Improvements
- ESS Updates
- FITW Claim Dependents Amounts
Improvements
ESS Updates
We've transitioned our Employee Self-Service (ESS) to a Progressive Web App (PWA) to deliver a more secure experience. One of the key enhancements is the introduction of two-factor authentication (2FA), which adds an important layer of security.
More Info: Learn more about Two Factor Authentication (ESS).
More Info: Learn more about 2FA at Checkwriters with our 2FA Guide.
For companies using our web clock with mobile punch-in enabled, employees will now be prompted to punch in immediately upon logging in.
Important: The biometric login feature is not available following the initial release of ESS 2FA. We recognize how valuable this functionality was for many users and are actively exploring options to reintroduce it in a future update.
Until this update, visit our Remember Login Credentials (ESS) steps to speed up the login process.
FITW Claim Dependents Amounts
We have updated the functionality of the Claim Dependents section of the Federal Income Tax Withholding (FITW).
We have added additional fields to match the boxes in the "Step 3: Claim Dependents and Other Credits" section of Form W-4. Previously, there was only one field for the Total Dependent Amount. The new fields are:
- Multiply the number of qualifying children under age 17 by $2000
- Multiply the number of other dependents by $500
- Other Tax Credits
- This field is not part of Form W-4. Box 3 of Form W-4 captures the total of "qualifying children", "other dependents", and "any other credits". Our Other Tax Credits field accounts for the addition of "any other credits" to calculate the Total Dependent Amount, which directly correlates to the total in Box 3 of Form W-4.
Now, the Total Dependent Amount (Box 3 on Form W-4) is automatically calculated by combining the totals of the three fields.
Important: It is best practice for employees to complete all three fields in Step 3 of Form W-4 to ensure their information can be accurately entered into Checkwriters. In the example below, the Checkwriters Claim Dependents section is completed to match the W-4.
If employees do not complete all three fields in Step 3 and only provide a total credit amount, enter the full amount in the Other Tax Credits field.
Affected Pages
This change applies to the following pages within Checkwriters:
- HR Admin → Hire Employees → Add New Employee
- HR Admin → Hire Employees → Rehire Employee
- HR Admin → Employee Center → select
Employee → Payroll (tab) → Tax (tab) - Payroll → Employee Center → select Employee → Payroll (tab) → Tax (tab)
- Payroll → Edit Employee → Taxes
Note: If your company uses Employee Import, the specsheet has been updated to reflect this change.