The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

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November 7, 2009

Income withholding orders topic of seminar, luncheon

Employers in the Enid area have an opportunity to learn how they can save time, money and resources in maintaining their child support collection obligations to the state.

Oklahoma Employer Services Center will host a free seminar and luncheon 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at Autry Technology Center to assist local employers in learning how to acknowledge income withholding orders electronically.

Historically, an income withholding order (IWO) has been mailed to employers to initiate wage withholding from employees who owe child support, according to Toby Hallows, income and wage coordinator with Oklahoma Child Support Services. However, with advances in technology, that’s all changing.

Now, many states, tribes and territories are opting to send employers an electronic income withholding order (e-IWO). In turn, employers also can respond electronically. Terminations, lump sums and bonuses also can be handled electronically.

States and employers utilize standardized layouts, workflows and processes in transmitting IWOs electronically. The standardized data shared through a portal will ensure uniform IWO data from all the states. Employers, payroll processors and states must register to use the portal.

Oklahoma was one of the first to lead the way in using the portal, Hallows said.

Melissa McGann, of Oklahoma Child Support Office in Enid, works with employers in the area. She said this training will benefit any size or type of business that has employees with child support obligations.

“It will educate employers on an easier, more efficient way to handle child support income withholding orders while being in compliance with federal regulations,” she said. “Electronic withholding saves businesses time, postage and paperwork.”

To register, call (866) 553-2368 by 4 p.m. Wednesday.

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