Do I Include Tips In My Payroll For Workers Compensation Insurance?
Man, I haven’t posted anything new for way too long, mostly because I have been devoting a lot of time to studying for my next CPCU test…..”Accounting and Finance for Insurance Professionals.” Does anything sound more dry and boring than that?? Accounting/finance/insurance…….sounds worse than influenza/ the DMV/ or paying bills. Oh well, I am learning a lot.
Anyways, someone asked me a good question today. This came from a salon owner, “Do I include tips in my payroll estimate (for workers compensation insurance)? The answer to this question is NO, do not include tips. Tips and severance pay are to be disregarded in developing payroll with one exception: sums for accrued vacations, sick pay, commissions, and bonuses included in severance pay shall be included.
One the same note, with regards to overtime, only straight time is used in the premium calculation for workers compensation insurance. In other words, all hours worked are considered but only at straight-time rates. Premium rates for pay of overtime are disregarded. However, payroll records must be kept which show these details.
Bonuses are considered as regular compensation and used in developing payrolls.
Premium pay for working certain hours on the clock, such as swing shift or night shift work, is used in developing payrolls.
–JK
Source: Merritt Manual
3 responses to “Do I Include Tips In My Payroll For Workers Compensation Insurance?”
Leave a Reply
About Me
I grew up in Fullerton, CA and graduated from Servite High School in Anaheim. I have my Bachelors degree from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. I currently live in Tustin, CA.
Please contact me if you need help with any of the following lines of insurance for your business:
-Businessowners
-Property
-Commercial General Liability
-Product Liability
-Workers Compensation
-Group Medical
-Commercial Auto
-Umbrella/Excess Liability
-Errors & Omissions/ Professional Liability
-Employment Practices Liability
-Directors & Officers
-Life & Disability Insurance
Jimmy Kinmartin, CPCU 
I received my CPCU designation almost 25 years ago and I still wake up at night with palpitations over the finance and accounting section. – Hang in there you will get through it.
Great job explaining the WC payroll rules. It’s amazing how many insureds don’t understand them. Even more amazing is how so many auditors misinterpret them.
Bill- Thanks for your memo! This is only my fourth test, but this has been the most challenging for me so far. 8 tests seems so far away. One at a time is the only way to go. I appreciate you taking the time to read this! I’ll keep you posted on my progress with the CPCU. Keep in touch, Jim
I am an owner of a small restaurant. I often get a tips. That is also my question. This article definitely helps me realize where to include tips. Thanks for sharing this knowledgeable article.