Every employer, regardless of size, is responsible for identifying and reporting unclaimed wages. When an employee never cashes a paycheck, those funds are legally considered “abandoned property” and must be turned over to the appropriate state.

The problem? Many employers don’t realize this duty exists—until it’s too late. Non-compliance can trigger hefty fines, steep interest, audit assessments, and even criminal penalties. And the risk isn’t limited to just one state: if you have employees across multiple states, you may face exposure in every jurisdiction where wages went unclaimed.

With states increasing enforcement and viewing unclaimed wages as a revenue source, payroll professionals must be fully prepared. This webinar provides step-by-step guidance on identifying, tracking, and reporting abandoned wages—while building processes to protect your company from costly mistakes.

Key Areas Covered:

• When wages are considered abandoned and how state laws define unclaimed property
• Payroll’s role and responsibilities in identifying and reporting unclaimed wages
• Compliance steps: reporting, remitting, and performing required due diligence
• Liability issues when using third-party payroll providers
• Establishing written procedures for tracking and safeguarding unclaimed wages
• How to handle correspondence and prevent improper release of funds
• Audit survival strategies and how to minimize risk
• Best practices for multi-state employers facing overlapping obligations

Learning Objectives

By attending this session, you’ll be able to:

• Recognize when wages legally become “abandoned” and must be reported.
• Apply state-specific requirements for reporting and remitting unclaimed wages.
• Implement due diligence procedures to protect your organization.
• Manage risk when outsourcing payroll services.
• Prepare for audits and avoid penalties, fines, and interest.
• Establish long-term compliance policies that stand up to scrutiny.

Who Should Attend

• Payroll Executives, Managers, and Practitioners
• Human Resources Leaders
• Accounting & Finance Professionals
• Business Owners and Executive Officers
• Operations and Compliance Managers
• Attorneys and Legal Professionals
• Anyone responsible for payroll compliance and wage reporting