About the Seminar & Webinar
This annual seminar has been a trusted resource for over 25 years, with hundreds of government agencies attending to stay ahead of changing regulations. Designed for professionals managing payroll, benefits, Accounts Payable and HR within local governments, school systems, special districts, and JPAs, our program offers a practical mix of foundational and advanced topics. While compliance-focused, it provides immediately applicable guidance for professionals at every level.
Key Topics Covered
The 2026 Government Tax Seminar and Webinar will help California public agencies navigate the latest payroll tax, employee benefits, and compliance developments affecting public sector employers. This year’s program will cover important federal and state updates, including new reporting rules, payroll tax changes, benefits limits, overtime-related developments, and recurring compliance issues that arise for cities, counties, water districts, joint powers authorities, and special districts. The program also includes the core topics agencies rely on each year to support accurate reporting, reduce risk, and prepare for year-end compliance.
2026 Federal Law Changes Affecting Public Agency Payroll
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Qualified overtime rules, withholding/reporting changes, W-4 questions, and payroll system impacts
Forms W-2, 941, 941-X and W-C
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Year-end reporting, payroll corrections, wage overpayments/underpayments, and penalty exposure
Form 1099 Reporting Updates
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New $2,000 reporting threshold, B-notices, backup withholding, IRIS, and e-filing issues
California Public Agency Payroll Tax Update
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Federal and California payroll developments affecting local public employers
Social Security & Medicare
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Section 218 Agreements, rehired annuitants, Medicare-only employees, and WEP/GPO repeal issues
IRS Employment Tax Aduits
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What to expect, how to respond, and strategies to reduce risk.
Worker Classification
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Employee vs. contractor analysis, dual roles, volunteers, and AB 5 implications
2026 Developments
2026 Developments
FLSA, Overtime, & Public Agency Pay Practices
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Exempt status, regular rate issues, comp time, and treatment of special pays and stipends
Fringe Benefits & Taxable Compensation
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Vehicles, housing, meals, gift cards, wellness incentives, and employee allowances
Travel, Reimbursements, & Accountable Plans
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Tax treatment of travel reimbursements, stipends, and common public agency payment practices
Health & Welfare Plans
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ACA reporting, HRAs, Section 125, HSAs, FSAs, post-employment coverage, and 2026 indexed limits
Retirement & Deferred Compensation
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457(b), 401(a), 403(b), SECURE 2.0, pick-up contributions, Roth catch-up, and 2026 indexed limits
Wage Garnishments & Tax Levies
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IRS/state rules, child support, and SB 1477 prioritization of competing withholding orders.
Supplemental Pay, Final Wages & Leave Payout
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Tax treatment of severance, vacation payouts, final wages, deceased employee payments, and disaster relief payments