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Wages Creek
Professional Payroll Consulting Firm
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On the Fifth Week of Year-End, Payroll Gave to Me…
A balanced ledger and some sanity! We’ve had our turkey, our gratitude, our garnishments — and now it’s time to dive into the part of payroll year-end that separates the seasoned pros from the ones still whispering, “why won’t this tie?” under their breath. Grab your reconciliation checklist and your emotional support calculator, because here comes… The Gift of Reconciliation If payroll year-end had a soundtrack, this would be the dramatic turning point — the moment the monta
Christine Stolpe CPP
2 days ago3 min read
On the Fourth Week of Year-End, Payroll Gave to Me…
A turkey, some garnishments, and a plea for PTO! It’s the week before Thanksgiving. Everyone’s halfway out the door, HR is talking about the holiday potluck, Finance is whispering about budgets, and Payroll? Payroll is staring down deadlines like, “Sure, go ahead and take Friday off. I’ll just be here balancing wage attachments in between gravy refills.” Welcome to Turkey, Gratitude, and Garnishments where we learn that payroll doesn’t take holidays… we just calcula
Christine Stolpe CPP
Nov 252 min read
On the Third Week of Year-End, Payroll Gave to Me…
A reconciliation spree! If last week was about cleaning up your people data, this week is where you dive straight into the numbers. This is the week you pull the covers off your pay codes, deductions, and taxable benefits — and either breathe a sigh of relief or say, “Oh no, not again .” This is Prepping the Pay — the unsung hero of payroll year-end. Because it doesn’t matter how perfect your employee records are if the pay details underneath are a mess. What “Prepping the
Christine Stolpe CPP
Nov 183 min read
On the Second Week of Year-End, Payroll Gave to Me…
A spreadsheet full of people who don’t live where they say they do! If Week 1 was all about laying the foundation, Week 2 is about cleaning the floors before we build the rest of the house. Because no matter how flawless your payroll process is, bad employee data will break it faster than you can say “returned W-2.” Let’s be honest — every payroll professional has their own personal list of “people problems.” Addresses that haven’t been updated since the Obama administration
Christine Stolpe CPP
Nov 113 min read
On the First Week of Year-End, Payroll Gave to Me…
A reminder that December starts now! If you think “year-end” starts in December, I have some bad news and a warm cup of coffee for you. ☕ Because for payroll pros, year-end starts right now — the moment Halloween candy goes on clearance and the first “Q4 update” email hits your inbox. While everyone else is dreaming of turkey and time off, payroll is quietly opening spreadsheets, checking deduction limits, and muttering phrases like “Box 12 code DD” under their breath. Welco
Christine Stolpe CPP
Nov 43 min read
Payroll Horror Stories 2025
Last year, I discovered that terrible and unfortunate occurrences in payroll was a popular topic for a blog post, especially when framed...
Christine Stolpe CPP
Oct 285 min read
One Big Beautiful Bill Act for Payrollers
Behind the Scenes and Across the Table The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) has dominated headlines with its “No Tax on Overtime” and...
Christine Stolpe CPP
Oct 213 min read
OBBBA - Week 5: That’s a Wrap on One Big Beautiful Ride 🚀
We made it. Five weeks. One law. And now your paycheck feels a little less shady. We’ve spent the last month breaking down the One Big...
Christine Stolpe CPP
Oct 153 min read
OBBBA - Week 4: When to Start Planning for the OBBBA Tax Breaks
By now you’ve probably heard the headlines: the One Big Beautiful Bill Act ( OBBBA ) means new tax breaks for overtime and tips. But...
Christine Stolpe CPP
Oct 72 min read
OBBBA - Week 3: When Will We See the “No Tax On” Promises Kept?
If you caught the headlines when the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) passed, you probably saw the bold claims: 🚫 No tax on...
Christine Stolpe CPP
Sep 302 min read
OBBBA - Week 2: What Changes Right Away (or almost immediately)
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) is huge . Some changes will roll out over months or even years, but others hit fast. ⚡ Really...
Christine Stolpe CPP
Sep 232 min read
OBBBA - Week 1: What Doesn’t Change
(But Would Have Without the Bill) We now pause your regularly scheduled payroll literacy series to bring you… legislation. The One Big...
Christine Stolpe CPP
Sep 172 min read
From Played to Paid - Week 10
That Payroll Literacy Feeling From “What is this deduction?” to “I actually understand this now.” That feeling when you finally...
Christine Stolpe CPP
Sep 23 min read
From Played to Paid - Special Edition
📣 We Now Pause Our Regularly Scheduled Blog Series… …to bring you this important update ...that could change the way your paycheck...
Christine Stolpe CPP
Aug 263 min read
From Played to Paid - Week 9
Behind the Paycheck: What Payroll Pros Really Do (and Why You Should Thank Them) “Payroll messed up my check again.” – you, not realizing...
Christine Stolpe CPP
Aug 193 min read
From Played to Paid - Week 8
🍼 That moment you realize bonding with your baby might cost you more than diapers. 👶💸 Taking time off work—whether it's to welcome a...
Christine Stolpe CPP
Aug 123 min read
From Played to Paid - Week 7
When Payroll Makes a Mistake: How to Spot It and What to Do When your paycheck is off by $0.37 and your trust in the entire system...
Christine Stolpe CPP
Aug 52 min read
From Played to Paid - Week 6
Final Paychecks, Leftover PTO & End-of-Job Confusion You just quit, your boss says “good luck,” and payroll ghosts you harder than your...
Christine Stolpe CPP
Jul 293 min read
From Played to Paid - Week 5
Do College Students Have to Pay Taxes in 2025? Guest Contributor: Raeann Hofkin, CPP Welcome to Week 5 of our From Played to Paid...
Christine Stolpe CPP
Jul 223 min read
From Played to Paid – Week 4
Why Bonuses Feel Like a Scam - How Taxation Works Bonuses are supposed to feel exciting. Like a reward. Like recognition. Like a treat...
Christine Stolpe CPP
Jul 153 min read
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