Four important developments stand out:

• National hiring improved in August, led by restaurants, manufacturing and specialty trades.
• Updates may require Form I-9 reviews.
• Businesses using the IRS FIRE system must begin transitioning to IRIS.
• Several federal and Florida employer deadlines are approaching. (Including Florida’s minimum wage increase)

The United States added 162,000 jobs in August, while the unemployment rate remained at 4.1%. Hiring was especially strong in several industries:

• Restaurants and drinking establishments added 59,000 jobs.
• Manufacturing added 16,000 jobs.
• Nonresidential specialty-trade contractors added 8,000 jobs.
• Average hourly earnings increased 3.1% over the previous year.

These numbers suggest improving demand in industries commonly served by MyTown Solutions, including hospitality, manufacturing, construction and skilled trades. However, Florida’s August employment report will not be released until September 18th. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

What this means for employers: A larger applicant pool may make some positions easier to fill, but qualified skilled-trade and specialized workers may remain difficult to find.

Business opportunity: Employers experiencing hiring challenges may benefit from direct-hire recruiting, flexible staffing and payroll solutions designed around changing workforce needs.

USCIS issued updated guidance for employees whose work authorization is connected to Temporary Protected Status, or TPS.

Why this matters: Continuing to employ someone without valid authorization can create compliance exposure. However, automatically terminating an employee or requiring a specific document may create discrimination concerns.

Recommended action: Review affected Form I-9 records, document applicable automatic extensions and complete reverification only when legally required.

The IRS is retiring the Filing Information Returns Electronically system, commonly known as FIRE. Businesses that previously used FIRE must transition to the Information Returns Intake System, or IRIS, before filing tax-year 2026 information returns during the 2027 filing season.

Important transition dates include:

November 1: Final day to submit test information returns through FIRE.

November 9: Final day to modify FIRE transmitter-code applications.

November 19 at 3 p.m. ET: Final deadline to file information returns through FIRE.

Current FIRE users should apply for an IRIS Transmitter Control Code and begin preparing their software or CSV files for the new system. Internal Revenue Service

Important distinction: This transition primarily affects businesses filing 1099s and other information returns through FIRE. It does not replace regular W-2 filing through the Social Security Administration.

Recommended action: Add IRIS preparation to year-end payroll and tax-filing reviews. Waiting until January could lead to rejected files, filing delays or penalties.

September 21: Federal-Contractor Disability Rules

Updated Section 503 regulations remove several requirements for covered federal contractors, including mandatory disability self-identification, use of Form CC-305, the seven-percent utilization goal and related statistical analyses.

Disability nondiscrimination and reasonable-accommodation obligations remain in effect. Federal Register

September 30: Florida Minimum Wage Increase

Florida’s minimum wage increases to $15 per hour on September 30. The minimum direct cash wage for tipped employees becomes $11.98 per hour when the full tip credit is properly applied. FloridaCommerce

Employers should review:

• Employee pay rates
• Staffing and client billing rates
• Employment contracts
• Job postings and offer letters
• Timekeeping and payroll systems
• Pay periods that cross September 30
• Updated workplace posters

September 30: VETS-4212 Reports

Covered federal contractors and subcontractors with qualifying contracts of at least $150,000 must submit their annual protected-veteran employment information by September 30. U.S. Department of Labor

September 30: Florida Reemployment-Tax Records

Historical reemployment-tax filings from Florida’s former filing system remain accessible only through September 30.

Employers should download and securely store:

• Previously filed returns
• Payment confirmations
• Filing histories
• Other important account records

Florida Department of Revenue

October 15: Medicare Part D Notices

Employers offering prescription-drug coverage must provide Medicare Part D creditable or non-creditable coverage notices to Medicare-eligible covered individuals before October 15. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

• Review Form I-9 records before September 9th.

• Verify payroll transactions affected by the Labor Day closure.

• Prepare for Florida’s $15 minimum wage before September 30th.

• Review staffing rates and client contracts for wage-related changes.

• Begin transitioning from FIRE to IRIS.

MyTown Solutions helps Florida employers simplify workers’ compensation, payroll, staffing and employee-management responsibilities.

Our team can assist businesses with:

• Payroll and minimum-wage preparation
• Staffing and direct-hire recruiting
• Workers’ compensation solutions
• Year-end payroll readiness
• I-9 record organization
• Workforce planning and compliance support

Preparing early can help employers avoid rushed payroll changes, missed deadlines and unnecessary compliance problems.

This newsletter is provided for operational and educational purposes only. It is not legal, immigration, employee-benefits or tax advice.