Tech Times

Category: Administration

  • Attention GAs: Tax implications on graduate assistantship

    Each year, the Office of Graduate Studies and the Office of Financial Aid send a listing of the annual tuition benefits paid on your behalf to the Office of Human Resources. For some assistantships the amount will be added to the taxable income on your December 23rd paycheck and will increase your tax liability and possibly your federal income tax deduction. This amount does not increase your net pay.

    If you want to change your W-4 to prevent or lessen the withholding amount, the form is here. This form must be returned to the Payroll Office by 4:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 4, to process on the 12/23/20 paycheck.

    If you have questions regarding the W-4 process, contact the Payroll Office by e-mailing payroll@tntech.edu.

    Here is an explanation of how the IRS treats assistantships:

    Tuition benefits offered to graduate assistants are generally excluded from taxable income under section 117(d) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC). However, section 117(d) only excludes from taxable income tuition benefits for graduate students who are engaged in teaching activities or research activities at the University. Graduate assistants not engaged in such teaching or research activities at the University cannot be excluded from taxable income under section 117(d).

  • W-2 and 1095-C Information

    PLEASE READ: W-2 and 1095-C Information [time sensitive]

    For your added security, we strongly encourage that your W-2 and 1095-C be delivered electronically through Eagle Online/Banner Self-Service.  This keeps your personal information from being sent through the mail and it will be available to you sooner.  To consent, you can log into Tech Express, Eagle, Employee-Tax Forms-Electronic Regulatory Consent.  Read the statement and check the box to consent.  Complete this simple process by Sunday, January 10, 2021, to ensure your election is recorded prior to the release of 2020 W-2s.

  • 2020 Holiday Payroll Deadlines

    2020 Holiday Payroll Deadlines

    Please observe the following deadlines during the upcoming holiday season.

    November Deadlines

      • Extra Pay timesheets are due by 4:30 PM, Wednesday, November 4

     

      • October leave reports are due by Tuesday, November 3 (Approvals due Friday, November 6)

     

      • The deadline for receipt of any payroll changes normally due by the 15th is 4:30 PM on Monday, November 9

     

      November payroll is on Monday, November 30

    December Deadlines

      • Student/Temp payroll reports are due by 11:00 AM on Tuesday, December 1

     

      • December Student and Temp payroll is on Thursday, December 10

     

      • Extra Pay timesheets are due by 4:30 PM on Thursday, December 3

     

      • November leave reports are due by Wednesday, December 2 (Approvals due Monday, December 7)

     

      • All other payroll items normally due on the 15th are due on Monday, December 7

     

      • December monthly payroll is on Wednesday, December 23

    Any checks not picked up will be mailed at 3:30 on December 23

    January Deadlines

      Timesheets for work done in December by student and temporary hourly employees may be approved as soon as December work is finished. Any times not approved before the holiday break will be due by 11:00 AM on January 4, 2021.

  • Retirement Reception for Vickie Floyd

    Please join us for a retirement reception honoring Vickie Floyd on Monday, October 12, 2020 from 1:30 to 3:30 in the multipurpose room on the 2nd floor of the RUC.  Vickie retired in May after 35 years of service with Tennessee Tech.  Come help us celebrate with Vickie as she enters this next phase of life.  Refreshments will be served.

    COVID-19 safety guidelines for events will be followed.

  • Written Comments for Student Conduct & Title IX Compliance Rules Due Tomorrow

    Tennessee Tech will conduct rulemaking hearings for Student Conduct, and Title IX Compliance at 1:30 PM CDT held in Roaden University Center, Room 282. To view the rule filings, please visit: https://www.tntech.edu/board/meetings/2020-09-29-board-meeting.php   Written comments regarding the Student Conduct rule should be directed to the Dean of Students deanofstudents@tntech.edu.  Written comments regarding the Title IX rule should be directed to the Compliance Officer, compliance@tntech.edu . Comments should be received by 4:30 PM CDT (tomorrow) on September 25, 2020, to ensure consideration.

  • Rulemaking Hearings for Student Conduct and Title IX Compliance

    Tennessee Tech will conduct rulemaking hearings for Student Conduct, and Title IX Compliance at 1:30 PM CDT held in Roaden University Center, Room 282. To view the rule filings, please visit: https://www.tntech.edu/board/meetings/2020-09-29-board-meeting.php   Written comments regarding the Student Conduct rule should be directed to the Dean of Students, deanofstudents@tntech.edu.  Written comments regarding the Title IX rule should be directed to the Compliance Officer, compliance@tntech.edu . Comments should be received by 4:30 PM CDT on September 25, 2020, to ensure consideration.

  • Tech Opts Out of Tax Deferral and Repayment Order

    As you may know on Aug 8, President Trump signed an executive order giving employers the option to defer employee social security withholding starting Sept 1 for the remainder of the calendar year.  The tax withholding would resume on Jan 1, 2021 and the deferred taxes would begin to be collected at the same time reducing net payroll amounts for Jan through April 2021.

     After thorough examination and consideration, it has been decided that Tennessee Tech will not participate in this tax deferral and repayment program.  TN state government including all the public higher education institutions  have also elected to “opt-out”.

    If you have questions regarding this issue, contact the Payroll Department by calling (931)372-3712 or emailing Gaile Palmer at gpalmer@tntech.edu.

  • Payroll & Position Budgeting/Control Functions Moving to the Business Office

    Beginning September 1, 2020 the Payroll and Position Budgeting and Control functions for the University have moved to the Business Office.  Operationally the responsibilities of these areas have not changed, only the reporting structure.  This change will allow the Human Resources staff to focus on employee recruitment, retention, and other HR priorities that enhance the employee experience.  It will also create efficiencies with the funds disbursement process of Payroll.  Please note that all payroll checks for both employees and students will now be available at the Business Office cashier windows for pick-up.  Payroll questions should still be directed to Payroll Manager, Gaile Palmer and all position budgeting questions should now be directed to Budget Director, Terri McWilliams.

     

  • Service Animal ESA Guidance

    The Accessible Education Center (AEC) would like to remind everyone the differences between an ESA and a Service Animal. Only Service Animals are allowed in classrooms and buildings. There are only two types of Service Animals approved by the ADA: dogs and miniature horses.  Service animals perform an important task for individuals with disabilities.  No documentation is required and there are only two questions an individual may ask to determine whether or not an animal should be in a building or classroom.

    1. Is this a service animal?

    2)What service or task does the animal perform?

    Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) provide comfort and emotional support and are only allowed in the individual’s residence, or outside for exercise etc. Emotional support animals will not be in classrooms or campus buildings.  Documentation is required from the appropriate professional evaluator or clinical psychologist for approval of an ESA on campus and may be submitted to the AEC for consideration. Many animals including dogs, cats, certain reptiles, or other approved small animals may be considered an ESA.

    Note:  Animals that cause undue noise or pose a direct threat to others will be removed from campus.

    Questions may be directed to the Accessible Education Center at 931-372-6119 or by emailing disability@tntech.edu.  More information can be found on Policy Tech ESA Policy 306 .

  • Paying on Your Student Account

    Paying on Your Student Account

    Many questions regarding your student account, making payments, selecting meal plans and parking permits, refunds, and enrolling in deferred payment plans can be answered using our tutorial videos and downloadable resources.

    Having trouble paying and confirming your account by August 22, 2020? If so, you can extend your deadline by enrolling in Save Your Seat.

    Payments can be made online 24/7 by students or their authorized users.

    Payments can be mailed using a paper check using the below address (make sure to include your student ID/T-number on the memo line of the check)

    Mailing Address:
    Tennessee Tech University
    Business Office
    Campus Box 5037
    Cookeville, TN 38505-0001

    In person payments can be made at cashier windows 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., and student account help is available at accounts receivable windows 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday on the 1st Floor of Derryberry Hall.

    Enter Derryberry Hall 1st floor from the east entrance only and exit through the west entrance only.

    Students needing assistance from the Bursar and Business Office will enter a queue on the east end of the first floor with clear exterior signage directing them to the correct door. Once in the queue students will be directed where to receive service in a socially distanced manner. Questions and help are also available by emailing bursar@tntech.edu.

    Anyone needing to access the second, third, or fourth floors of the building should use the main 2nd floor front entrance or the first floor stairwell through the designated east entrance to the building. Please also use the east entrance for elevator access.