Payroll Records Retention

Payroll records are stored in various formats; some are stored in a paper format, on microfiche, on line, or diskettes. Regardless of the method, payroll records are generally available for viewing within 72 hours of receiving notice from any agency governing the processing. The Payroll Office destroys all documents legally not required for recordkeeping.

Documents:

Student Hire Form; Student's Data: Name, Social security number, sex, date of birth, address, phone number, Student's Employment Data: position, the date of hire, regular rate of pay

Location: Payroll Office for records less than 2 (two) fiscal years; 1103 East Madison Building for records older than 2 (two) fiscal years
Retention Requirement: At least 3 (three) years after their last date of entry
Regulation: Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
Storage Medium: Paper
 

I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) for Students

Location: same as above Note: Payroll Office does not keep I-9 for Faculty and Staff
Retention Requirement: At least 3 (three) years after hire or 1 (one) year after termination, whichever is longer
Regulation: Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
Storage Medium: Paper
Doc's Owner: Jonathan Seeber - ext 6023; email: seeberj@seattleu.edu  

W-4

Location: same as above
Retention Requirement: At least 4 (four) years after the last date the information on it is used to prepare an employer's tax return
Regulation: Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Storage Medium: Paper
Doc's Owner: Rita Lin - ext 5887; email: rlin@seattleu.edu  

Time Sheets

Location: same as above
Retention Requirement: At least 2 (two) years from their last date of entry
Regulation: FLSA
Storage Medium: Paper
Doc's Owner: Rita Lin - ext 5887; email: rlin@seattleu.edu  

Monthly Report: Bureau of Labor Statistics Report on Employment and Payroll Quarterly Tax Return: Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Return; Employer's Quarterly Report for Industrial Insurance; State Unemployment Tax Return

Location: Payroll Office
Retention Requirement: 4 (four) years
Regulation: IRS, SSA, FUTA
Storage Medium: Paper
Doc's Owner: Rita Lin - ext 5887; email: rlin@seattleu.edu  

Yearly Tax Return: Form W-2, W-3 Form 1099-MISC Form 1042 Annual Withholding Tax Return for U.S. Source Income of Foreign persons

Location: Payroll Office
Retention Requirement: 4 (four) years
Regulation: IRS
Storage Medium:Magnetic tape
Doc's Owner: Rita Lin - ext 5887; email: rlin@seattleu.edu  

Payroll records are stored in various formats; some are stored in a paper format, on microfiche, on line, or diskettes. Regardless of the the method, payroll records are generally available for viewing within 72 hours of receiving notice from any agency governing the processing. The Payroll Office destroys all documents legally not required for recordkeeping.