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Are You Withholding Paid Family Leave? | Baron Payroll

Written by Baron Payroll | Jul 23, 2025 3:19:19 PM

Did you know that in New York—and 13 other states plus D.C.—employers are allowed to withhold Paid Family Leave (PFL) contributions from employees’ paychecks instead of footing the entire bill themselves?

Surprisingly, many business owners don’t know this. And even worse? Some payroll providers like ADP are making this decision for them—without ever asking.

What is Paid Family Leave (PFL)?

Paid Family Leave provides job-protected, paid time off to employees who need to care for a loved one, bond with a new child, or handle family matters due to a military deployment. It’s an essential benefit—but it doesn’t have to be a financial burden for your business.

Here's the catch:

In New York, employers can legally pass along a portion of the annual PFL cost to employees. In 2025, that contribution maxes out at approximately $354 per employee for the year.

If you’re a business owner with 20 employees, that’s a potential savings of over $7,000—money that could easily cover your payroll processing costs.

The Problem with Some Payroll Companies

Some payroll providers don’t withhold PFL—even when they legally can. They either:

  • Don’t know the rules

  • Don’t give you the choice

  • Or just make the decision for you

That means you might be unknowingly paying thousands in costs that your employees could be contributing to—legally and fairly.

At Baron Payroll, we believe in empowering business owners with the facts—and the freedom to decide.

Why This Matters (Especially in NY and California)

Regulation-heavy states like New York and California come with added scrutiny and complex compliance rules. Failing to withhold the correct deductions—or even overpaying when you don’t have to—can lead to fines or wasted money.

That’s why we make compliance simple.

When you work with Baron Payroll:

  • We’ll help you set up PFL the right way, based on your state’s rules

  • You’ll see PFL listed clearly on employee pay stubs, separated from disability

  • We’ll explain your options and let you decide what’s best for your business—not the other way around

Should You Be Withholding Paid Family Leave (PFL)?

If you’re in one of the 13 states (or D.C.) that allows PFL withholding and your payroll company isn’t doing it—or never even mentioned it—you may be overpaying.

This isn’t just a policy detail—it’s a bottom-line issue.

Want to know if you’re set up the right way?

👉 Use our instant price calculator — no sales call required.

Or visit https://www.baronpayroll.com/itin-service to learn more.

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