As the new year gets under way at Clemson University, the Office of Human Resources and the Payroll Department have issued the following first-of-year updates for faculty and staff.
Your paycheck may appear slightly different in 2020
Beginning with the first paychecks of the new year on January 15, 2020, paychecks will reflect deduction amounts based on any changes made during the October 2019 benefits open enrollment period as well as any corrections found during the annual reconciliation process. Additionally, some of the deduction descriptions for those benefits that might appear on paychecks will be different in 2020. Access those descriptions here. These changes require no action from faculty or staff.
The IRS has issued a new W-4 for 2020
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued a new W-4 for the 2020 tax year. The new W-4, designed in alignment with the 2018 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, will no longer use withholding allowances. Faculty and staff are encouraged to reassess their tax situations and submit a new Form W-4 for the 2020 tax year. Employees who do not furnish a new Form W-4, will have their tax withholding continue based on the information on their existing W-4; however, that withholding will be based on the new 2020 tax chart, which means the actual tax withheld may change from the previous year.
To learn more, visit the 2020 Tax Information webpage and reference the following:
- New W-4 Frequently Asked Questions
- IRS Withholding Estimator to help estimate your 2020 tax liability
- Quick Reference guide for using the IRS Withholding Estimator
After reviewing your tax situation, you may complete and submit a new Form W-4 online.
For additional assistance, contact payroll@clemson.edu or call 864-656-2000.
Improved messaging regarding employee benefits
The Office of Human Resources works hard to keep faculty and staff informed of important information related to their specific employee benefits situation. In support of this effort, employees may receive email messages from clemsonbenefits@benefitfocus.com. These messages are legitimate, and employees should not disregard these messages or mark them as spam. Messages from this address will contain important information related to the specific benefits in which an employee is enrolled. Additionally, faculty and staff will continue to receive messages from the Office of Human Resources with information that applies more generally to Clemson faculty and staff.
Questions?
Contact the Office of Human Resources (Ask-HR / 864-656-2000).
DISCLAIMER: THE OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES, THE PAYROLL DEPARTMENT AND CLEMSON UNIVERSITY ARE NOT PERMITTED TO ASSIST ANY STUDENT OR EMPLOYEE WITH ANY IRS TAX FORM PREPARATION OR TAX-RELATED QUESTIONS. THE INFORMATION INCLUDED ON THIS PAGE IS INTENDED FOR YOUR BENEFIT. ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO A CERTIFIED TAX PREPARER OR A LOCAL IRS FIELD OFFICE.
