Critical Thinking: Chapter 4 Payroll Withholding Services: What Should An Employer Provide?

Overview: These problems are meant to encourage deeper thinking on the material presented in the textbook. You are to answer ALL questions presented in the problem using the knowledge you have gained throughout the textbook. However, do not simply repeat what is in the book. Use that information and interpret it the best you can to apply it to the situation.

Requirements: Review the information and questions below. Provide a detailed 4-5 sentence explanation on how you would solve the problem or issue.

Issue: Many of your classmates will begin their payroll career in a Michigan based company, sometimes located in a city that imposes local income taxes. Local income taxes are taxes on the income earned within the city limits, with Detroit, Jackson, Lansing, and Port Huron being some of the largest cities in Michigan to impose a local income tax. Most cities have different rates for resident and non-resident employees that work within the city limits. However, companies are not usually legally required to withhold these local income taxes from the employee paychecks like they are with federal and state income taxes.

Questions to be Answered: 1) What is one advantage from the employers perspective on not being legally required to withhold local income taxes from employees paychecks?

2) What is one disadvantage from the employers perspective on not being legally required to withhold local income taxes from employees paychecks?