Yes, we do. Our Payroll Resources and Links section has forms and information of all kinds relating to employment and productions, including:

– Time cards and vouchers, and instructions for completing them
– Worker's Compensation forms and instructions
– Stop payment forms, mileage logs, kit rental inventory and payroll cover sheets
– W-4 forms, W-9 forms, I-9 forms, employee withholding forms for many states as well as a W-2 FAQ
– An entire section on Tax Incentives
– Forms and regulations relating to employing minors

CAPS Universal's Tax Incentives Group provides expertise and guidance on tax credit and other incentive programs offered by cities, states and countries.

Find out what incentives are offered by different states and countries by selecting a continent on the Production Incentive Map and then drilling down to the country, province or state that interests you.

In our Payroll Resources section you can find forms such as Employer First Report of Injury, the CA DWC1 Employee's Claim for Workers' Compensation, Right of Refusal of Medical Aid and more.

Since 1991, CAPS Universal has been the leading payroll solutions partner for hundreds of tudio and independent production companies. We have built our reputation on reliable, innovative and cost-saving solutions for high-profile TV commercial production houses, sports and entertainment venues, and concerts and music tours in all 50 states. We are also the largest nationwide extras talent payroll company. We work for them. We can work for you.

With CAPS Universal as Employer of Record for your production, we process your payroll, handle all unemployment claims, wage verifications, benefit fund contributions and worker's compensation claims. We calculate, report, and pay all employment taxes and employee withholding, as well as calculate, process and report union dues and employer benefit plan pension and welfare contributions. We also prepare quarterly or annual worker's compensation audits and pay premium deposits so you don't have to.

What we do:

– Calculate, prepare, and deliver employee checks, including direct deposit for staff and production employees;

– Withhold and remit employee taxes for Social Security, Medicare, federal, state, and local taxes;

– Calculate, report, and remit employee and employer contributions to pension, health, and welfare trust funds and private employer 401(k) funds;

– Prepare W-2s;

– Process deductions such as child support orders and cafeteria plan deferrals;

– Administer unemployment claims;

– Offer a risk management program for live venues that features employee training and site safety assessments;

– Provide worker's compensation insurance coverage and claims administration;
 

We can customize reports for payroll and HR, and can help you submit your payroll to us electronically, saving you even more time.

We ensure compliance with federal, state and local labor laws and regulations, and offer expertise in the multitude of industry union contracts. CAPS Universal operates in all 50 states.
 

CAPS Universal is the most personalized provider of payroll and benefits administration services to the entertainment industry. Unlike other companies, we won't send you to a different department every time you ask a question. At CAPS, you'll have one point person who will immediately handle your requests and quickly respond to any emergencies.

We are uniquely qualified to help you by operating as the Employer of Record, assuming responsibility for the day-to-day management of all payroll obligations for crew, support personnel and talent. This leaves you free to focus on the core capabilities of your business.

When you work with CAPS, you reap the rewards of outsourcing payroll and benefits administration. What's more, you won’t need additional staff to process payroll, year-end statements, or federal and state payroll tax reports. When you have a requirement, our response is fast, accurate, and friendly.

You'll save time and money on workers' compensation coverage because it's included in our package. It's our policy, not yours.

If an unfortunate event occurs, our workers' compensation policy covers the employee. Furthermore, we'll handle all of the administration regarding the claim, so you won't have to deal with premium deposits or workers' compensation audits.

Unlike commodity payroll companies that just process checks, CAPS Universal offers programs that can really help improve safety in the workplace, such as Illness and Injury Prevention Plans and Safety Training.

Through our CAPS eTrain Group we develop customized software-as-a-service (SaaS) e-Learning modules for delivering, tracking and managing Online safety and HR training. 

Please ask about how we can build a program to serve your specific safety requirements.

Yes. And we have developed easy-to-use accounting interfaces designed to enhance your workflow. As your payroll solutions partner, CAPS Universal will deliver payroll data in a format specifically suited to your needs.

For more information, please see Our Services.

CAPS Pay is a cloud-based hours-to-gross solution designed for production company accountants and production managers in the field, allowing accurate and efficient calculation of time card data. Our innovative time card engine provides real time payroll hot costs during a production or event.

CAPS Pay Benefits:

– Stores Unions, Occupations and Rates by Production Company and Job
– Uses all nationwide entertainment industry agreements
– Calculates Meal Penalties, Turnaround, Work and Travel, etc. 
– Easily duplicates timecards and hours worked
– Create Timecard and Point Zero Reports
– Works with Firefox, Safari or Google Chrome

LAjit is the industry's first and only "Software-as-a-Service" (SaaS) business software that supports your entire company from accounting/enterprise resource planning (ERP) to cost accounting systems developed  specifically for the entertainment industry - Commercials, Music Videos, Feature Films and Television - in a single, integrated and powerful web-based solution.

What makes LAjit SaaS solution different is that it's built around business processes instead of rigid pre-programmed systems. LAjit utilizes service oriented architecture allowing it to adapt to your specific business needs instead of forcing you to compromise your business to fit the software provider. And because LAjit gives you vital business intelligence in real time, you can make better decisions faster.

Key Benefits

– Deliver better business management. LAjit accounting cost software gives CFOs and production accountants worldwide the functionality, information and tools they need to manage their entire business better and streamline operations.

– Lower IT maintenance and upgrade costs. LAjit is cloud-based, cost accounting software with a 99.999% uptime guarantee. This gives you greater reliability while eliminating the need for on-site hardware and software.

– Make better decisions faster. LAjit software gives you real-time business intelligence for any and every aspect of your organization from anywhere at any time...all without employing an army of consultants.

–  Increase collaboration. LAjit SaaS business software offers portals that allow your production partners to collaborate with you using a dashboard customized for their specific needs.

CAPS eTrain is customized software-as-a-service (SaaS) e-Learning modules to deliver, track and manage online safety and HR training.

CAPS eTrain modules can also be repurposed for a multitude of uses such as slideshow presentations (PowerPoint), web conferencing through live or streaming video, or as screen sharing/desktop and application sharing.

Yes, you can pick up timecards at any CAPS Universal location. To serve you better, please call in advance so we can have them ready for you.

No, we do not have a night drop-off box. However, for Los Angeles productions we may be able to pick up your payroll. Please contact your Paymaster to discuss this option.

You can obtain a Workers' Compensation Certificate from the Paymaster handling your account. Also check the Workers' Compensation Forms and Information section on our Payroll Resources & Links page for forms and frequently asked questions.

Contact your Paymaster by email or phone to request a special endorsement or waiver. We also have Workers' Compensation-related forms and information section on our Payroll Resources & Links page.

You can contact your Paymaster by email or phone to request this form, or you can get one from the Workers' Compensation Forms section of our Payroll Resources and Links page.

When are we required to withhold a trust deduction from the minor's paycheck?
We only withhold trust deductions on minors that are talent. If a minor is working a summer job as a production assistant, we do not need to withhold. When the minor actor is a resident of the state of California, regardless of where work is performed, or is a non-resident but is working within the state of California, trust deductions are taken. The same holds true for New York; we withhold for a New York resident regardless of where the work is performed, and for all minor actors working in the state of New York.

How much needs to be withheld?
Fifteen percent, although more can be deducted if the parents desire.

What kind of account do the parents need to set up for the minor?
A blocked trust account.

What happens if the parents haven't set up the trust account before the child works?
The 15% must be withheld whether or not we receive the trust fund information. If the trust fund information is not forthcoming:

–California law requires that after 180 days, the monies be turned over to "The Actor's Fund of America" as trustee.
–New York law requires that monies be turned over to the State Comptroller's Office of New York after 15 days.

How do we get the trust account information to you?
Our Payroll Resources section has a .PDF version of the trust fund deposit form for distribution to parents of minors. Please submit the completed form to us with the payroll time cards or vouchers.

References:
California State Bill No. 1162 and 210
New York Child Performer Education and Trust Act A7510B

You can get a payroll report by submitting a request by fax or mail or e-mail to the office that processed your payroll checks. We need the following information to process your request:

– First and last name
– Contact phone number
– Social Security Number

Yes, we offer direct deposit. To set up direct deposit you must fill out our company form, attach a voided check and e-mail or fax it to the office that processes your payroll. If a voided check is unavailable or the direct deposit will be going into a savings account you must submit a letter from your bank along with the form.

Contact your Paymaster for a Direct Deposit form, and see our Contact Us page for payroll office phone numbers.

You can request a wage report by mail, e-mail, or fax. You must include the following information when submitting your request:

– First and last name

– Contact phone number

– Social Security number

– Work time frame being requested

– Whether you were paid as an individual or as a loan-out corporation 

Yes, you can stop by to pick up your pay check once it is ready. To serve you better, please call in advance so the Paymaster can have your check ready at the front desk. Please be prepared to show current photo identification.

Yes, someone else can pick up a check for you if you notify us in advance. Please contact the Paymaster assigned to your production and give the person’s name. Please be advised that for us to release the check, the person picking up for you must present his or her current photo identification.

You can contact our office in Northbrook, Illinois, and ask to speak to the Accounting Department. Please see our Contact Us page for the phone number.

Contact the office that issued the check to request a check replacement declaration form, or get one from the Payroll Resources and Links section of our website. Complete the form, sign it and fax it to the office that issued your pay check.  Please see the Contact Us page for CAPS office fax numbers.

If your paycheck was lost, stolen or never arrived, contact the office that issued the check to request a check replacement declaration form, or get one from the Payroll Resources and Links section of our website. Complete the form, sign it and fax it to the office that issued your pay check.  Please see the Contact Us page for CAPS office fax numbers.

Yes, you can. Go to the Miscellaneous Forms section of our Payroll Resources and Links page.

Here are answers to common W-2 questions. If you have additional questions please contact your CAPS Paymaster.

When do W-2s go out?
The law requires that W-2s be mailed no later than January 31st each year.

My W-2 never arrived. How do I request a duplicate?
We start taking requests for W-2 copies on February 16th. You can request a duplicate by using the W-2 Reprint Request via the CAPS Employee Portal, or download the W-2 Reprint Request form and fax the completed form to the fax number at the bottom.

If I worked in December of 2006 but got paid in January 2007, which W-2 will include my earnings: 2006 or 2007?
The W-2 reflects when the wages are paid and taxes withheld, not when the work was done. So in this example, the wages will appear on your 2007 W-2.

The Social Security number on my W-2 is incorrect. How do I get this corrected?
Submit a Report W-2 Problem form via the CAPS Administration Portal. Depending on the payroll documents we received when you worked, we may need to request a copy of your Social Security card to confirm the correct number.
 

Can you e-mail my reissued W-2?
Yes. Starting in 2011 we are able to email your reissued W-2 (after we receive your completed W-2 reissue request).

I received more than one W-2. There must be a mistake?
The first W-2 you get will contain your federal wage and withholding information as well as the state wage and withholding information for up to 2 states. You will get an another W-2 for every two additional states where you had earnings and withholding.

I received two W-2s and one had an incorrect Social Security Number. How do I get this corrected?
In the CAPS Employee Portal, submit a Report W-2 Problem form. A new W-2 combining the information will be issued. Depending on the payroll documents we received when you worked, we may need to request a copy of your Social Security card to confirm the correct number.
 

I was paid through my loan-out corporation. Will I receive a 1099?
The law does not require us to send out 1099s to report earnings of a corporation. However,  in the CAPS Employee Portal you can view and print your check stubs or submit a Request Copy of Check Stub form.

I moved and put in a forwarding order with the Post Office. Will I get my W-2?
The USPS does not forward W2 tax documents. If the W2 is deemed undeliverable, the Post Office will return it to us. Please complete the W-2 Reprint Request in the CAPS Employee Portal and a new one will be mailed to you.

I worked for more than one project last year. Will I receive a separate W-2 for each project?
You will receive one W-2 that includes all earnings with the Company. If you had earnings and withholding in multiple states, you will receive one W-2 for every two tax states. 

Where is the list of all of the jobs I worked on?
That information is not included on the W-2. In the CAPS Employee Portal you can view your check stubs, or if you need more information you can submit a question form.

What's my first step if I haven't received my check?

First, call the payroll department to confirm that they have received and processed the payroll that you are waiting for. If so, ask them to confirm the mailing address that they have on file and the date that the check was released. You can find phone numbers on the Support page or use the Contact Us link. Both links are below.

When should I request a stop payment?
– If you received the check but it was lost or stolen.
– If you verified that the mailing address on the check was incorrect.
– If it has been more than 10 business days since the check was mailed to the correct mailing address.

How do I place a stop payment on my check?
Please log in to the CAPS Employee Portal and use the online Stop Payment Request. A completed Stop Payment Declaration form will then be e-mailed back to you. You can either print the form and return a signed copy to the fax number indicated on the form, or you can return it by e-mail to the e-mail address indicated on the form.

How long does it take to replace a check after I return the signed Declaration Form?
It generally takes 24 to 48 hours.

Can I pick the check up or does it have to be mailed?
You can make arrangements to pick up the check by contacting your Paymaster or phoning the Payroll Support number on the Support page.

I deposited my check but it is not showing up in my account. What do I do?
You will need to call your bank to resolve this issue.

I requested a stop payment but was told my check had already been cashed. What do I do?
From your bank you should request a copy of the front and back of the cancelled check to verify that the signature is not yours or does not belong to someone you know who might have cashed or deposited the check on your behalf.

I've seen the check endorsement and I can verify that it was forged. What do I do now?
Contact the bank representative who provided you with the endorsed check copies and advise them that you need a Forgery Declaration form. You will need to sign the form and have it notarized, at which time you should send it to us.

What happens next?
We forward the Forgery Declaration to our bank, and then our bank contacts the bank where the check was cashed. Once that bank verifies that the endorsement was forged, our bank will give us the go-ahead to reissue the check.

How long does the process take?
From start to finish, it can take up to 3 months before we get the final approval to reissue the check. We always do our best to expedite our end of the process.

If you have any additional questions, please use the Other Question form in your Employee Portal to write to us, or contact your Paymaster.