Greetings GMA SHRM Members –

Our chapter is successful for a number of reasons, but a primary one is the support of our corporate partners.  As we move into 2018, I wanted to take time to recognize all of our new partners for our chapter and ask that you show them your support in the coming year.  You’ll see some at PDS events with their booth set-up – stop by and say hi.  Thank you from all of us, to the new and continuing partners below:
Gold Level

Boardman & Clark Law Firm
Career Momentum
Godfrey & Kahn
Hausmann-Johnson Insurance Group
The Payroll Company
Remedy Intelligent Staffing
UW School of Business - CPED

Silver Level

Bunbury & Associates
M3 Insurance

Bronze Level

The Alliance
Edgewood College
Express Employment Professionals
First Weber Relocation Services
Quartz
The QTI Group
Restaino & Associates Relocation
Summit Credit Union

Would you like an extra $1,000 for your own development?  Our professional award application period is now open!  To apply, you only need to write a one-page statement on what you’ll use the money for, submit your current resume and list of volunteer activities.  You can use the money towards a graduate program, attendance at a National or State SHRM Conference, support of certification or re-certification or certificate programs in business or human resources related discipline.  We’ve made the application process as simple and painless as possible to encourage applicants.  Apply today – the window closes April 13.
 
Our GMA Board of Directors and guests met in mid-January for our annual Strategic Planning event.  We had a great day discussing and brainstorming for the future of GMA, what we’re doing well and can continue to improve and identifying our focus areas for the coming year.  We have made investments in our chapter and members by bringing nationally recognized speakers to our Human Capital Conference, changing the structure of our PDS events and have made some changes to our partnership program.  We spent time at our Strategic Planning Day to reflect on these changes, how they’ve impacted us and what we can continue to do to bring the most value to our members and partners.  As HR Professionals, we can all relate that often times our eyes and ideas are bigger than the time we have to accomplish them in a year.  We’re focusing in on three main areas this year, which will allow us to continue to better serve our membership, partners and community.  We’ll share more details as they are finalized, but once again, I am proud to be a member of GMA SHRM and serve this great organization.
 
This is also the time of year where we start focusing on our succession plan for our next term starting in July. While we have a fantastic board and many plan on staying in their role we will always have at least one opening on the board as we fill the role of President-Elect. We have found it works best to grow and promote from within. Each year, we look at our current chairs, coordinators and active members who might be interested in taking that next step.  These individuals truly see the benefits of what they are doing by volunteering and want to continue to give back to the chapter and the HR profession. They see all of the great things we as a chapter are doing and want to be a part of it.  Please reach out to me if you’d like to get more involved and serve on the board – it’s a great opportunity for development, giving back to the community and serving our profession!  I am continually amazed by all the remarkable volunteers that we have in GMA SHRM.  It is truly one of the core reasons we are as successful as a chapter and one that other chapters look to for guidance and leadership. Our volunteers have true passion for their profession, our chapter and our community. If you are ever interested in volunteering, but just don’t know how to get started, please reach out to me or any board member and we will be happy to find your perfect role.  If you are contemplating that next role as a board member, please reach out to me or any board member and have a “no-strings attached” conversation on what involvement at the board level entails.
 
We are again sponsoring the Day on the Hill event which is on February 21^st, with a cocktail reception the night of February 20^th.  This is a unique opportunity to learn more about legislative issues, networking with colleagues around the state, and the opportunity to make an impact prior to the end of the current legislative session. 
 
I hope to see you at an upcoming PDS, GMA Revealed or our Human Capital Conference.  As always, please reach out with any questions, comments or feedback!

Best Wishes,

Melissa Chadwick
President
GMA SHRM

Click here to view the full GMA SHRM Board of Directors

 

IRS Issues New Withholding Tables for 2018 

Employers should make adjustments by Feb. 15; workers need not resubmit Form W-4
(Published by SHRM – 1.12.18 by Stephen Miller, CEBS)

The Internal Revenue Service on Jan. 11 released Notice 1036, which contains updated income-tax withholding tables for 2018 that reflect changes made by the tax reform law enacted at the end of December. The IRS also posted a set of Withholding Tables Frequently Asked Questions.
 
Employers should begin using the 2018 withholding tables as soon as possible but not later than Feb. 15, 2018, the IRS said. HR compensation and payroll managers should work with their internal payroll departments and payroll vendors to ensure that their systems are appropriately adjusted in light of the IRS guidance. Employers should continue to use the 2017 withholding tables until implementing the 2018 withholding tables.

The updated withholding information shows the new rates for employers to use during 2018 and reflects the increase in the standard deduction, repeal of personal exemptions and changes in tax rates and income brackets. For employees with simpler tax situations, the new tables are designed to produce the correct amount of tax withholding, avoiding over- and under-withholding of tax as much as possible.
Ninety percent of wage earners will see increases in their paychecks under the new withholding rates, the Trump administration has said. The time it will take for employees to see the changes in their paychecks will vary depending on how quickly the new tables are implemented by their employers and how often they are paid—weekly, biweekly or monthly—the IRS noted.

Revised Form W-4 in the Works
The new withholding tables are designed to work with the current Form W-4, Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate, that workers have already filed with their employers to claim withholding allowances. "Until a new Form W-4 is issued, employees and employers should continue to use the 2017 Form W-4," the IRS said. This will minimize burden on taxpayers and employers, as "employees do not have to do anything at this time."
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told the Washington Post, "We had an existing form. We had existing technology. We had to figure out how to fit this in this format."
The IRS, however, is working on revising Form W-4 to reflect changes in the new law regarding available itemized deductions, increases in the child tax credit, the new dependent credit and repeal of dependent exemptions. The new Form W-4 is expected to be issued "soon," the IRS said.

Withholding Calculator to Be Adjusted
To help employees determine their optimal withholding, the IRS is revising the withholding tax calculator on IRS.gov. The IRS anticipates this calculator should be available by the end of February.
While employees are not required to take any extra steps, the revised calculator can help them to review their adjusted withholding to make sure that it reflects their needs, so they can alter their withholding if necessary. For instance:

• Employees with itemized deductions may want to lower the amount being withheld.

• Employees with taxable income from investments may choose to withhold more.

"Having the correct amount withheld from paychecks helps to ensure that taxpayers don't pay too much tax during the year—and that they have money upfront rather than waiting for a bigger refund after filing their tax return," the IRS said. Most people are over-withheld on their taxes, meaning that more taxes are held out of their paychecks than what they owe, the IRS noted.

2018 Income Tax Rates and Brackets
The 2017 tax act changed the tax rates and income ranges to which the rates apply. The level of income that is subject to a higher tax bracket can influence a number of decisions by employees, including how much salary to defer into a traditional 401(k) plan, which reduces taxable income for a given year by the amount contributed, or whether to participate in a nonqualified deferred income plan, if that option is available through the employer.
The chart below shows 2018 versus 2017 tax rates and income brackets for single filers and married couples filing jointly (additional income tax rates and brackets can be viewed here):
 

2018 Tax Rate	Single	Married Filing Jointly
10%	$0 to $9,525	$0 to $19,050
12%	$9,525 to $38,700	$19,050 to $77,400
22%	$38,700 to $82,500	$77,400 to $165,000
24%	$82,500 to $157,500	$165,000 to $315,000
32%	$157,500 to $200,000	$315,000 to $400,000
35%	$200,000 to $500,000	$400,000 to $600,000
37%	Over $500,000	Over $600,000

 
As compared with:

2017 Tax Rate	Single	Married Filing Jointly
10%	$0 to $9,325	$0 to $18,650
15%	$9,325 to $37,950	$18,650 to $75,900
25%	$37,950 to $91,900	$75,900 to $153,100
28%	$91,900 to $191,650	$153,100 to $233,350
33%	$191,650 to $416,700	$233,350 to $416,700
35%	$416,700 to $418,400	$416,700 to $470,700
39.6%	Over $418,400	Over $470,700

 
The 2017 tax act also made the following income tax adjustments for 2018:

• The deduction for personal exemptions, which had been $4,050 for 2017, is suspended.

• The standard deduction for single taxpayers and married taxpayers filing separately rises to $12,000 from $6,350.

• The standard deduction for married taxpayers filing joint returns rises to $24,000 from $12,700.

• The standard deduction for heads of household rises to $18,000 from $9,350.

Going Forward
The IRS said it will work with the business and payroll community to encourage workers to file new Forms W-4 next year and to share information on changes in the new tax law that impact withholding.
"The IRS appreciates the help from the payroll community working with us on these important changes," said Acting IRS Commissioner David Kautter in a statement. "Payroll withholding can be complicated, and the needs of taxpayers vary based on their personal financial situation. In the weeks ahead, the IRS will be providing more information to help people understand and review these changes."


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Compensation & Benefits

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Professional Development

 
Do you LOVE social media & marketing?  Consider JOINING the Media Relations Committee and help GMA SHRM spread the HR love on social media -
 
Email brittanyh@seniorhelpers.com to learn more, and dial into a Media Relations Committee Conference Call meeting to get a glimpse of this neat volunteer opportunity (next meeting = Friday March 2nd) 

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A New Way to Network: SHRM #Nextchat

Submitted by:  Jeff Palkowski, Director of Government Affairs GMA SHRM and SHRM Advocacy Captain (Wisconsin 1st CD)
  
Are you looking for a way to network with human resources professionals from across the globe from your computer or smartphone?  If so, give SHRM’s #NextChat a try.
 
SHRM #NextChat is an online forum on Twitter that allows anyone to participate in a lively, online discussion about a specific, HR-related topic.  SHRM #NextChat is hosted by Mary Kaylor of SHRM Public Affairs on Wednesdays at 2pm CT as a “Twitter chat” and is archived on the SHRM Blog at www.blog.shrm.org
 
Each week, a topic is identified and a facilitator is named to manage the chat.  Recent topics have included:  Employee Terminations, Talent Acquisition, Career Planning, and Holidays in the Workplace.  Facilitators have been employment attorneys, chief human resources officers, and other industry experts.
 
Typically, eight questions are identified and available to view on the SHRM Blog in advance of the event, allowing participants to prepare their responses in advance of the chat.  At the designated time, participants log into Twitter and search #NextChat to view each question and related responses from those that are participating.  Real time responses can be made to the facilitator and respondents using #NextChat, which usually results in a lively discussion between all participants.
 
After each completed SHRM #NextChat, SHRM compiles a recap of the event on the SHRM Blog for those that were not able to participate real-time.  Connections made during the SHRM #NextChat often continue on Twitter as many HR professionals follow each other to further connect and network.
 
SHRM #NextChat discussions often include participants from the United Kingdom, India, New Zealand, Canada as well as the United States; offering global perspectives on a variety of HR issues.  If you are looking for a different way to connect with HR professionals around the world, try viewing and participating in the next SHRM #NextChat on Twitter. 
 

Welcome New Members!

GMA SHRM welcomes the following members who joined our chapter in December 2017!

Rachel	Ackerman	Sub-Zero Group, Inc.
Keri	Braithwaite	Express Employment Professionals
Amy	Carrick	Mindfull HR LLC
Jasmine	Fill	Turville Bay MRI & Radiation Oncology Center
Shannon	Higgins	Smart Solutions
Deanna	Kinney-Smith	UW Health
Beth	Koerber	Wisconsin Legislative Audit Bureau
Molly	Lenzendorf	Promega
Diana	Peterson	AMPED Association Management
DeLyn	Schafer	pc/nametag
Cynthia	Swart	Mount Horeb Area School District
Mailor	Vang	NCCD
Debbie	Wendler	pc/nametag

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Movin' Up

Have you started with a new company? Has your organization recently promoted you to a new position? Or do you want to recognize a new person or promotion within your department? If so, we want to hear about it. Send us an e-mail, and we’ll publish your good news in the next HR InTouch!  
 

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In Transition

If you are a member who is in between jobs, or who is currently employed but seeking new positions or career paths, write us a brief description of your skill set, areas of expertise, what you’re looking for, etc. Send us an e-mail. We’ll publish your information in the next HR InTouch.

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HR InTouch Guidelines

Article Writing:

Do you have an interest in writing for the HR InTouch? We have an interest in learning more about your area of expertise!

Why should you volunteer? Top three reasons: 1) to share your knowledge and experiences to educate others; 2) to become more connected in the HR and Dane County communities; and 3) to contribute towards the advancement of GMA SHRM and the HR profession.

The first step is for you to choose a submission option: you can pre-submit an article to GMA SHRM at any time for us to use in any of the upcoming newsletters, you can sign up to write for a particular month, or we can put you on a list of people to contact in future months whenever we need articles.

Article length:

Because the HR InTouch is now in an online format, the size is flexible. The article should be engaging and hold readers’ attention. Include the core information in your article, and we will advise if it is too lengthy.

Solicitation:

GMA SHRM is conscious not to allow solicitation through the articles, in an effort to protect the interests of our partners and members. The nature of the article should be educational (i.e., what are the business advantages of having a product like yours) or informational. Otherwise, if you truly are interested in advertising through the HR InTouch, you can work with our Marketing Committee. As a rule of thumb for article writing, if the submission relates to a for-profit event, or specifically markets your company (vs. your industry), it is an advertisement, and should be purchased. If it is a not-for-profit event that your company is hosting, or an announcement (i.e., a SHRM member recently joined your company), it is an acceptable addition to the HR InTouch content. If you have any questions related to the appropriateness of your submission, please contact us.

If you have questions, or to submit an article, contact GMA SHRM at chapteradmin@gmashrm.org .