In this cowboy-themed year-end special of It’s About Payroll, Brian and Walter saddle up to ride through the biggest payroll updates every pro must prepare for as 2025 closes and 2026 approaches. They kick off with news around the economy — including U.S. foreclosure filings rising nearly 20% year-over-year and property insurance premiums spiking 70% over five years — highlighting why accurate payroll matters more than ever to employee stability.
The conversation turns to technology, including AI agents already being deployed in Amazon Connect and even the IRS, sparking discussion around the future of payroll automation. Then comes the main rodeo: year-end tasks, W-2 rules, 10-form e-file thresholds, penalties ($60, $130, $330+, and up to millions for large filers), Social Security verification tools, and common W-2 mistakes.
The hosts break down the OB3 Bill, tip & overtime deductions (up to $25K for tips; $12.5K single / $25K joint for OT), new guidance, and what employers should and should NOT do. They wrap up with retirement updates including 401(k) limit increases and Secure 2.0 catch-up provisions. A practical, funny, relatable year-end run-through for payroll folks everywhere.
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Holiday Mashup: Payroll, Pay Cycles & Pie
🎙️ Welcome to a special holiday mashup episode of "It's About Payroll"! 🎉
In this episode, your hosts dive into a festive mix of payroll hot topics and holiday fun. We break down the real impact of off-cycle payrolls—are they a customer service win or a business headache? We debate whether payroll should stand alone as its own department and if it deserves a seat in the C-suite. Plus, we explore the pros and cons of Earned Wage Access (EWA): is it a true benefit, a bandaid, or a risk for financial fragility?
You’ll also get actionable insights for payroll pros, lively debates, and a rapid-fire holiday food edition of "This or That." Whether you’re a payroll nerd, HR leader, or just here for the laughs and gratitude, there’s something for everyone.
⏩ Topics Covered:
Off-cycle payrolls: pain points & solutions
Earned Wage Access: necessity or overdependence?
Should payroll be its own department?
Payroll’s place in the C-suite
Holiday food debates & gratitude moments
👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more payroll insights and industry conversations!
https://wrkdefined.com/podcast/its-about-payroll
itsaboutpayroll.io
https://youtu.be/fYAbuK7rzo4
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Why All Roads Lead to Payroll and Workday Knows It
In this episode of It’s About Payroll, Brian and Walt sit down with Trista Yerkich-Faul, an 18-year Certified Payroll Professional and former Workday HCM consultant with deep expertise bridging payroll operations and HR technology . Trista breaks down one of the industry’s biggest misconceptions: that Workday is only for large enterprises. She explains how Workday Go, a streamlined deployment methodology, now enables small and midsize businesses to go live in as little as 60 days at roughly 10–15% of historical deployment costs .
She also reveals why 25% of companies switch payroll providers every year, often due to poor service and tech fatigue, and how Workday’s single-code-line architecture eliminates file transfers, manual prorations, and reconciliation headaches that plague other systems . Trista highlights plug-and-play package solutions—like the Payroll Transparency Dashboard, which can reduce HR ticket volume by up to 60%—making Workday even more accessible for lean teams .
Listeners walk away with a clear picture of how Workday supports growth, reduces prep time from days to hours, and provides long-term stability that helps businesses avoid repeated system overhauls.
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Paychecks, Purpose, and Plant-Based Living with Tabitha Brown
Welcome to a special reposting of Episode 89! In this inspiring conversation, we sit down with the incredible Tabitha Brown—America’s mom, actress, author, and social media sensation.
Tabitha shares her journey from humble beginnings in Eden, North Carolina, to becoming a beacon of positivity, wellness, and authenticity for millions.
In this episode, Tabitha opens up about:
- The importance of trust and transparency in business and life.
- How she manages her finances and empowers her team.
- Lessons learned from her family and her rise to success.
- The value of budgeting, giving, and staying true to yourself.
- Navigating the entertainment industry and supporting the next generation.
Whether you’re here for motivation, business insights, or just some good vibes, Tabitha’s wisdom and warmth will leave you inspired.
Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more amazing conversations!
https://wrkdefined.com/podcast/its-about-payroll
https://youtu.be/FFwa_Cork8E
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From Chaos to Control: Lessons from a Payroll Powerhouse
In this episode of It’s About Payroll, hosts Brian Escobar and Walter Duncan sit down with industry powerhouse Jenny Lee, a seasoned payroll and HCM expert known for driving transformation through process optimization and collaboration. Jenny shares her journey from hands-on practitioner to strategic leader, revealing what truly makes a payroll implementation succeed—or fail.
From the debate between best-in-breed vs. all-in-one systems to the common pitfalls of joining midstream projects, Jenny emphasizes the importance of communication, stakeholder engagement, and post-go-live accuracy. The trio also explores how AI and automation are reshaping the field, but not replacing the human expertise required for compliance and quality.
Witty, insightful, and refreshingly candid, this episode gives listeners an insider’s view into the evolving payroll landscape and the mindset it takes to thrive. Whether you’re a payroll veteran or new to the profession, Jenny’s advice will leave you inspired to lead smarter and implement better.
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Brian Escobar and Walter William Duncan III are the hosts of It’s About Payroll. Collectively, they have over 4 decades of experience in the payroll industry. This podcast was created with the intent of sharing their knowledge and attracting new talent to the payroll industry.
ItsAboutPayroll.io
You can access their LinkedIn profiles.
https://www.linkedin.com/mwlite/in/escobarbrian
https://www.linkedin.com/mwlite/in/william-duncan-477051187