# November 2026 Clients’ Updates & Reminders > November 2026 Clients’ Updates & Reminders 2027 Calendars Are Here! Our 2027 desktop calendars are here and are ready for pickup at our Edmonds office. Please stop by and pick up yours while supplies last. We look forward to seeing you! Business Updates October 2026 Excise Tax Return Reminder This is a friendly reminder that \[…\] Canonical URL: https://alisanacpa.com/november-2026-clients-updates-reminders/ **November 2026 Clients’ Updates & Reminders** **2027 Calendars Are Here!** Our 2027 desktop calendars are here and are ready for pickup at our Edmonds office. Please stop by and pick up yours while supplies last. We look forward to seeing you! **Business Updates** October 2026 Excise Tax Return Reminder This is a friendly reminder that the October 2026 WA State Department of Revenue Excise Tax Return is due soon. If you have not already provided your sales information, please send us your sales information by Monday, November 16th to ensure timely filing. **Washington Business Owners: 5 Employment Rules Worth Reviewing Before 2027** As we approach 2027, here are a few important WA State employment requirements that business owners should keep in mind. **1. 2027 Minimum Wage and Salaried Employees** [https://www.lni.wa.gov/news-events/article/26-17](https://www.lni.wa.gov/news-events/article/26-17) Beginning of January 1, 2027, Washington State’s minimum wage will **increase to $17.73 per hour**. Some local jurisdictions will have higher minimum wage rates than the state minimum. - Bellingham: $19.73 per hour - Burien: $20.49 per hour (15 or fewer employees), $22.49 per hour (between 16-500 employees), $22.49 per hour (501 or more employees) - Everett: $20.52 per hour (Jan 1-June 30, 2027), $21.52 per hour (July 1 – Dec 31, 2027) - Renton: $22.28 per hour - SeaTac: $21.47 per hour - Seattle: $22.14 per hour - Tukwila: $22.45 per hour Also, paying employees a salary does not automatically exempt them from overtime. For 2027, the minimum annual salary for most executive, administrative, and professional exemptions is $82,976.40 for employers with 50 or fewer employees and $92,196 for larger employers. Specific job duties requirements must also be met. **2. Managers and Tip Pooling** Restaurant owners should be especially careful when including managers in tip pools. An employee’s title does not determine eligibility. However, employees who legally qualify as managers or supervisors cannot receive pooled tips, even when they help serve customers. They may keep tips received for services they directly and solely provide. If your restaurant uses tip pooling, consider reviewing employee responsibilities and documenting how tips are distributed. **3. Employees’ Break Time** Washington requires a 10-minute paid rest break for every four hours worked. Employees cannot waive these breaks, even by agreement. This is especially important for small businesses where employees sometimes work alone. **4. Paid Sick Leave** Employees can earn at least one hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked. Employers must also carry over at least 40 hours of unused sick leave from one accrual year to the next, or the full unused balance if less than 40 hours. For optional Paid Sick Leave Policies such as Paid time off (PTO) programs, please visit [https://www.lni.wa.gov/workers-rights/leave/paid-sick-leave/optional-paid-sick-leave-policies](https://www.lni.wa.gov/workers-rights/leave/paid-sick-leave/optional-paid-sick-leave-policies) **5. Workers’ Compensation and Workplace Posters** Employers should ensure that workers’ compensation coverage and required quarterly reporting are current. If an employee is injured at work, employers should not discourage them from filing claims or offering to pay medical expenses privately to avoid reporting. Also, remember that Washington’s three required L&I workplace posters are available free of charge. Taking time to review these requirements can help business owners avoid compliance issues and unnecessary penalties. For more information, visit the [Washington Department of Labor & Industries](https://www.lni.wa.gov/). **INDIVIDUAL TAX UPDATES** **Protect Your Tax Information with an IP PIN with the IRS** [https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-reminder-take-steps-now-to-protect-tax-information](https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-reminder-take-steps-now-to-protect-tax-information) The IRS reminds taxpayers to protect their personal and tax information by obtaining a six-digit Identity Protection PIN to help prevent tax related identity theft. **The IRS’ Year End Tax Planning Reminder** [https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-reminder-year-round-tax-planning-can-make-filing-easier](https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-reminder-year-round-tax-planning-can-make-filing-easier) The IRS encourages taxpayers to review their income tax withholding and estimated tax payments, organize their tax documents in advance, and take advantage of IRS online services. If you have any questions about these updates or need assistance, please feel free to contact our office. As Thanksgiving is just around the corner, we would like to sincerely thank you for your continued trust in our firm. Wishing you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving! ALISA NA CPAs & Advisors **Please note our upcoming holiday closures. Nov 26th Thursday & 27th Friday: Closed (Thanksgiving Weekend) Dec 24th Thursday & 25th Friday: Closed (Christmas Eve and Christmas Day) Jan 1st, Friday: Closed (New Year’s Day)