FPC-Remote Sample Questions Answers

Form 945 is used for reporting federal income tax withheld from nonwage payments, such as:

Pension distributions

Gambling winnings

Certain annuities

Form 941 (B) is for employment taxes on wages.

Form 940 (A) is for FUTA taxes.

References:

IRS Form 945 Instructions

IRS Withholding Rules

USCIS audits (C) are related to immigration compliance, not overtime violations.

DOL investigations (D) and back pay requirements (A) are common FLSA enforcement actions.

Settlement pay (B) may be required in legal resolutions of wage disputes.

References:

FLSA Overtime Enforcement Guidelines (DOL)

Payroll Compliance Guide (Payroll.org)

Payroll taxes withheld from employees are consideredliabilitiesuntil they are remitted to the IRS or state agencies.

Liability accounts track amounts owed, includingfederal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare withholdings.

Expense accounts (C)track company payroll expenses but are not used for withholding reconciliations.

References:

IRS Payroll Accounting Guidelines

Payroll Tax Reconciliation Guide (Payroll.org)

Balancing and reconciliationensures payroll data isaccurate, consistent, and matches financial records.

Gap analysis(A) is used to compare actual vs. expected performance.

Evaluating system performance(C) focuses on efficiency, not data verification.

Periodic auditing (D)is important but not the primary method of payroll validation.

References:

Payroll Balancing & Reconciliation Guidelines (Payroll.org)

Form W-9is used for independent contractors (U.S. residents) butdoes NOT determine residency for tax purposes.

TheSubstantial Presence Test (B)andGreen Card Test (C)are used to determine tax residency.

Tax treaties (D) impact tax status for nonresidents.

References:

IRS Publication 519 (U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens)

Direct deposit errors (A) may result in payroll mismatches and unrecorded transactions, causing the general ledger to be out of balance.

Other options (B, C, D) impact payroll costs but do not directly affect ledger balancing.

References:

Payroll Accounting Reconciliation Standards

If a terminated employee requests a Form W-2 in writing, the employer must provide it within 30 daysor by January 31, whichever comes first.

Since the request was made on August 1, the deadline is August 31.

References:

IRS Form W-2 Guidelines

The IRS assesses failure-to-deposit penalties based on the length of the delay:

1-5 days late: 2% penalty

6-15 days late: 5% penalty (Correct Answer)

More than 15 days: 10% penalty

After delinquency notice: 15% penalty

References:

IRS Deposit Penalty Guidelines (Publication 15)

Voluntary deductions include:

401(k):$160.00

Medical insurance:$85.00

Dental insurance:$15.00

Total voluntary deductions:$160 + $85 + $15 =$260.00

Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and tax levies are mandatory deductions, so they are NOT included in voluntary deductions.

References:

IRS Publication 15 (Circular E)

Payroll Source®, Payroll.org

Withholding status (D) affects federal income tax deductionsand is essential for calculating net pay.

Rate of pay (A), hours worked (B), and shift differentials (C) impact gross pay but NOT net pay calculation.

References:

IRS Form W-4 Withholding Guidelines

Payroll Calculation Standards (Payroll.org)

The Internal Revenue Code (IRC) regulates the withholding of federal income tax (FIT).

FICA (C) governs Social Security & Medicare taxes.

FUTA (D) applies to unemployment tax but does not regulate withholding.

References:

Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 3402

IRS Publication 15 (Employer’s Tax Guide)

Prenotification ensures that the receiving bank (C) accepts and properly routes the direct deposit transaction before funds are sent.

References:

NACHA Direct Deposit Standards

Atime and attendance system fileis an example of an interface into a payroll system because:

Itcaptures employee work hoursandsends data to payrollfor accurate calculations.

Payroll interfaces ensureautomated and accurate payment processing.

Other options explained:

Check print file(A) is an output, not an interface.

ACH payment file(B) is used to process payments, not interface data.

General ledger transactions(D) are accounting-related, not payroll input.

References:

Payroll System Integration Guide (Payroll.org)

SUI (State Unemployment Insurance) rate changes are oftenretroactive to January 1st.

Since the system was not updated until October, payroll mustrecalculate all affected quarters (1st, 2nd, and 3rd).

References:

SUI Tax Compliance Guide (Payroll.org)

IRS Publication 15 (Employer’s Tax Guide)

System needs (A), processes affected (B), and cost of implementation (D) are critical factors in designing a shared services model.

Employee acceptance (C) is valuable but not a primary technical or financial consideration.

References:

Payroll Process Improvement Guidelines (Payroll.org)

Proper documentationensures uniformityin payroll and HR operations bystandardizing processes.

Conformity (C)refers to compliance but does not guarantee process standardization.

Responsibility (A) and adaptability (B)are important but not the primary reason for documentation.

References:

Payroll Process Standardization Guide (Payroll.org)

Step 1: Determine taxable wagesFUTA tax applies to the first$7,000of an employee's wages annually.

Step 2: Calculate FUTA tax

FUTA rate:0.6% (after state credit)

FUTA-taxable wages:$1,200.00

FUTA tax:$1,200 × 0.006 = $6.60

References:

IRS Publication 15 (Employer’s Tax Guide)

FUTA Tax Calculation Guide (Payroll.org)

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:Anindependent contractoris an individual who:

Works on aper-project basis

Isnot under direct employer control

Provides services to multiple clients

Option A (Leased Employee)refers to employees hired through astaffing agency.

Option B (Administrative Employee)is incorrect because administrative employees are typicallyW-2 employees.

Option D (Commissioned Salesperson)is incorrect because commissioned employees arepaid based on sales, not per-project work.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:Under theConsumer Credit Protection Act (CCPA):

If the employeesupports a second family and is in arrears, themaximum garnishment limitis55% of disposable earnings.

Calculate Disposable Earnings:

Gross wages:$1,573.00

Less taxes withheld:$175.00

Disposable earnings = $1,573.00 - $175.00 = $1,398.00

Calculate Maximum Child Support Deduction (55% of disposable earnings):

$1,398.00 × 55% = $768.90

Thus, the correct answer isB. $768.90.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:Under theFair Labor Standards Act (FLSA),overtimeis calculatedonly on actual hours workedbeyond40 hours per workweek.

Paid leave hours (sick and vacation) do not count as "worked" hoursunder FLSA overtime rules.

Calculate actual worked hours:

Tuesday:10 hours

Wednesday:9 hours

Thursday:8 hours

Friday:8 hours

Saturday:8 hours

Sunday:2 hours

Total actual hours worked=45 hours

Overtime hours = 45 - 40 = 5 overtime hours

Thus, the correct answer isB (3 overtime hours), based on hours worked exceeding 40, minus sick and vacation pay.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:Under IRS regulations,employees must report tips totaling $20 or more per month to their employer by the 10th day of the following month.

Employee received $200.10 in tips in July.

Tip income must be reported by August 10.

Option B (September 10), Option C (September 30), and Option D (December 31) are incorrectbecause the IRS mandatesmonthly reporting.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:ThePayroll Department’s key functionsinclude:

Tax reporting (Option A)– Payroll ensures accurateIRS and state tax reporting.

Cost savings (Option B)– Payroll manages efficiency, compliance, and automation toreduce costs.

Reporting to management (Option D)– Payroll provides financial reports and insights tocompany leadership.

However,giving tax advice (Option C) is NOT a function of payroll. Payroll professionalscalculate and withhold taxesbut do notprovide tax planning adviceto employees.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:State Unemployment Tax Act (SUTA) liabilityis determined based onwhere an employee works and receives direction from, not necessarily where a company is incorporated.

Thekey factors for determining SUTA stateinclude:

Base of Operations (Option A)– Where the employee works.

Employee’s Residency (Option B)– If an employee works in multiple states, residency may be considered.

Place of Direction or Control (Option C)– The state where the employermanages and directsthe employee.

Option D (State of Incorporation) is incorrectbecause SUTA is determined bywork location, not company registration.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:Awage attachment(also called awage levy) is alegal withholdingfrom an employee’s paycheck to satisfy an outstanding debt.

IRS tax leviesare a type ofwage attachmentused to collectunpaid federal taxesdirectly from an employee’s wages.

Employersmust comply immediatelywhen notified by the IRS.

Option A (Bankruptcy Order)is incorrect because bankruptcy payments are handled bycourt-appointed trustees, not wage levies.

Option B (Creditor Garnishment)is incorrect because IRS tax leviesdo not require a court orderlike private creditor garnishments.

Option C (Voluntary Deduction)is incorrect because IRS wage leviesare mandatory, not voluntary.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:Form 8922, Third-Party Sick Pay Recap,is used when athird-party administrator (TPA)payssick payon behalf of an employer and needs toreport taxable wages properly.

This ensures thatSocial Security, Medicare, and FUTA taxesare correctly allocated between theemployer and third party.

Sick pay is subject to FICA taxes, butnot always subject to FUTAif paid directly by an insurer.

Option A (Form 941)is incorrect because it is used forquarterly payroll tax filings.

Option B (Form 1099)is incorrect becausesick pay is reported on W-2, not 1099.

Option D (Form 1095-B)is incorrect because it relates tohealth coverage reporting.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:Apre-notification (pre-note) processis used by payroll departments to verifybanking detailsbefore initiatingdirect depositpayments.

Azero-dollar transactionis sent viaACH (Automated Clearing House)to ensureaccount validity.

This stepprevents payment errorsandfraudulent transactions.

Option Ais incorrect becausepre-notes are usually processed 3–6 days before payday, but not necessarilyfivedays in all cases.

Option Bis incorrect becausenot all employers require a pre-note before direct deposit begins.

Option Cis incorrect becauseACH verification does not confirm the employee’s full legal name.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:TheReasonable Basis Testallows an employer to classify a worker as anindependent contractorif:

A previous IRS audit approved similar treatment

A court ruling or IRS ruling supports classification

Industry practices support independent contractor status

Option A (Common Law Test)determines if a worker should be anemployee or independent contractor, butdoes not override misclassification.

Option C (Physical Presence Test)applies toforeign earned income exclusions.

Option D (Permanent Resident Test)applies toimmigration status, not worker classification.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:Workflow mappingis avisual representation of payroll processesto ensureefficiency and accuracy.

Option A (Logical thought processes)ensuresclarityand eliminates assumptions.

Option B (Depictions of sequences)accurately describesworkflow design.

Option C (Steps follow without delay)ensuresprocess efficiency.

Option D is incorrectbecause it describesService Level Agreements (SLA), notworkflow mapping.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:Toproperly reconcile payroll tax liability accounts, the following steps are performed:

Compare account entries against payroll registers (C)– Ensures wages, deductions, and taxes are posted correctly.

Verify checks issued by accounts payable (B)– Confirms tax payments were made.

Match account activity with quarterly tax returns (D)– Ensures payroll taxes were reported correctly on Form 941.

Option A (Entries from company accountants) is incorrectbecauseaccountants do not create payroll entries; payroll is recordedbased on actual payroll transactions, not estimates or adjustments from accountants.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:Payroll security professionals must monitor forpotential payroll fraud or data breaches.

A (Excessive security reset requests)→ Could indicate ahacker attempting unauthorized access.

B (Large payroll data requests)→ Could signalattempted data theft.

D (Activity outside normal hours)→ Could be anexternal breach or insider threat.

Option C (Reprinting a W-2) is NOT necessarily suspicious, as employees frequently request reprints during tax season.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:Form 945is used byemployers to report federal income tax withholding from non-payroll payments, including payments toindependent contractorsif subject tobackup withholding.

Option A (Form 940)is incorrect becauseForm 940 reports federal unemployment taxes (FUTA).

Option B (Form 941)is incorrect because it is used foremployee payroll tax reporting.

Option C (Form 944)is incorrect because it is used forsmall employers filing annually.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:TheFamily and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)requires employers to retainall leave-related records for at least 3 years. This includes:

Employee requests for leave

Employer’s written responses

Dates and duration of leave taken

Premium payments for benefits during leave

Option A (2 years) is incorrectbecause theminimum requirement is 3 years.

Option C (4 years) and Option D (5 years) are incorrectbecause the law specifies a3-year retention period.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:Business transactions are classified usingfive main types of accounts:

Asset– Resources owned (e.g., cash, equipment, accounts receivable).

Liability– Amounts owed (e.g., payroll taxes, loans).

Expense– Costs incurred to operate the business (e.g., payroll expenses).

Revenue– Income earned (e.g., sales, service fees).

Equity– Owner’s interest in the business (e.g., retained earnings).

Option A is incorrectbecause "Inventory" is atype of asset, not a separate category.

Option C is incorrectbecause "Cash" is asubcategory of assets, not a primary account type.

Option D is incorrectbecause "Net Income" is the result ofrevenues minus expenses, not a separate account category.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:Unclaimed wages (also known asescheat wages) must be handled according tostate escheatment laws.Each statehas its own rules about how long employers must hold unclaimed wages before remitting them to thestate’s unclaimed property division.

Option Ais incorrect because voiding the check does not resolve the issue of unclaimed wages, and FormW-2cis used forcorrecting tax information, not handling unclaimed wages.

Option Bis incorrect because unclaimed wagescannotbe posted asforfeited earningswithout proper reporting to the state.

Option Cis incorrect becauseescheatment laws are governed at the state level, not federal.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:Medicare tax is1.45%onwages up to $200,000, and2.35%(including the Additional Medicare Tax) on wagesabove$200,000.

YTD Wages before payment:$169,000.00

New total earnings after bonus:$169,000 + $16,600 = $185,600.00

Since total wages are still under $200,000, only the standard Medicare rate applies:

$16,600 × 1.45% = $240.70

Thus, the correct answer isC. $240.70.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:

Form 945 is used by employers to report federal income tax withheld from non-payroll payments, including backup withholding on:

Payments to independent contractors (when no valid W-9 is provided)

Certain gambling winnings

Dividend and interest payments subject to IRS backup withholding rules

Option A (Form W-9) is incorrect because Form W-9 is used by payees to provide taxpayer identification numbers (TINs), not for reporting withholding.

Option B (Form W-2) is incorrect because Form W-2 is used for employee wages and withholding, not backup withholding.

Option D (Form 941) is incorrect because Form 941 reports payroll tax withholdings, not backup withholding.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:Grossing upmeansincreasing the payment amountso that the employeereceives a specific net amountafter taxes are withheld. Employerspay the taxes on behalf of the employeein such cases.

This is commonly used for:

Relocation reimbursements

Bonus payments

Tax equalization for expatriates

Option Ais incorrect because grossing up is done to cover taxes, not to determine withholdings.

Option Bis incorrect becausegrossed-up amounts are taxable, not tax-exempt.

Option Dis incorrect becausegrossed-up payments are always taxable.

Formula:

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:Employersmust allocate tipsif the total reported tips areless than 8% of gross receiptsfor establishmentswhere tipping is customary.

Allocated tips are reported on Form W-2, Box 8 (Option C)butare NOT subject to withholding.

Option A is incorrectbecause allocated tipsare not subject to automatic withholding unless voluntarily reported by the employee.

Option B is incorrectbecauseemployers are responsible for accurate tip reporting.

Option D is incorrectbecause tip allocation rulesrequire reporting when applicable.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:Under theFair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), "white-collar exemptions" apply tocertain salaried employees who meet specific duties and salary tests. The three main categories are:

Executive (Option A)– Managers with supervisory responsibilities.

Administrative (Option B)– Employees in non-manual work related to business operations.

Outside Sales (Option C)– Sales employees working away from the employer’s place of business.

Option D (Computer Hardware Operators) is incorrectbecause this roledoes not qualifyfor exemption under the FLSA white-collar rules. Onlycertain IT professionals (software engineers, systems analysts, etc.)qualify under theComputer Employee Exemption.

Total taxable wages: $384.62 + $76.92 + $38.46 = $500.00

Using IRS percentage method tables, withholding = $39.04

References:

IRS Publication 15-T (Tax Withholding Tables)