As it begins a second year of collecting a tax from employers to fund a soon-to-launch state benefit program, a state agency announced that it will not make any changes to the contribution rate or maximum weekly benefit for the next year.
Gov. Charlie Baker made quick work of the bill imposing a three-month delay to the start of a payroll tax to fund paid family and medical leave benefits for all Massachusetts workers, signing it within 90 minutes of its final legislative vote.
State government should approve a three-month delay in payroll taxes needed to fund the new paid family and medical leave program, according to a coalition of business, labor and social justice groups.
Companies that offer workers a family and medical leave plan that is at least as generous as the benefits that will be provided by the new state program can now apply for an exemption from the payroll tax contributions the state plans to begin collecting July 1.
Employers that already offer paid leave benefits to their workers will be able to apply beginning next month for an exemption from having to collect, remit and pay the new tax intended to fund a state paid family and medical leave program.
