SAN ANSELMO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & MEMBER UPDATES 




FREE Holiday Parking in San Anselmo!

The Town of San Anselmo is providing 
FREE four-hour parking to holiday shoppers . The free four-hour holiday shopping period begins on  Friday, November 25, 2016,  and will continue through  Sunday, January 1, 2017 . During this period, the parking meters will not be operating. There will be enforcement for parking over the four-hour limit.  And, as always, the disabled, red zone and other safety related parking violations will be enforced.


Holiday Tree Lighting
Thank you for making our 2016 holiday tree lighting a success!






Upcoming Events

Marin Women's Hall of Fame Gala!
The Marin Women's Hall of Fame was established in 1987 to honor the achievements and con- tributions made by pivotal and powerful women in Marin who have ensured the progress and well-being of citizens and the community, both locally and globally. Marin County would not be the thriving region it is without the many exceptional women who have called it home over the years. This year, we are thrilled to celebrate the 30 th Anniversary of celebrating Marin women. 
Nomination Tips                        How to Nominate Your Candidate


U.S. Immigration Agency Publishes New Form I-9

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The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)  published a revised version of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification (rev. 11/14/2016 N).
By  January 22, 2017, employers must use only this new version. Until then, they can continue to use either the version dated 03/08/2013 N or the new version.
According to the USCIS, there are several changes in the new version to help reduce technical errors, including:
  • Section 1 asks for "other last names used" rather than "other names used," and streamlines certification for certain foreign nationals.
  • The addition of prompts to ensure information is entered correctly.
  • The ability to enter multiple preparers and translators.
  • A dedicated area for including additional information rather than having to add it in the margins.
  • A supplemental page for the preparer/translator.
In addition,  the instructions for completing the Form I-9 are now separate from the form and include specific instructions for completing each field.
According to the USCIS, the revised  Form I-9 is easier to complete on a computer. Enhancements include drop-down lists and calendars for filling in dates, on-screen instructions for each field, easy access to the full instructions and an option to clear the form and start over. When the employer prints the completed form, a quick response (QR) code is automatically generated, which can be read by most QR readers.

New Workers' Comp Law Changes Definitions of Excluded Employees; May Affect Existing Policies

Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones has  notified workers' compensation insurers  of upcoming changes to the definition of "employee" and to who is an excluded employee. The changes are a result of recently signed legislation,  Assembly Bill 2883 .
Beginning  January 1, 2017, all business workers' compensation insurance policies, including in-force policies, will be required to cover, among others, certain officers and directors of private corporations and working members of partnerships and limited liability companies that may be excluded from coverage under current law.
Under the law as it exists today, officers, directors and working partners generally  are not required to be covered under a company's workers' compensation policy, unless they elected to be covered.
Under AB 2883, the presumption is changed:
  • Officers, directors, and partners generally are required to be covered under the employer's workers' compensation policy.
  • There is a narrower definition of excluded officers, directors and partners who can still opt out.
  • For those who still meet the narrow exclusion, a waiver of rights must be signed under penalty of perjury stating that the person is a qualifying officer or director. The waiver must be filed with the employer's insurer.
"We have issued a notice today to workers' compensation insurers so that they know what the new law requires of them and we directed insurers to provide notice to employers so they are made aware of the new law,"  said Commissioner Dave Jones.
Insurance companies must identify and provide notice to each employer that may have employees who were previously excluded from coverage and are affected by the new law. Insurers also are required to determine and report the premium and loss experience associated with those who have not chosen to opt into the coverage.
It is important to note that the California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) has indicated that this change in law applies to in-force policies as of January 1, 2017. Per the notice from the Insurance Commissioner:
Unless a duly executed waiver is received and accepted by the insurance carrier on or before January 1, 2017, any individual that had been exempted from coverage under the workers' compensation policy, including but not limited to, an officer or member of the board of directors of a corporation, or an individual who is a general partner of a partnership or a managing member of a limited liability company, will need to be added to the coverage provided by the insurer until such time as a duly executed waiver is received and accepted by the insurer.
Employers who believe they may be affected by this change in law are encouraged to contact their workers' compensation insurer or their workers' compensation agent or broker.


EDD Updates
E-file and E-pay Mandate (AB 1245) will soon affect all California Employers!
Partner today with the Employment Development Department's (EDD) outreach campaign to promote awareness of the upcoming e-file and e-pay mandate. Employers will soon be required to electronically submit employment tax returns, wage reports, and payroll tax deposits to the EDD.
  • Beginning January 1, 2017, employers with 10 or more employees will be required to electronically file and pay.
  • Beginning January 1, 2018, all remaining employers will be required.
Employers can use  e-Services for Business  to comply with the e-file and e-pay mandate. e-Services for Business is a fast, easy, and secure way for employers to manage their payroll tax accounts online. Additional online resources are available, such as tutorials  and  FAQs . Help your members enroll today!
The EDD can provide the following ready-to-use marketing materials and resources to your members at no-cost:
  • Printed marketing materials (tip card, info sheet, brochure).
  • Digital marketing materials (suggested verbiage to use in emails, social media postings, and newsletter articles).
  • Online resources (webpage links, tutorials, FAQs).
  • PowerPoint presentations (in-person presenters, webinars via Adobe Connect).
If you are interested in any of the above ready-to-use marketing materials and resources, please contact us at (916) 255-1948 or EfileAndPayMandate@edd.ca.gov
 
For your convenience, please see the following attachments to share with your members: Information Sheet: E-file and E-pay Mandate for Employers (DE 231EM) and association article. We look forward to hearing from you.
 
E-file and E-pay Mandate Team
Employment Development Department
(916) 255-1948
EfileAndPayMandate@edd.ca.gov


Sales and Use Tax Rate Decreases 0.25 Percent
Effective January 1, 2017

The statewide sales and use tax rate will decrease one quarter of one percent (0.25%) from 7.50 percent to 7.25 percent on  January 1, 2017. The decrease in the statewide rate is effective for all cities and counties in California; however, the actual sales and use tax rate may still be higher than the statewide rate in many jurisdictions in California due to the addition of district taxes.
Why is the sales and use tax rate decreasing?
Proposition 30,  The Schools and Local Public Safety Protection Act of 2012, was approved by California voters in November 2012 to temporarily increase the sales and use tax by 0.25 percent. The sales and use tax imposed by Proposition 30 expires  December 31, 2016.
Where can I find more information? 
Guidance on how the tax rate decrease affects partial exemptions, fixed-price contracts, returned merchandise, fuel rates, and return filing can be found on the Board of Equalization (BOE) webpage   Sales and Use Tax Rate Decreases January 1, 2017. You may also call the BOE's Customer Service Center at 1-800-400-7115 (TTY:711) where customer service representatives are available to assist you weekdays 
from  8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific time), except holidays.

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News from our Members

 
Dr. Robert Aycock, LINDISIMA Act 2, & Haute Jewels
invite you to shop and save

Wednesday December 7th  5:00pm-7:00pm
190 Bon Air Shopping Center, Greenbrae

20% off Holiday Outfits 20 % off Jewelry
$200 off Coolsculpting
$50 off Dysport/Botox

Dysport treatments available at the event  
Call to reserve your space (415)925-1700 

Champagne &  hors d'oeuvres
Door prizes & gift baskets
RSVP by 11/30 (415) 925-1700 


Special December Rate ! Guestrooms in Susanna Baird Retreat Center
It's DECEMBER...Do you have friends and family coming to town? 
Need an extra guestroom or two? 
We are offering a special $70 a night rate in Susanna Baird Retreat Center!
Offer Rate expires Dec 31.  (Rate is only applicable on stays during the month of December 2016)
 
Book Today  -We require at least 1 business day and payment in full before arrival date to confirm bookings.



SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10th !
8:00 am seating & 10:00 am seating
The San Anselmo Recreation Department has partnered with the Ross Valley Fire Station to bring the popular Breakfast with Santa event to Fire Station #19 (777 San Anselmo Avenue). Do not forget your wish list and your camera as Santa will be in attendance. It would not be a Breakfast With Santa without him! 
There will also be a toy drive so be sure to bring a toy!
Pre-Purchase Tickets Online  at www.sananselmorecreation.org: 
$6/child (10 years & younger) & 
$8/adult
At the door: $8/child, $10/adult 
Limited seating is available. 


For more information, contact the Recreation Department and 258-4640






The vibrant, lavish Stapleton Ballet Nutcracker provides a magical start to the holiday season! Now in its 28thyear, this production features inspired dancing, beautifully crafted sets and exquisite costumes. Artistic Director Virginia Stapleton's engaging production is designed to delight audiences young and old and features guest artists performing with over 250 dancers from the Stapleton School of Performing Arts. Complimentary meet and greet with costumed characters after 1:00 p.m. matinees. 
www.stapletonschool.org 
 
Stapleton School of the Performing Arts
www.stapletonsc hool.org
(415) 454-5759
 



115 San Anselmo Ave., San Anselmo
(415) 925-4370
WEDNESDAYS:
Wine tasting mini classes 
A flight of three whites and three reds representative of their varietal characteristics and growing regions:  $30


So many wonderful things happening at Golden Gate Learning Center!
Everyone is invited to join us on Tuesday, December 20th for a family field trip to St. Mary's College, hosted by our amazing Chess Club Coach Christopher Major of Novato Chess Club and Hayward Youth Academy.

$7 per adult, $0 for children
$5 per meal

Be on campus by 3:30!
Keynote Speaker is our own Daniel Ezell: On Classical Education
Tour of campus
Dinner in the cafeteria
Basketball game at 8pm: St. Mary's Gaels vs. Stanford! (Gaels are currently ranked #12)

Please RSVP as soon as possible so we can secure your tickets.


Word on the street.

Schedules fill up fast around the holidays, and demand for these services is rising. Hire now before pros are booked.

www.thumbtack.com
San Anselmo Chamber of Commerce
LEADERS CIRCLE MEMBERS

415.454.2510 | info@sananselmochamber.org  |  w ww.sananselmochamber.org
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