Payroll & HR
17 articlesHow Many Employees Trigger Paid Sick Leave? The 2026 State Threshold Map
A verified 2026 map of the employee headcount that triggers paid sick leave in all 21 mandated states, with accrual rates and annual caps.
Multi-State Paid Sick Leave Compliance: A 2026 Employer Playbook
How to run paid sick leave across multiple states without tripping the most-restrictive rule, local ordinances, or FMLA/PFML overlap.
Paid Sick Leave vs Short-Term Disability: Which Should Your Business Offer?
How statutory paid sick leave and private short-term disability insurance differ, where they overlap, and how state PFML changes the decision.
Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) by State in 2026: Employer Calculator Guide
The 13 mandatory PFML states plus DC for 2026, how each program is funded, and how to estimate benefits and contributions.
Paid Leave Accrual Rates by State: How to Compute What You Owe
The verified 2026 accrual-rate map for all mandated states, with worked examples and cap vs usage distinctions.
The 2026 Mid-Year Paid-Leave Data Review: What the Numbers Show
A data-driven look at the 2026 U.S. leave landscape — threshold convergence, 1:30 accrual dominance, and the three new PFML states — with editorial analysis.
COBRA Election & Premium Deadlines: The Exact Windows That
Every COBRA deadline is a hard calendar date. Learn the 60-day election window, 45-day initial premium rule, 30-day grace period, and the 14/30-day notice chain — with DOL and CMS citations.
Form I-9 Verification Timeline: Section 1, Section 2
The I-9 clock runs in business days, not calendar days. Master the Section 1 first-day rule, the Section 2 three-business-day deadline, retention math, and rehire/reverification windows — with USCIS and ICE citations.
FLSA Overtime Rules: The 40-Hour Workweek Explained
Why DayFig payroll calculators default the overtime threshold to 40 hours — the federal FLSA standard (1.5x over 40/week), with real citations, state daily-overtime differences, and honest limits.
Calculate Employment Tenure: Years of Service & Anniversary
A step-by-step method to compute exact employment tenure using date math, plus the real FMLA 12-month / 1,250-hour eligibility rule (29 CFR 825.110) — with official citations and a YMYL disclaimer.
Count Billable Days: Freelancer & Agency Guide (US)
Learn how to count billable days for US freelancers, consultants, and agencies: which days are billable, how holidays and PTO affect the count, and how to forecast annual billable capacity.
Full Retirement Age by Birth Year (SSA Table)
Look up your Social Security full retirement age by birth year (66 to 67), see why the exact month matters, and calculate your FRA birthday precisely with an age calculator.
Prorated Salary: Calculate Partial-Month Pay Correctly
Two methods to prorate salary for a partial month — calendar-day vs working-day — with a worked example and the exact day counts you need to avoid off-by-one errors.
Working Days in a Pay Period: Weekly to Monthly
How many working days fall in each pay-frequency type, why the count varies with weekends and holidays, and how to count a pay period exactly for payroll and capacity planning.
How US Companies Count Paid & Unpaid Working Days
Learn how US companies distinguish and count paid vs unpaid working days. Covers federal holidays, PTO, sick leave, and standard American payroll accounting methods.
US Hourly Payroll: Hours & Overtime Rules
Master US hourly payroll calculation with FLSA overtime rules, working hour standards, and business day counting. Essential for American small businesses and HR professionals.
US PTO Vacation Calculation Rules & Overlap Standards
Complete guide to US PTO and vacation calculation rules. Learn how to handle holiday overlaps, weekend counting, accrual rates, and American HR standards for paid time off tracking.
Per Diem & Travel
11 articlesGovernment Travel Reimbursement: A Practical 2026 Guide
How federal contractors and grantees should reimburse 2026 travel under GSA rates, the 75% rule, and the accountable-plan documentation standard.
Per Diem vs Actual Expenses: Which Reimbursement Method
Compare per diem allowances against actual expense reimbursement for U.S. business travel in 2026: tax treatment, paperwork, and the rules that govern each method.
The 75% Rule: How First and Last Travel Days Are Paid (2026)
The federal per diem 75% rule applies to M&IE — not lodging — on the first and last travel days. Exact FY2026 numbers, examples, and calculator guidance.
GSA Per-Locality Rates vs IRS High-Low: Which to Use for 2026
Choose between GSA per-city per diem rates and the IRS high-low substantiation method for FY2026: comparison table, pros and cons, and consistency rules.
Seasonal Per Diem Cities: When Lodging Caps Change by Month
Many GSA per diem cities change lodging caps by calendar month. See the biggest FY2026 swings and how to reimburse accurately.
Non-Standard Areas: Why 298 Cities Have Their Own Per Diem
GSA non-standard areas (NSAs) carry per diem rates above the standard CONUS rate. Learn how NSAs are set and how they change your reimbursement.
M&IE Tiers Explained: What Your $68–$92 Per Diem Covers
The five FY2026 GSA M&IE tiers split into breakfast, lunch, dinner, and incidentals. See exact amounts and when the split affects your reimbursement.
Multi-City Trip Per Diem: How to Calculate Mixed Destinations
Per diem across multiple cities: each night uses its city rate, first/last days get 75% M&IE. Worked example and high-low shortcut.
Per Diem and Taxes: Deductions, Accountable Plans
Per diem tax rules for 2026: accountable plans, W-2 treatment, the 50% meals limit, contractor deductions, and audit-ready record keeping.
Per Diem for Small Business: A Compliant 2026 Policy in 5
Set up a tax-compliant per diem policy for your U.S. small business: pick a rate method, write a 5-line policy, and keep payroll clean.
Per Diem by State 2026: Where Rates Are Highest (Full
FY2026 per diem by state: highest-rate states, top cities, M&IE tiers, and a complete directory of state hubs with official GSA rates.