What the government shutdown means for accountants, why perks no longer cut it for workers, and how 2019 is going to be the year of instant payments

Show NotesE-Verify AND E-Verify SERVICES ARE UNAVAILABLE — e-verify.gov — E-Verify and E-Verify services are currently unavailable due to a lapse in government appropriations. What the federal shutdown could mean for tax season — CNBC — Accountants are worrying about the prospect of an extended federal shutdown as tax season approaches. That means there's a possibility that tax refunds may be delayed and it could be difficult to get your questions answered by the IRS. What you should know. @IRSnews — Twitter — Whoever manages the Twitter account for the IRS appears to have been furloughed during the federal government shutdown. Why Perks No Longer Cut It for Workers - WSJ — The most successful companies give employees a sense of belonging. Indicators Of The Year: Opioids — Planet Money — Life expectancy in the U.S. is down for the second year in a row. One main reason: opioid abuse. But increasingly, companies are stepping up to address the problem, offering treatment plans to workers and supporting employees through treatment. Indicators Of The Year: #MeToo — Planet Money — The #MeToo movement transformed the experience of women in the workplace. The strong job market helped some women feel secure enough to speak up, but for others it still doesn't feel safe.  Getting Ready for Making Tax Digital (MTD) with Cloud Accounting Software — Business Partner Magazine — Despite the deadlines and fines being highly publicised, approximately 750,000 people missed the deadline in 2018. 2019: The Year Of Instant Payments — PYMNTS — The year 2018 saw a rise in instant payments and disbursements among workers, particularly in the gig economy, indicating the trend will only increase in 2019. SubscribeListen on iTunesListen on Google Play