HOW TO HANDLE PAYROLL FOR HOLIDAYS THAT FALL ON WORKDAYS

If my business is open on a holiday like Thanksgiving or Christmas, do I have to pay my employees extra for working on a holiday? No. Extra pay or holiday pay is not required in Florida.

If my business is closed for a holiday, do I have to pay my employees? It depends on the employee’s status. Most employees do not have to be paid if they are not working, even if they are salaried. However, employees that are exempt from overtime must be paid for days when the business is closed.

Do I have to pay overtime in a week with a holiday? All hourly employees and most salaried employees must be paid overtime if they work more than 40 hours in a workweek. But workdays when the business is closed (like Christmas Day) do not count towards the 40 hours.

Overtime is calculated only on the hours the employee actually works. Hours where the employee is paid but does not work (like a paid holiday) do not count towards the 40 hours.

For example, if your business is closed for Thanksgiving Day, that day does not count as time worked. Your employees can work up to 40 hours the other days of the workweek without getting overtime. This is true even if you pay your employees for a full day on Thanksgiving while the business is closed.

BEWARE OF SCAM EMAILS IMPERSONATING FLORIDA DBPR

If you or your business have a licensed issued by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), be alert for phishing emails about your license that may look legitimate and use DBPR’s name, logo, and branding.

These emails may claim that your licensing documents are ready for review, that documentation is missing, or that documents need your signature. The subject line may be:

  • “DBPR License Notification” or
  • “RE: [Action Required] Licensing Notice – Missing Documentation Needed”

One version of these phishing emails includes a “View Document” link. Reported sender addresses include dbpr@souldrama.asia and dbprlicadmin@myflorida.perudominios.com. Other versions may display a seemingly legitimate DBPR email address.

If you receive one of these emails:

  • Do not click links, open attachments, reply, or provide personal, financial, or login information.
  • Mark the message as phishing or spam and delete it.
  • Verify your licensing information by typing MyFloridaLicense.com directly into your browser or by calling DBPR at 850-487-1395.

EMERGENCY BRIDGE LOANS AVAILABLE FOR FLORIDA BUSINESSES IMPACTED BY HURRICANE ISAIAS

Florida businesses impacted by Hurricane Isaias can apply for financial assistance from the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan program. This program from the state of Florida provides short-term, no-interest loans of up to $100,000 and are intended to “bridge the gap” to give small businesses working capital while they pursue insurance claims or work on securing longer-term financing. Visit FloridaJobs.org/small-business to apply.

TAX FILING DEADLINES EXTENDED IN COUNTIES AFFECTED BY HURRICANE ISAIAS

Both the Internal Revenue Service and the State of Florida have extended the filing deadlines for individuals and businesses affected by Hurricane Isaias.

Individuals and businesses in the affected counties now have until February 8, 2027 to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments that were originally due on or after October 9, 2026.

Businesses and individuals in the following counties qualify for this extension:  Baker, Bay, Calhoun, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Suwannee, Taylor, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington.

DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE

Disaster Unemployment Assistance provides temporary financial assistance to individuals whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of Hurricane Isaias.

If you live or work in the following counties, you may by eligible for this temporary assistance: Bay, Escambia, Gulf, Holmes, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton, and Washington. To file a Disaster Unemployment claim, go to CONNECT.MyFlorida.com.

IRS TRANSITIONING TO A NEW E-FILE SYSTEM FOR 1099 FORMS

This is an important update for businesses that use the IRS online filing system FIRE to electronically submit their 1099s to the IRS.

The IRS is retiring the Filing Information Returns Electronically (FIRE) system and transitioning to a new filing portal called Information Return Intake System (IRIS).

After November 19, 2026, filers will no longer be able to submit information returns like 1099s through FIRE. Current FIRE users must transition to IRIS to file tax year 2026 information returns during the 2027 filing season.

IRIS is a free web-based system that does not require special software and is available to businesses of any size. Beginning filing season 2027, IRIS will be the only IRS system for filing information returns electronically. Users must switch to IRIS for the 2027 filing season.

Filers can enter information manually or upload it using a CSV file. They can also download payee copies and maintain records of completed and filed forms.

Filers who use third-party software or develop their own software can use IRIS Application to e-file larger volumes of information returns.