Education

You’ll also want to draft a company policy for remote work expense reimbursement in accordance with your local laws. There are also state income taxes and state unemployment tax assessment (SUTA) taxes that can differ by remote work location. For example, some states, like Washington, don’t have a state income tax for wages. But Washington has unique employment taxes and mandatory benefits such as paid family and medical leave, long-term care insurance, and paid sick leave. You should check with each state you have employees in to see what taxes you’re responsible for. Key Takeaways: Microsoft plans to incorporate Ally.io into its Viva family of employee experience products. In early September 2021, it was announced that the company had acquired Takelessons, an online platform which connects students and tutors in numerous subjects. The acquisition positioned Microsoft to grow its presence in the market of providing an online education to large numbers of people. Filing Taxes as a Digital Nomad: Top Tips and Strategies However, some countries have even lower thresholds that trigger tax residency. Accordingly, a US citizen living and working abroad may be required to file and pay income taxes to the foreign country. To aid in this determination, tax practitioners need to determine if the foreign country has a tax treaty in effect with the US by referring to the IRS website. Such tax treaties help determine jurisdiction for income tax purposes and alleviate (or eliminate) double taxation. These agreements generally also contain provisions to resolve conflicting residency claims. Federal vs. state taxation are usually complex, especially when you’re working across multiple jurisdictions. Being aware of your filing responsibilities helps ensure tax compliance and can prevent unexpected tax liabilities. As remote work becomes the norm, where you work can be just as important as what you do—especially when it comes to taxes. By setting policies, registering in each state, using payroll software, and working with compliance platforms like Ontop. The 25 Best Nearshore Software Development Companies If remote workers live in a state different from the employer’s primary location, the employer may need to register with the employee’s state to fulfill state tax withholding obligations. Spending significant time abroad may qualify you for the foreign earned income exclusion. Allen came up with the original name of Micro-Soft, a portmanteau of microcomputer and software. To alleviate double taxation in these situations, states generally provide a credit to residents who pay taxes to other states. In an internal memo to Microsoft employees on May 16, 1991, Bill Gates announced that the OS/2 partnership was over, and that Microsoft would henceforth focus its platform efforts on Windows and the Windows NT kernel. Some people, especially developers who had ignored Windows and committed most of their resources to OS/2, were taken by surprise, and accused Microsoft of deception. This changeover from OS/2 was frequently referred to in the industry as “the head-fake”. In the recent years, the popularity of OS/2 declined, and Windows quickly became the favored PC platform. 1991 also marked the founding of Microsoft Research, an organization in Microsoft for researching computer science subjects, and Microsoft Visual Basic, a popular development product for companies and individuals. Microsoft Works would later be sold with other Microsoft products including Microsoft Word and Microsoft Bookshelf, a reference collection introduced in 1987 that was the company’s first CD-ROM product. On August 8, 1989, Microsoft introduced its most successful office product, Microsoft Office. Unlike the model of Microsoft Works, Microsoft Office was a bundle of separate office productivity applications, such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and so forth. IBM first approached Gates and Allen about Microsoft’s upcoming IBM Personal Computer (IBM PC) in July 1980, shortly after Gates’s mother began working on United Way’s executive board with IBM CEO John Opel. On August 12, 1981, after negotiations with Digital Research failed, IBM awarded a contract to Microsoft to provide a version of the CP/M operating system, which was set to be used in the IBM PC. For this deal, Microsoft purchased a CP/M clone called 86-DOS from Tim Paterson of Seattle Computer Products for less than US$100,000, which IBM renamed to IBM PC DOS. For Employers This makes sense because you are using that state’s services and infrastructure. The same goes for state and local taxes, so if you’re a freelancer, you’re responsible for filing state taxes. For remote workers who operate across borders, international tax considerations can complicate matters further. According to WFH Research1, in August 2024, 12% of full-time employees were fully remote. The nature of their employment significantly influences their tax responsibilities. On August 12, 1981, after negotiations with Digital Research failed, IBM awarded a contract to Microsoft to provide a version of the CP/M operating system, which was set to be used in the IBM PC. Self‑employed taxpayers may claim a home office on Schedule C. They may use the simplified method ($5 per sq ft, up to 300 sq ft) or actual expenses via Form 8829. Accountable plans let employers reimburse ordinary and necessary expenses without reporting income. A written policy, receipts, and prompt return of excess advances are required. W‑2 home office deductions remain suspended at the federal level through 2025. Employers now face renewed obligations for registrations, payroll setup, and state filings when staff are located in new jurisdictions. Frequently Asked Questions About Remote Work Taxes Failing to update your withholding could result in unexpected tax bills or even penalties. With some planning and research upfront, plus good record-keeping, you can stay compliant and avoid any surprise bills. Following these tips and strategies can help ensure you meet tax obligations as a digital nomad. While taxes may seem daunting, approaching them in an orderly way with the right tools at your disposal can make the process smoother. Stay on top of your obligations how does remote work get taxed and you will be free to continue your nomadic lifestyle with peace of mind. In most countries, when a remote employee spends over 183 days in a tax

It’s also the type of communication that comes naturally to us – which is why many teams default to it. And yet long-time remote teams – including Zapier, Doist, Buffer, and more – claim their teams have seen a massive productivity boost since going office-less. Asynchronous communication allows you or your team member to take the time and come up with a thoughtful answer, which leads to effective communication. As many people still schedule meetings by default, it is a good idea to set out clear rules and draw up an async communication plan. #2: Ensure access to relevant documentation and resources Tools like Slack even allow you to import custom emojis, so you can create your own inside jokes or reaction buttons. If you were to speak in person, you might forget key points or get distracted by colleagues’ questions. Plaky is cloud-based team collaboration software that enables you to enjoy all the benefits of async communication — and it can also be used for flawless synchronous communication within tasks. Take the time to research the tools that are out there and find the right ones for the specific needs of your organization. Asynchronous communication allows teams to be more inclusive of their employees’ circumstances. This is especially true when scheduling meetings across time zones or when certain meeting times are more difficult for some teammates than others. However, the rush to implement remote work during the pandemic encouraged asynchronous communication. First, digital media use skyrocketed during the first few weeks of the pandemic as everyone began to use virtual means to reach out to friends and family. Second, many companies that hadn’t considered remote work before decided it was a good fit. Because of this, many companies use async communication as part of their daily communications, especially while working from home. How to improve asynchronous communication? It allows team members to respond when it’s convenient for them, promotes deep work, and respects team members’ time zones. To ensure that asynchronous communication works its magic, it’s your responsibility to ensure that your team members get it and integrate it into their normal workflows. Adopting asynchronous methods is not about eliminating meetings; it’s about reserving synchronous moments for the interactions that truly require them. That said, synchronous communication can also have a negative impact on business and overall project success. Asynchronous communication promotes productivity and effective collaboration. Using email or messaging apps will almost always result in a slower response time compared to a live meeting. An in-office marketing team might implement “no-meeting Wednesdays” with all communication happening through their project management system, resulting in higher creative output on those days. In synchronous communication, missing information gets clarified immediately through questions. Asynchronous communication lacks this immediate feedback loop, making context crucial for effective understanding. Include relevant background information and project history so recipients understand where your communication fits in the broader picture. Instead of snap judgments made during real-time meetings, employees have the time to provide more thoughtful and informed input. They can research relevant data, consider different perspectives, and formulate well-reasoned responses, leading to more robust and effective decisions. Use strong collaboration tools Of course, asynchronous communication works only when it’s well-implemented and effective. Otherwise, you risk team members not understanding the technology, forgetting to respond or taking conversations in off-topic directions. Fortunately, you can follow some best practices to maximize the efficiency and usefulness of asynchronous communication. Learn how to successfully implement and use asynchronous communication and help boost your team’s productivity. Your favorite project management tool (think Asana, Trello, Wrike) is also a form of asynchronous communication. asynchronous communication examples So all the benefits of asynchronous communication apply to these tools by default. Due to Slack’s addictive format of messaging, teams in Slack easily lean into unproductive and chaotic messaging which affects your entire team’s productivity. Asynchronous communication is not a new thing by any means — the concept goes back to papyrus notes and writing on the wall. But these days asynchronous communication is quickly becoming a life-saving tool for digital-savvy teams that are tired of useless and long-winded meetings. Asynchronous communication allows for flexible and inclusive collaboration between multiple people. Tools like email, texting apps, and shared documents are common examples of asynchronous communication tools, and each offers its own advantages and limitations. What is Asynchronous Communication? Examples and Benefits There are plenty of people out there who would love to tell you that asynchronous communication is the future of work. The most successful implementations balance the efficiency of asynchronous communication with the benefits of human connection that synchronous interaction provides. They recognize that the goal isn’t to eliminate real-time communication entirely but to be more intentional about when and how it’s used. Asynchronous communication isn’t just a set of tools or techniques; it’s a fundamental shift in how teams collaborate, make decisions, and share knowledge. When implemented thoughtfully, it creates a more inclusive, flexible, and productive work environment that benefits both employees and employers. Choose the right platform For example, sending out a mass email to the whole company about an important policy change. This helps keep everyone informed, and on the same page at the very same time. All of this leads to a highly motivated and productive work environment which can help you achieve a lot more with a lot less. Another noticeable benefit of this type of communication for the team is that it helps you document ideas, important information, and much more just the way in which it happens. Take control of your team’s workload and achieve better project results with Plaky. Challenges of Async Communication Tools that let people stay aligned while working independently without being in a live conversation or meeting are essential, especially for large organizations. Teams need to have more than one communication channel at their disposal to move fast and stay agile. This list is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to video collaboration tools that are available to help hybrid

If painting your entire office green doesn’t please you, you can still reap the benefits by painting an accent wall green. Save the full-color printing for business-critical communications and use black and white for everything else. Even if you are printing a full-color website or document, choosing the black and white setting can conserve your ink and save you money. Whether it is groceries or office supplies, buying in bulk is a great way to save money. A nest of cords is not only an office eyesore, but it can also be a safety hazard. Don’t let the name fool you, although great for gaming, the monitor offers excellent colour accuracy and resolution for your home office needs. Working in a too hot or cold environment can become uncomfortable over time and affect your productivity. As many people consider how to work from home, most of us don’t realize what we take for granted back at the office. Setting up your workspace so that the following steps are met can drastically improve your comfort. VIVO offers affordable monitor stands for both single and dual monitor setups. Ergo Station Standing Desk We can multiply any number by itself as many times as we want this way … The drawers of the dresser work perfectly for organizing paper and printing supplies. Don’t hesitate to rearrange your furniture, update your technology, or change your decor to keep your workspace fresh and functional. The word’s history goes back to Roman times, where it meant killing one in every ten people as punishment to rebellious groups within Rome’s legions or even to rebellious cities. In this blog post, I’ll provide you with essential tips that I picked up along the way to help make classroom setup as painless (and fun) as possible! She is a preternaturally beautiful young woman in the next car. She turns to regard him, and he is instantly, helplessly, in love. She is dressed in a bridal gown and is on her way to the church to be married. God called upon Moses to go to Pharaoh and request he set free the people of Israel. Using this scale an earthquake with 7 points is ten times more powerful than an earthquake with 6 points. Custom Desk Decorate and personalise your space to inspire you to work more productively. Pictures of loved ones, pets and past memories is a great way to personalise your setup. No one wants to spend time and effort moving equipment around daily. Word of the Day We now feel a lot less overwhelmed and more focused when sitting at our desks! We have to mention Grovemade’s desk shelf system because it is literally one of the most used desk setup items to improve comfort but also style your setup. VIVO offers affordable monitor stands for both single and dual monitor setups. Monitor mounts will help raise your monitor to eye level relieving neck and shoulder strain. As we mentioned above, if you’re stuck choosing a monitor shelf, have a read of our in-depth article on desk shelves. Get a Variety of Supplies and Tech Accessories If you can, try to find a spot that prioritizes natural lighting. Being exposed to natural light while in the work setting can actually increase your cognitive focus and attention and boost your mood throughout the work day. So, maximise the light you already have and position your screen away from the sun – ideally with the back of the monitor facing a window. Next, introduce a second source of light on your desk that faces downwards away from your eyes, but illuminates your keyboard and mouse for easier typing. For example, you could use a wall-mounted shelf or floating desk 10 tips for setting up your first home office to free up valuable floor space. Maximizing productivity is key in setting up a successful home office. Ensure you have all the tools and resources you need within reach, and establish a routine to help keep yourself on track. Just like when you’re in the office, home office setup ergonomics follow similar principles. Setting up your workspace so that the following steps are met can drastically improve your comfort. We’ve put together a guide that will help you with perfecting your home office setup ergonomics, more important it will make you more productive and healthier too. For this reason, you should set loose “office hours” to help you stay focused. The reason for this is that you will need this equipment to perform without fail every single day. You don’t want to invest in something that is “penny wise but pound foolish” as the saying goes. We recommend that you shop for office-specific furniture and not attempt to use home furniture for office purposes. Office furniture tends to be built out of sturdier stuff and will weather damage more easily than furniture made for the home. It’s the fact that there is no separation between home and work that makes the home office an important space to optimise. If you don’t take care of it, it will end up ruining your productivity and burnout. Once you have made a list of all the things you need for your ideal home office, you’ll have a better idea of how much space it will require. Then, you can select the area of your home that would work best. While some people have a built-in home office space or guest room available, not everyone will have an entire spare room to transform into a home office. We can multiply any number by itself as many times as we want this way … This number often appears when you’re aligning closely with it. It may not be clear, or obvious to you so tune in to your feelings and let them guide you. Your classroom setup plays a crucial role in fostering a positive learning atmosphere and engaging your students. Don’t hesitate to rearrange your furniture, update your technology, or change your decor to keep your