W-2 Forms to Be Mailed This Week; Important Tax Information

2008 Wage and Tax Statements (IRS Form W-2) will be mailed on January 21 to employees at the address that was on file as of December 23, 2008. If you do not receive your form by February 6, you may obtain a W-2 Reissue Request Form (FS73-66) from your work location or on the web at http://www.fcps.edu/DIT/kam/docmgmt/forms/fs7366.pdf. A reissue will be mailed or available for pickup approximately 5 working days after the request is received by the Office of Payroll Management (OPM). Requests may be faxed to OPM at 571-423-3507 or sent through the pony to Payroll Management, Gatehouse Administration Center I, suite 2200. Reissues will be processed beginning February 9 on a first come, first-served basis.

Taxation of Vehicle Use

According to IRS regulations, FCPS is required to inform employees that the value of an employee’s personal use of a county vehicle is subject to federal and state taxes. This taxable value is calculated each December and is included in the W-2 for that year. Applicable FICA taxes, per annual maximums, are withheld from an employee’s December pay. Employees are liable for the appropriate federal and state taxes when they file their returns.

Social Security Tax Rates and Wage Bases for 2009

2009 withholding for Social Security-OASDI (old age, survivors and disability insurance) and Social Security-Medicare (hospital insurance) will continue at the current rates of 6.2 percent and 1.45 percent respectively. The OASDI wage base has been increased to $106,800. There is no wage base for Social Security-Medicare.

Review Your Federal Tax Withholding Status

Now is the time for each employee to review his or her federal tax withholding status for the coming year. Employees claiming total exemption from federal tax withholding must file a new W-4 form to continue exempt status in 2009; the new Form W-4 must be received by the Office of Payroll Management on or before February 15.

Each employee is required by the Internal Revenue Service to withhold an amount equal to his or her taxes or at a rate of at least 90 percent of the current year obligation. If the number of personal allowances that an employee is eligible to claim changes, the employee must file a new W-4 form with the Office of Payroll Management within ten days of the change. Form W-4 may be obtained from work locations, on the web at http://www.fcps.edu/DHR/forms/forms.htm, or by contacting the Office of Payroll Management at 571-423-3500.

Review District of Columbia and Maryland Tax Withholding Status

The District of Columbia (Form D-4) and Maryland (Form MW507) require new Withholding Certificate forms to be filed each calendar year by February 15 to certify the exemption from withholding income taxes. A new withholding certificate must be submitted to the Office of Payroll Management to continue exempt status in 2009. These forms may also be obtained from work locations, on the web at http://www.fcps.edu/DHR/forms/forms.htm, or by contacting the Office of Payroll Management at 571-423-3500.

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Application Deadline for Supporting Success Is February 9

Supporting Success is a professional development program for support employees US-19 and below. The ten-session program will give an overview of the functions of FCPS departments and the offices within these departments. Sessions will be held at various locations throughout the county. Supporting Success will begin on March 10.

The application is available online at http://fcpsnet.fcps.edu/plt/supportingsuccess.htm. Interested candidates must have at least one year of service with FCPS. 

Questions regarding the program may be directed to Delores Herndon, Department of Professional Learning and Training, at 703-204-4054. Send completed applications by pony to Delores Herndon, Department of Professional Learning and Training, Dunn Loring Center, or by fax to 703-204-3861 no later than February 9.

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Russell Nadel Named December News Liaison of the Month

Russell Nadel, music teacher at Mount Vernon Woods Elementary School, has been named the News Liaison of the Month for December by the Department of Communications and Community Outreach (DCCO). This new recognition program rewards school news liaisons for submitting newsworthy media tips and creative photographs. Nadel successfully placed news about Mount Vernon Woods in the Spanish-language newspaper El Pregonero on January 1, complete with a photo about the school’s silver recognition in the USDA Healthier Schools challenge.

Nadel also submitted news to local papers about Mount Vernon Woods Elementary being the recipient of an offering at Christ Church of Old Town Alexandria. He submitted photos for the FCPS home page that related to the Healthier Schools award as well as photos from the school’s Partners in Print night. Nadel, who has been employed by FCPS and at Mount Vernon Woods for three years, received a $25 gift card from Starbucks for being named December’s News Liaison of the Month.

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Spring ACCESS Course Registration Now Open

The spring ACCESS (Academy Course Catalog for Employees in Support Services) course catalog is now available online at http://www.fcps.edu/plt/access.htm. Course topics include automated computer inventory system (ACIS), document management, education decision support library (EDSL), library media, school administrative student information (SASI), technology, and time and attendance.   

Registration for ACCESS classes is also now open and will remain open throughout the semester. All courses in the catalog are offered at no cost to all contracted employees.

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Nomination Deadline Is February 27 for Support Employee of the Year Award

Nominations are now open for the 2009 FCPS Support Employee of the Year Award. This award recognizes one school-based support employee and one nonschool-based support employee.

A nominee must be a contracted support employee and provide a unique and exceptional contribution to FCPS through his or her work, demonstrate commitment and leadership in his or her field, and foster cooperative relationships with colleagues and/or the community. Winners, finalists, and nominees for this award will be honored at a Support Employee of the Year reception and School Board ceremony to be held in April 2009 during Support Employee Week.

The deadline for Support Employee of the Year Award nominations is Friday, February 27. The nomination form and instructions are available online at http://www.fcps.edu/DHR/employees/awards/seoy.htm.  

For more information, contact Shannon Watson at 571-423-3278.

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Volunteer Learning Program Seeks Tutors for Adult Learners

Do you have an hour or two a week to make a difference in another adult’s life? The Volunteer Learning program, sponsored by the Office of Adult and Community Education (ACE), provides free tutors to any adult 18 years of age and over who needs to improve his or her reading, writing, or math skills to obtain a high school diploma or GED, prepare for college, or meet a personal goal such as helping his or her children.

Tutors are needed in all areas of Fairfax County. You can volunteer to tutor an adult learner one on one in a library close to your home or work, on a day and at a time convenient for you, or you can help teachers individualize instruction in classes. Training is provided but is not required for FCPS teachers. The Volunteer Learning program, founded in 1975, is a tutoring program designed to meet the educational needs of Fairfax County adults by supporting ACE’s three adult high school completion programs (GED, National External Diploma, and Woodson Adult High School) and the educational needs of certain juveniles without high school diplomas.

If you have questions, or for more information, contact Lori Baker at lori.baker@fcps.edu or 703-246-2139. Additional information can be found at http://www.fcps.edu/DIS/OACE/VLPFAQ.htm.

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