Happy New Year From Premier Payroll Solutions
Welcome To Premier Payroll’s End-of-Year Newsletter!
A closer look at our journey, team growth, new hires, and the way we’re evolving alongside the industry. Stay updated on what’s happening within our company and across the regions we serve, with insights that reflect who we are and where we’re headed.
Meet our newest team members
We’re thrilled to extend a heartfelt welcome to all our newest members of the Premier Payroll Solutions team! Each of you brings unique strengths, experiences, and energy that will continue to elevate the work we do and the service we deliver to our clients. We’re excited to have you join us on this journey and look forward to supporting your growth, celebrating your successes, and building great things together. Welcome to the PPS family!
Rebecca Gilbert
Product Specialist
Rebecca Gilbert brings a strong background in payroll and human resources, with industry experience dating back to 2018. Her career began at a staffing agency in Columbus, Ohio, before she transitioned to Piada Italian Street Food, where she not only grew professionally, but also met her future husband. After marrying in 2022, she relocated to sunny Tampa, Florida. Rebecca is outgoing, energetic, and driven by a passion for continuous learning and meaningful impact. She excels in implementing payroll, HR, and system functionalities that improve efficiency and deliver results.
Outside of work:
She enjoys the beach, painting, scrapbooking, puzzles, and the occasional
Diet Coke.
Bernard Soto
Director of Sales
We are thrilled to welcome Bernard Soto as our new Director of Sales! Bernard brings nearly three decades of payroll, benefits administration, and HR experience, along with deep expertise in the world of finance, working closely with third-party administrators, 401(k) wholesalers, and financial advisors. As the founder of Associated Payroll, Bernard was a true innovator, leading one of the first companies on Long Island to integrate 401(k) contributions directly with record keepers. His passion for delivering modern, client-focused solutions has shaped his career and sets the stage for what’s ahead at Premier.
Now, Bernard joins Premier Payroll with a clear mission: to help grow Premier into one of the top HCM companies in the Northeast.
Ashley Robertsons
Senior Sale Consultant
We’re excited to welcome Ashley Robertson to the Premier team as our new Senior Sales Consultant! Ashley is a proven enterprise sales leader with a strong track record of building multimillion-dollar pipelines and closing complex SaaS and technology deals. She has delivered results at Dolby, Trackforce Valiant/TrackTik, and THEOplayer. Recognized as a top performer three years in a row, Ashley is known for simplifying complex sales cycles and delivering measurable ROI.
She brings a unique blend of empathy, relationship-building, and business strategy, guided by her motto: “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
Becky (Rebecca) Shaw
Implementation Specialist
Rebecca (Becky) Shaw offers 18+ years of deep expertise in payroll, operations, and client management. Rising from Payroll Specialist to Operations Manager, she has led numerous successful implementations, including a major transition from a legacy system to isolved in 2019.
Becky is passionate about continuous learning, process improvement, and building strong clients and internal training experiences. Her technical skills span Microsoft Excel, data management, payroll operations, and project leadership.
Outside of work: She enjoys exploring waterfalls, antiquing, spending time with her children and grandchildren, and working on puzzles—there’s almost always one in progress.
Spotlighting our partner platforms
Bringing you employees huge benefits:
Delivering earned wage access and financial wellness
We are thrilled to announce our partnership with ZayZoon, a leading provider of Earned Wage Access (EWA) solutions, to empower employees with greater financial flexibility and peace of mind.
Through this collaboration, Premier clients can now offer their workforce instant access to earned wages, at no cost to the employer. This voluntary benefit helps employees bridge cash flow gaps between paychecks, reducing financial stress and improving overall well-being. With ZayZoon’s secure, automated integration, activation is seamless and requires no changes to existing payroll processes.
Key Benefits:
Financial Empowerment
Employees gain control over their finances, accessing wages anytime, anywhere.
Improved Retention & Productivity
Companies offering EWA see up to 29% reduction in turnover and increased engagement.
Risk-Free for Employers
ZayZoon assumes all liability, making implementation effortless.
Fast Setup
Integrated with Premier’s payroll solutions, ZayZoon can be live in under 30 minutes.
In today’s competitive labor market, benefits that address real-life challenges are no longer optional; they’re essential. By partnering with ZayZoon, Premier is helping businesses create a more engaged, financially resilient workforce.
At TEG – Ignitehealth, we believe that true success begins with a healthy mind, body, and spirit. Many service-industries can’t afford traditional insurance and rising healthcare. The Preventive Care Management Program (PCMP) solves this by offering no-cost preventive healthcare for employees while saving employers an average of $620 per eligible employee each year.
Premier is glad to partner with TEG to bring valuable employee incentives into our service offerings. The entire process becomes seamless, compliant, and hands-free.
Key Benefits:
No Out-of-Pocket Costs
Employees pay $0, no deductibles, no co-pays, no financial barriers. Tax-free FSA card for extra medical purchases and savings.
Improved Retention & Productivity
Companies offering EWA see up to 29% reduction in turnover and increased engagement.
Comprehensive Preventive Services
Access to essential screenings and care that promote early detection and healthier outcomes.
Family Coverage Options
Dependents can also be supported, extending the program’s impact.
your wellness Journey starts here
STAY HUNGRY - STAY INSPIRED
The Staying Hungry Podcast is better than ever. Tune in to hear real, powerful stories from people whose journeys resonate with so many. Whether you’re looking for motivation, perspective, or just a great conversation, these episodes deliver.
Don’t forget to listen and feed your drive with every story shared! Come and share your story!
Compliance in motion know what’s coming, be prepared
Bringing you employees huge benefits:
Delivering earned wage access and financial wellness
New York wage & Salary updates effective january 1, 2026:
New York employers must prepare for scheduled changes to minimum wage, tip credits, meal credits, and exempt salary thresholds. These updates take effect January 1, 2026.
Minimun Wage rates
NYC, Nassau, Suffolk & Westchester: $17.00/hour Rest of New York State: $16.00/hour
Overtime rates:
Downstate (NYC, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester): $25.50/hour Upstate (Rest of NY): $24.00/hour
Tip credits & Cash Wages for food services workers (Restaurants, Hospitality):
Downstate: $11.35 cash wage + $5.65 tip credit = $17.00 Upstate: $10.70 cash wage + $5.30 tip credit = $16.00
Tip credits & Cash Wages for Service employees (non-food service):
Downstate: $14.15 cash wage + $2.85 tip credit = $17.00 Upstate: $13.30 cash wage + $2.70 tip credit = $16.00
Updates to meal credits and uniform allowances:
Click here for the summary of wage order rates and credits for the hospitality industry (Part146)
Exempt salary threshold:
Downstate: $1,275/week (≈ $66,300/year) Upstate: $1,199.10/week (≈ $62,353/year)
Stay ahead of the changes by reviewing your internal documents, payroll systems, and employee communications.
For full details, visit:
Additional minimum wage increases
As we enter the new year, several states will implement minimum wage increases effective January 1, 2026. Employers operating in these jurisdictions should review payroll systems, update wage settings, and ensure compliance with state labor laws before the effective date.
Links are provided for official state minimum wage guidance. If you need assistance preparing for these changes, our Premier Team is here to help.
states with minimum wage increases effective january 1, 2026
State
Minimum Wage
Government Website
Arizona
$15.15
azica.gov
California
$16.90
dir.ca.gov
Colorado
$15.16
cdle.colorado.gov
Connecticut
$16.94
portal.ct.gov/dol
Hawaii
$16.00
labor.hawaii.gov
Maine
$15.10
maine.gov/labor
Michigan
$13.73
michigan.gov
Minnesota
$11.41
dli.mn.gov
Missouri
$15.00
labor.mo.gov
Montana
$10.85
govdocs.com/state-minimum-wage-rates
Nebraska
$15.00
dol.nebraska.gov
New Jersey
$15.92 (most employers)
nj.gov/labor
New York
$17.00 (NYC & surrounding areas) / $16.00 (rest of state)
dol.ny.gov
Ohio
$11.00
com.ohio.gov
Rhode Island
$16.00
dlt.ri.gov
South Dakota
$11.85
dlr.sd.gov
Vermont
$14.42
labor.vermont.gov
Stay compliant with new york’s secure choice savings program
Starting in 2025, New York State requires certain employers to participate in the NY Secure Choice Savings Program, a state-run retirement savings initiative for employees. If your business meets the eligibility criteria, compliance isn’t optional, and failing to follow the rules can result in penalties.
employee eligibility
Accurate tax withholding and filing at federal, state, and applicable local levels
employee contributions
Contributions are deducted from payroll and deposited into individual retirement accounts.
compliance deadlines
Employers must register and begin facilitating payroll deductions according to the state’s schedule.
automatic enrollment
Eligible employees must be automatically enrolled unless they choose to opt out.
How premier payroll solutions can help
Premier Payroll Solutions make compliance simple, seamless, and hands-free.
Determine if your business is eligible
Set up automatic enrollment and payroll deductions
Ensure all reporting and deadlines are met
Don’t risk penalties, let Premier Payroll Solutions help you stay fully compliant with NY Secure Choice. Contact us today to get started!
No tax on overtime pay (2025)
Beginning in 2025, Eligible employees can deduct from federal taxable income
Applies to non-exempt hourly employees earning time-and-a-half.
Deductible amount: up to $12,500 (single) or $25,000 (joint).
Income phase-out: over $150,000 (single) / $300,000 (joint)
Only the premium portion of overtime qualifies.
FICA and state taxes still apply.
Reported on W-2 Box 14 – “Est OT Premium.”
No tax on tips (2026)
Starting in 2026, Eligible Tipped workers may deduct up to $25,000 of voluntary tips from federal taxable income
Voluntary tips only (cash, credit, tip-sharing).
Auto-gratuities and service charges do not qualify.
Income phase-out: $150,000 (single) / $300,000 (joint).
FICA taxes still apply; state rules may vary.
IRS Guidance
“Staying compliant is simpler when you’re prepared. Premier is here to guide you every step of the way!”
Thank you for being part of the premier payroll family !
Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season, a restful break, and a bright, successful New Year!
THE PREMIER PAYROLL SOLUTIONS TEAM
