Global Payroll Doesn’t Have to Be Intimidating, Workshop Explains

During Tuesday’s Session 2 workshop, Congress Xstream attendees expanded their knowledge with “U.S. Employers and Global Payroll Challenges.”

Presented by Danita Lewis, Global Account Director at Integrated International Payroll (iiPay), attendees had their global payroll knowledge expanded with lessons on global payroll trends currently impacting payroll departments.

“The purpose of this workshop was to share challenges U.S. employers face when considering or are taking initial steps to move their business into another country or countries,” Lewis said.

The workshop covered various global payroll topics including foreign employment, working abroad, outsourcing, and global compliance. Lewis covered in her presentation how cultural differences can affect global payroll in a person's daily life in many ways. 

"One unique area is Germany and the church tax," said Lewis. "They declare their religion, and once you declare your religion you are taxed a certain percentage and it's given to that particular church. In 2018, $600 million was collected due to the church tax."

Attendees took note and affirmed this in the chat. 

"If you want to be married and buried by the church, you have to pay the church tax," wrote Jan Higham, CPP. 

Lewis hopes the workshop makes global payroll a less intimidating challenge to payroll professionals.

“Global payroll does not have to be challenging, but it is different,” Lewis said. “I hope attendees take away from this workshop that payroll statutory requirements will differ from country to country.”