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US Payroll & Benefits Blogs
Budgeting a US Team for 2027 | What Benefits Will Actually Cost You Per Employee
US employer health care costs are projected to rise 9.5% in 2027, pushing the average above $19,000 per employee. For international companies budgeting a US team, benefits and payroll taxes add roughly 20% to 36% on top of salary, depending on what you pay. Here is what to put in your 2027 budget, line by line.
Your Delaware Entity Isn’t Enough | Where You Must Register to Hire Across US States
Incorporating in Delaware does not entitle you to employ people in the other 49 states. Hiring in a new state creates two separate obligations: payroll tax registration, which is mandatory and immediate, and foreign qualification with that state’s Secretary of State, which depends on what your employee actually does. Getting the second one wrong can cost you the right to sue in that state.
Delaware Franchise Tax | Why Your Bill Says $85,000 and How to Fix It
Delaware calculates franchise tax two ways. It bills you using whichever one it can work out without your financials, which is the Authorized Shares Method. For a company with 10 million authorized shares, that produces a bill of $85,165. Recalculating under the Assumed Par Value Capital Method usually brings it down to a few hundred or a few thousand dollars. The bill is a default, not a demand.
Form I-9 and E-Verify: The Employer’s Guide for International Companies
Form I-9 and E-Verify are essential parts of hiring in the US, but the rules can be confusing for international employers. This guide explains I-9 deadlines, acceptable documents, corrections, reverification, E-Verify requirements, state-specific rules, penalties, and the key changes employers need to know.
Are Non-Competes Enforceable in the US? A State-by-State Guide for International Employers
Are non-competes enforceable in the US? The answer depends on the state, your employee’s earnings, the terms of the agreement, and when employment ends. This state-by-state guide explains where non-competes are banned, where they remain enforceable, and what international employers should use instead to protect their business.
How to Write a US Job Description | What UK and European Companies Get Wrong
Your UK job description template will not work in the US. Pay transparency laws in 16 states now require salary ranges in job postings. EEO statements, ADA accommodation language, and at-will notices are expected as standard. Here is everything international employers need to get right before posting their first US role.
US Health Insurance Explained for International Employers
US health insurance can feel overwhelming for international employers. This guide explains PPOs, HMOs, deductibles, copays, HSAs, and ACA rules in plain English, helping UK and European companies understand costs, compare plan types, and provide competitive, compliant health benefits for their first US employees.
US vs UK Employment Costs | Side-by-Side Comparison for International Companies
UK and US employment costs look similar on paper. The reality is the composition is completely different. This guide compares every major cost category — payroll taxes, health insurance, pensions, sick pay, and parental leave — using verified 2025 and 2026 figures, so your first US hire has no surprises.
How to Budget for Your First US Hire | Cost Guide
Your first US hire will cost more than you think. Not because US salaries are extreme, but because the cost stack looks nothing like what you know at home. Health insurance, FICA, SUTA, workers’ compensation — this guide breaks every line down with verified figures.
PEO vs Payroll Service | Why Processing Paychecks Is Not Enough
Getting payroll right is not the same as getting US employment right. A lot of international companies make that mistake. They find a provider that can process paychecks in dollars, handle federal withholding, and produce W-2s at year end, and they assume the employment problem is solved. It is not. Payroll is one piece of a much larger picture, and the rest of it is where things go wrong.
Employee Handbook Essentials | Why Templates Fail Multi-State US HR
Template employee handbooks cost $49 but create thousands in liability. California requires daily overtime and meal break policies. New York mandates specific sexual harassment elements. Texas needs strong at-will language. One generic template satisfies no jurisdiction completely, creating under-compliance in strict states and over-promising in at-will states.
State Disability Insurance in the USA
State Disability Insurance provides temporary wage replacement for workers unable to work due to non-work-related illness, injury, or pregnancy. Only five US states mandate these programs: California, Hawaii, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island. International employers must understand state-specific contribution rates, benefit calculations, and compliance requirements.
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