist.informe.org
>>>>>>>>>> http://maillist.informe.org/mailman/listinfo/schoolfinance
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>> SchoolFinance mailing list
>>>>>>>>> SchoolFinance at maillist.informe.org
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>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>> *Jessica Coulombe*
>>>>>>>> Payroll Specialist
>>>>>>>> Wellness Coordinator
>>>>>>>> RSU 4
>>>>>>>> 971 Gardiner Rd
>>>>>>>> Wales, Me 04280
>>>>>>>> 207-375-4273 ext 175  or Option 2
>>>>>>>> fax:207-375-2522
>>>>>>>> jessica.coulombe at rsu4.org
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
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>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> --
>>>>>> Lisa Harkin
>>>>>> Finance Manager
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> SchoolFinance mailing list
>>>>>> SchoolFinance at maillist.informe.org
>>>>>> http://maillist.informe.org/mailman/listinfo/schoolfinance
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Lisa Harkin
>>>> Finance Manager
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> SchoolFinance mailing list
>>>> SchoolFinance at maillist.informe.org
>>>> http://maillist.informe.org/mailman/listinfo/schoolfinance
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
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>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Lisa Harkin
>> Finance Manager
>> _______________________________________________
>> SchoolFinance mailing list
>> SchoolFinance at maillist.informe.org
>> http://maillist.informe.org/mailman/listinfo/schoolfinance
>
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-- 

*Dawn L. FickettAssistant SuperintendentRSU/SAD #37*
*1020 Sacarap Road*

*Harrington ME 04643Telephone: 207-483-2734Fax: 207-483-6051*

 *“Education is one thing no one can take away from you.” —Elin Nordegren*
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