| News & Alerts |
Maine Association of Payroll Professional is always looking for
members who want to get involved in their association on
committees and apply their knowledge and skills in new,
exciting ways.
The rewards of working on behalf of your profession and
colleagues are countless!
If you would like to join Maine Association of Payroll
Professional Board of Directors serving on one of our
Committees, please contact one of our Board members below:
Maine Association of Payroll Professional 2009 open
positions are as follows:
Committee positions.
Please help us make a difference, by volunteering
today!
members who want to get involved in their association on
committees and apply their knowledge and skills in new,
exciting ways.
The rewards of working on behalf of your profession and
colleagues are countless!
If you would like to join Maine Association of Payroll
Professional Board of Directors serving on one of our
Committees, please contact one of our Board members below:
Maine Association of Payroll Professional 2009 open
positions are as follows:
Committee positions.
Please help us make a difference, by volunteering
today!
PLEASE NOTE: Legislative Information cannot perform research, provide legal advice, or interpret Maine law. For legal
assistance, please contact a qualified attorney.
An Act To Modify the Laws Regarding Garnishment of Wages
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 9-A MRSA §5-105, sub-§2, as amended by PL 1995, c. 614, Pt. A, §5, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:
2. The maximum part of the aggregate disposable earnings of an individual for any workweek that is subjected to garnishment
to enforce payment of a judgment arising from a consumer credit transaction may not exceed the lesser of:
A. Twenty-five percent of the individual’s disposable earnings for that week; and
B. The amount by which the individual’s disposable earnings for that week exceed 40 times the federal minimum hourly wage
prescribed by Section 6(a)(I) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, 29 United States Code, Section 206(a)(I), or the state
minimum wage prescribed by Title 26, section 664, whichever is higher, in effect at the time the earnings are payable.
In the case of earnings for a pay period other than a week, the administrator shall prescribe by rule a multiple of the minimum
hourly wage equivalent in effect to that set forth in this paragraph.
SUMMARY
This bill revises the Maine Consumer Credit Code so that a garnishment judgment for a consumer credit debt must allow a worker
to retain at least the equivalent of the federal or state minimum wage, whichever is higher.
Link to Maine Legislature Bill LD 231
assistance, please contact a qualified attorney.
An Act To Modify the Laws Regarding Garnishment of Wages
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 9-A MRSA §5-105, sub-§2, as amended by PL 1995, c. 614, Pt. A, §5, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:
2. The maximum part of the aggregate disposable earnings of an individual for any workweek that is subjected to garnishment
to enforce payment of a judgment arising from a consumer credit transaction may not exceed the lesser of:
A. Twenty-five percent of the individual’s disposable earnings for that week; and
B. The amount by which the individual’s disposable earnings for that week exceed 40 times the federal minimum hourly wage
prescribed by Section 6(a)(I) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, 29 United States Code, Section 206(a)(I), or the state
minimum wage prescribed by Title 26, section 664, whichever is higher, in effect at the time the earnings are payable.
In the case of earnings for a pay period other than a week, the administrator shall prescribe by rule a multiple of the minimum
hourly wage equivalent in effect to that set forth in this paragraph.
SUMMARY
This bill revises the Maine Consumer Credit Code so that a garnishment judgment for a consumer credit debt must allow a worker
to retain at least the equivalent of the federal or state minimum wage, whichever is higher.
Link to Maine Legislature Bill LD 231
| Included on this page currently is information on SSA News & Tips, our need for Board members and Officers, recent changes to LD231, An Act To Modify the Laws Regarding Garnishment of Wages, and Wage Base changes, LD1697, An Act to Insure Fair Wages. |
| Important! Update to LD 231: An Act To Modify the Laws Regarding Garnishment of Wages |
Social Security Wage Base Rises to $102,000 in 2008
The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced on Wednesday, October 17, 2007, that the 2008 social security wage base will be $102,000, an increase of
$4,500 from the 2007 wage base of $97,500. As in prior years, there is no limit to the wages subject to the Medicare tax; therefore, all covered wages are still subject
to the 1.45% tax.
The FICA tax rate, which is the combined social security tax rate of 6.2% and the Medicare tax rate of 1.45%, remains at 7.65% for 2008. The maximum social
security tax employees and employers will each pay in 2008 is $6,324.00. This is an increase of $279.00 from the 2007 maximum of $6,045.00.
The social security wage base for self-employed individuals in 2008 will also be $102,000. There is no limit on covered self-employment income that will be subject to
the Medicare tax. The self-employment tax rate remains 15.3% (combined social security tax rate of 12.4% and Medicare tax rate of 2.9%). In 2008, the maximum
social security tax for a self-employed individual will be $12,648.00. This is an increase of $558.00 from the 2007 maximum of $12,090.00.
FICA coverage threshold increases for domestic, election workers
The threshold for coverage under social security and Medicare for domestic employees will be $1,600 in 2008, up from $1,500 in 2007; the coverage threshold for
election workers will be $1,400 in 2008, up from $1,300 in 2007.
For more targeted year-end training, APA offers three specialized Year-End programs in addition to the Regular Year-End seminars. Government/Public Sector
Preparing for Year-End and 2008, Accounts Payable/Disbursements Preparing for Year-End and 2008, and Canadian Payrolls Preparing for Year-End and 2008.
Get vital year-end training for your specific payroll needs. For details and to register visit the American Payroll Training Link.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced on Wednesday, October 17, 2007, that the 2008 social security wage base will be $102,000, an increase of
$4,500 from the 2007 wage base of $97,500. As in prior years, there is no limit to the wages subject to the Medicare tax; therefore, all covered wages are still subject
to the 1.45% tax.
The FICA tax rate, which is the combined social security tax rate of 6.2% and the Medicare tax rate of 1.45%, remains at 7.65% for 2008. The maximum social
security tax employees and employers will each pay in 2008 is $6,324.00. This is an increase of $279.00 from the 2007 maximum of $6,045.00.
The social security wage base for self-employed individuals in 2008 will also be $102,000. There is no limit on covered self-employment income that will be subject to
the Medicare tax. The self-employment tax rate remains 15.3% (combined social security tax rate of 12.4% and Medicare tax rate of 2.9%). In 2008, the maximum
social security tax for a self-employed individual will be $12,648.00. This is an increase of $558.00 from the 2007 maximum of $12,090.00.
FICA coverage threshold increases for domestic, election workers
The threshold for coverage under social security and Medicare for domestic employees will be $1,600 in 2008, up from $1,500 in 2007; the coverage threshold for
election workers will be $1,400 in 2008, up from $1,300 in 2007.
For more targeted year-end training, APA offers three specialized Year-End programs in addition to the Regular Year-End seminars. Government/Public Sector
Preparing for Year-End and 2008, Accounts Payable/Disbursements Preparing for Year-End and 2008, and Canadian Payrolls Preparing for Year-End and 2008.
Get vital year-end training for your specific payroll needs. For details and to register visit the American Payroll Training Link.
| Important! AMERICAN PAYROLL ASSOCIATION: Compliance Update |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| Do the Math! |
| MAPP is a Time Saver! |
| Sign up for Membership now to globe for payroll answers we already |
| Find all of your HR needs at the BLR website, which is geared toward each State individually. Click on their icon! |
| The SSA W2 Newsletter can be found through this link. It has important updates and answered questions. |
Summary of LD1697:
This bill increases the minimum wage to $7.70 per hour in 2008 and to $8.40 per hour in 2009. Each year after that, the minimum
wage is adjusted based on changes in prices, so that the minimum hourly wage will retain its purchasing power. The price
adjustment is based on the change in the Consumer Price Index.
The bill also removes exemptions to the State's minimum wage and overtime laws. The bill also changes the tip credit to $3 per
hour rather than 50% of the state minimum wage as under current law.
The bill also amends the laws governing enforcement of minimum wage and overtime laws by increasing penalties, increasing
remedies in private civil actions and expanding the scope of anti-retaliation provisions.
The full text, including sections on tip credits can be found here.
This bill increases the minimum wage to $7.70 per hour in 2008 and to $8.40 per hour in 2009. Each year after that, the minimum
wage is adjusted based on changes in prices, so that the minimum hourly wage will retain its purchasing power. The price
adjustment is based on the change in the Consumer Price Index.
The bill also removes exemptions to the State's minimum wage and overtime laws. The bill also changes the tip credit to $3 per
hour rather than 50% of the state minimum wage as under current law.
The bill also amends the laws governing enforcement of minimum wage and overtime laws by increasing penalties, increasing
remedies in private civil actions and expanding the scope of anti-retaliation provisions.
The full text, including sections on tip credits can be found here.
| Important! Update to LD1697: An Act To Insure Fair Wages |
| Link to Maine FMLA Laws & Regulations |
| COBRA Subsidy Update One COBRA Subsidy Update Two |
September 10th
Seminar: IRS Updates
on Patient Protection
Affordable Care Act,
Hiring Incentives to
Restore Employment
(HIRE) Act
State: Unclaimed
Properties Procedures
Round Table Discussion:
Questions Asked &
Answered
Gary Crocker,
Renowned Maine
Humorist will be with
us in the afternoon!
Don't miss this great
seminar!
November 19th: Topics
to be announced
As always, plan on
Great Speakers, Earned
Continuing Education
Hours, Give aways, &
Door Prizes!
Seminar: IRS Updates
on Patient Protection
Affordable Care Act,
Hiring Incentives to
Restore Employment
(HIRE) Act
State: Unclaimed
Properties Procedures
Round Table Discussion:
Questions Asked &
Answered
Gary Crocker,
Renowned Maine
Humorist will be with
us in the afternoon!
Don't miss this great
seminar!
November 19th: Topics
to be announced
As always, plan on
Great Speakers, Earned
Continuing Education
Hours, Give aways, &
Door Prizes!