July Newsletter 
President's Report
Camaraderie – Community – Connection
What payroll treasure are you looking for? Is it growing your payroll connections? I remember in my last job search, not thinking about WHERE I wanted to work, but WHO I wanted to work with. To prepare for my CPP exam, I took our Study Group. During one of the sessions I remember thinking about the instructor, “she’s kind of crazy. I LIKE that! She must be fun to work with.” As it turns out, eight years later I work with her everyday (and yes, she’s a blast to work with)!
Whether you’re looking to make new connections, build your “phone-a-friend” group when that strange payroll situation pops up, or you simply want to be part of a community, you can find it here…at the WMAC. It’s the place to be!
Yours in Payroll,
Cristen
Government Liaison Report
Georgia
Georgia Implements Flat Tax Rate and Higher Standard Deduction
Georgia has reduced its individual income tax rate to a flat 4.99%, a change enacted through HB 463, which was signed by Gov. Brian Kemp on May 11. The legislation took effect immediately and applies retroactively to January 1. According to the Georgia Department of Revenue, employers may begin using the 4.99% rate for periods starting May 11.
The law also increases the state’s standard deduction to $15,000 for single taxpayers, heads of household, and married individuals filing separately, and to $30,000 for married couples filing jointly. These updates are expected to streamline withholding and expand tax relief for workers across the state.
Georgia Tips and Overtime Deduction
HB 463 introduces new employee income deduction provisions beginning in tax year 2026. The bill permits taxpayers to deduct up to $1,750 in qualified overtime pay and $1,750 in cash tips, using the definitions established in the Internal Revenue Code, for tax years 2026–2028.
Employers must report to the state the total amounts of qualified overtime compensation and cash tips paid during each withholding return period, along with the number of employees who received each type of payment. For 2026 only, employers may submit this information in a single year end report rather than reporting it each period.
U.S. Virgin Islands
The U.S. Virgin Islands has fully repaid its outstanding federal unemployment account loans.
Assuming no additional borrowing occurs during FY 2026, the Virgin Islands will:
• Eliminate FUTA credit reductions for employers in 2026;
• Avoid the need for a federal Benefit Cost Rate (BCR) waiver; and
• Restore full solvency to the Virgin Islands Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund.
More information can be found on the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Labor website.
Virginia
Enacts Paid Family and Medical Leave Program
On April 22, 2026, Governor Abigail D. Spanberger signed legislation creating Virginia’s Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program, a statewide benefit launching in 2028. The new law will provide up to 12 weeks of paid, job protected leave for major family and medical events, including welcoming a child, caring for a seriously ill family member, addressing military related needs, or managing situations involving domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
The program will be administered by the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) and funded through a shared payroll contribution from covered employers and employees. Contribution collection begins April 1, 2028, and benefits become available December 1, 2028, extending coverage to nearly all workers in the Commonwealth.
State leaders emphasized the program’s role in strengthening family financial stability, supporting workforce participation, and providing employers with a consistent statewide framework for leave administration.
The VEC will release additional guidance, including contribution rates and implementation details, as the rollout progresses.
2027 Social Security Wage Base Projections
The Social Security Trustees’ 2026 Annual Report, released June 9, provides updated financial projections for the program. Under the board’s intermediate assumptions, the 2027 Social Security wage base is projected at $190,200, up from $184,500 in 2026, with the wage base expected to reach $267,000 by 2035.
The official 2027 wage base announcement is anticipated in mid October.
These figures reflect current law provisions and serve only as indicators of expected trends; they do not account for potential future legislative changes.
Member Spotlight
Get to Know Alex Kolos
Who do you work for and what is your current position?
I currently work for Koniag Government Services as a Payroll Clerk, where I support full-cycle payroll operations in high-volume, multi-state government contracting environment.
How long have you been in payroll?
I’ve been working in payroll for about 6 years; I started out in an HR/payroll role and gradually grew into more specialized positions.
Are you a CPP/FPC? If so, when did you receive your certification and what method of study did you use?
Yes, I earned my CPP certification in April 2023. I prepared using a combination of PayrollOrg study materials, structured study group “Pay Train” through PG County College, and hands-on experience, which really helped reinforce complex topics.
Why are you a member of the WMAC? What was the draw to the WMAC?
I joined WMAC to connect with other payroll professionals and stay informed about industry changes. The opportunity to network, learn, and share best practices was a major draw.
How long have you been a member?
I’m a newer member of the chapter, I joined WMAC last May.
What do you love the most about your job?
What I value most about my role is the direct impact payroll has on employees, along with the opportunity to collaborate across multiple departments and work within a strong, supportive team.
How do you stay current on payroll laws?
I stay current by attending webinars, participating in chapter meetings, subscribing to payroll newsletters, and applying compliance knowledge daily in a multi-state payroll environment.
Are there any unique challenges associated with doing the payroll for your company?
Yes—managing multi-state payroll compliance and keeping up with changing tax laws and regulations can be pretty complex, especially with a more remote workforce. A big part of the challenge is also making sure timesheets are accurate and that labor distribution and cost reporting are handled correctly.
Have you participated in any of the community outreach activities, if so what and why?
I am interested in becoming more involved in WMAC community outreach initiatives, as I value opportunities to give back while connecting with others in the payroll community.
Do you volunteer with any other organizations, if so who and what do you do?
Yes, I volunteer as a Treasurer for a local Polish School, where I help manage finances and support day-to-day operations.
What has been your greatest accomplishment (in your career or personal) up to this point?
Earning my CPP and SHRM-CP certifications is one of my proudest achievements, as well as my volunteer work as Treasurer for a local Polish School. Personally, staying active helps me manage stress and supports my ongoing growth.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
In my spare time, I enjoy relaxing with a good book and staying active through group exercise.
APA Congress Recap
Congratulations WMAC on 2026 Chapter Awards!!!
1st Place - Chapter Pictorial
2026 Best Website - Honorable Mention
WMAC Attendees!
WMAC Chapter Contests
Three Contests for 2026!
Golden Ticket – The more you do, the more chances you have to win!
What is Payroll’s Golden Ticket? It is a program where you earn a chance for a drawing that will be held on July 31st.
What is the prize? 2 Winners! The Grand Prize will be a complete 2026 Virginia Statewide Payroll Conference Registration and 2 night hotel stay. The runner up will receive a free registration (only) to the 2026 Virginia Statewide Payroll Conference.
What qualifies to receive a ticket? Each WMAC qualified event that you attend. The following events will receive tickets:
• Chapter Meetings
o February, 2025 – 3 Tickets
o April, 2025 – 3 Tickets
o June, 2025 – 3 Tickets
• Community Outreach Event – 3 Tickets
• Passing the CPP/FPC Exam – 6 Tickets
• CPP/FPC (including Cram/Calc) Facilitators – 4 Tickets
• Workforce Development Class (WDC) – 3 Tickets
• Full Day Classes – 4 Tickets
• Planning Meetings – 4 Tickets
• Call for Volunteers – 4 Tickets
• Approved Social Media Post (Promoting WMAC) – 1 Ticket per post
• Attending the Summer Study Group – 5 Tickets
• Online Donation to 2026 Charity – at every $50 mark, an additional ticket is earned – $1-50 is 1 Ticket, $51-100 is an additional ticket, $101 – 150, is an additional ticket, etc.
How are tickets kept? Tickets are tracked by the chapter. In order for you to receive a ticket(s), you must register online for the event. These are not actual physical tickets.
What if I want to know how many tickets I have? You can send an email to [email protected] requesting your current balance.
How is the drawing administered? On July 31st, we will draw names from ticket submissions of participating members. Keep in mind, the more you participate during the eligibility period (January 1, 2026 – July 2026), the more chances you have to win!
Who is eligible to win? All active WMAC Members, including the Board and Committee Chairs. Tickets can be awarded at each event; however, you have to be an active member as of July 31st in order to include your tickets in the drawing.
Please send any questions to [email protected]
WMAC – “X” Marks the Spot Payroll Trivia Treasure
Starting in February and running until November, we will be sending out monthly Trivia Questions on topics that make us…US. Topics like Payroll, DC History, and the WMAC. There will also be hidden questions in our Newsletters for Extra Points!
The Prize? A FREE REGISTRATION for PayrollOrg’s 2027 Virtual Congress!
Help get more people to join our Organization!
For each new member you get to join the WMAC, you get a $5 coupon to meeting/class registrations. The new member also receives $25 off of one meeting registration to be used in 2026. If this person was a member previously, their membership has to be expired for 3 years (2023). The referring member will also receive an entry into a drawing for a Cash Prize of $200. There will also be a $50 prize for the MOST referrals. This contest opens at the February Chapter Meeting and runs through the last day of National Payroll Week (9/11/2026). The winner will be announced at the December Chapter Meeting. This contest is open to all members of the WMAC.
Community Outreach
Second Story is still seeking donations to help those in our community. See their Amazon Wish List, a new way for you to support this important organization! Please see their website for the link.
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The 2026 WMAC Charity is Second Story Second Story transforms the lives of children, youth and their families by providing safe havens and opportunities for them to grow and thrive. Their programs provide support at critical turning points in their lives. Second Story for Homeless Youth and Second Story for Young Mothers offer long-term housing as well as life skills support, counseling, and assistance with basic needs. Second Story for Teens in Crisis provides a short-term place to stay for youth in crisis, plus individual and family counseling. Second Story in the Community provides drop-in centers for families and after-school programs for youth who need more support outside their homes; many of them living in communities where human trafficking, violence, and gang activity are prevalent. Though these safe spaces are the first step, they also work closely with youth and families to help them achieve their goals and work toward self-sufficiency, breaking cycles of homelessness, abuse, and poverty. All of their programs are located in Northern Virginia, though depending on the circumstance youth outside of our community can receive support as well. Find out more about Second Story here. Fundraising Goal: For 2026, WMAC has set a fundraising goal of $3000.00 WMAC will match all donations made to Second Story through our website. Click here to be taken to the donations page. Thank you for your continued support of WMAC Charities! |
Virginia Statewide Payroll Conference
2026 Virginia Statewide Payroll Conference Returns to Northern Virginia!
Join Us October 1–2, 2026 at the Fairview Marriott in Falls Church, VA
We are thrilled to announce that the Virginia Statewide Payroll Conference (VSPC) is making its much-anticipated return to Northern Virginia in 2026! Mark your calendars for October 1–2, 2026, as payroll professionals from across the region gather at the beautiful Fairview Marriott in Falls Church, VA for two days of networking, education, and professional growth.
Reserve Your Spot—Early Registration Now Open!
Take advantage of early registration for just $500. Secure your place today and be part of the premier event for payroll professionals in Virginia. Visit https://vspc-apa.com/ to register and learn more about the event schedule, keynote speakers, and session offerings.
Comfortable Accommodations at a Great Rate
Conference attendees can enjoy special room rates of $159 per night (plus taxes) at the Fairview Marriott. This beautiful venue offers outstanding amenities and a convenient location for all our guests.
Parking Made Easy
Complimentary self-parking is available for all attendees, making your arrival and departure hassle-free. Please note that a fee applies for valet parking services.
Let’s Represent WMAC Payroll Professionals!
We’re calling on all WMAC payroll professionals to join us and make a strong showing at this year’s conference. This is your opportunity to connect with peers, expand your knowledge, and contribute to the vibrant payroll community in our region.
Don’t miss out—register early, book your accommodations, and get ready for an unforgettable experience at the 2026 Virginia Statewide Payroll Conference. We can’t wait to see you in Falls Church!
WMAC Upcoming Events
Virtual Chapter Meeting - Aug 13th
8:30 AM to 10:30 AM
Topic : Top 10 Focus Areas for Payroll Professionals in 2026
Featuring Speaker: Linda Obertin, CPP
Day of Calculations - August 15th
9:00 AM to 2:00 PM - In Person
Fairfax County Government Building
