2026 roadmap
From communications to notable dates and deadlines, here’s a timeline roundup of what to expect in the coming year.
Quick links:
What to Expect in Q1
OBBBA Changes
2026-2028
Nextep has you prepared for the changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). Check out our resources for an employer's guide, checklist, timeline, FAQ, and more.
OBBBA resourcesW-2 Updates
First Week of January
Prevent post office delays to your W-2. Make sure your address is up-to-date. Here's how.
Holiday Closure
January 1, 2026
Banks and Nextep will both be closed for New Year's Day. Please contact your payroll specialist for any changes. See the full list of holidays.
State Law Updates
January 1
Many states update their minimum wage and state laws every January 1st. Also check your state's DOL.
Check our Compliance Hub for an overview of the latest compliance updates.
Labor Posters
Early January
Time to check your worksite locations for updated labor posters.
Need to order or download new posters? Start here:
Poster DownloadsEITC Notices
Throughout the Year
If you employ people in one of these locations, you must notify employees about the federal and/or state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and other applicable tax credits: California, Colorado, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, Oregon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia. Get more info:
EITC noticesElevate Dashboard
January 1
Company admins, check out your Elevate Dashboard in the Company tab of your Elevate by Nextep™ account throughout the year to keep tabs on your company's payroll, plan participation, employee count, and terminations.
W-2 FAQ
Mid-January
All W-2s for the previous year will be sent no later than January 31. In the meantime, get answers to frequently asked W-2 questions to know what to expect.
Holiday Closure
January 19, 2026
Banks will be closed for Martin Luther King Jr Day, but Nextep will remain open. Please contact your payroll specialist for any changes. See the full list of holidays.
W-2 Is Ready!
January 31
Your W-2 will be mailed no later than January 31, but the easiest and fastest way to access your W-2 is in your Elevate by Nextep™ account or mobile app, navigating to Pay, then Taxes.
OSHA 300A Posting
February 1 - April 30
Each year from February 1 to April 30, many workplaces must post an OSHA 300A summary of work-related injuries and illnesses from the previous year. Read more.
Holiday Closure
February 16, 2026
Banks will be closed for Presidents Day, but Nextep will remain open. Please contact your payroll specialist for any changes. See the full list of holidays.
Anti-Harassment Training
Time to schedule your annual anti-harassment training. This is a great opportunity to try our FREE online training platform. Learn more here.
What to Expect in Q2
Taxes Due
April 15
Deadline to file personal federal tax returns. If you received tax-exempt tips or overtime, you will need to manually calculate them for tax year 2025. Here's how.
Violence Prevention
April
April is Workplace Violence Prevention Awareness Month. Use this as a reminder to revisit your procedures and preparedness plan.
Safety RemindersYouth Labor
May
Hiring young workers for the summer? Get a refresher of youth labor laws. Note: your state regulations may differ. If so, you must use the law that most benefits the employee.
Holiday Closure
May 25, 2026
Banks and Nextep will both be closed for Memorial Day. Please contact your payroll specialist for any changes. See the full list of holidays.
EEO-1 Reporting
Likely May
EEO-1 reporting on the registration portal typically opens in Q2, but is currently TBD. While your company must ultimately submit the info, you can invite Nextep to assist. Please contact Nextep's Compliance department for help. Read more here.
Holiday Closure
June 19, 2026
Banks will be closed for Juneteenth, but Nextep will remain open. Please contact your payroll specialist for any changes. See the full list of holidays.
What to Expect in Q3
State Law Updates
July 1
In addition to Jan 1, several states and localities update their minimum wage and employment laws July 1. Find overviews from Nextep's Compliance Hub or your state Department of Labor.
Labor Posters
July 1
Since many new state laws became effective July 1, check your worksite locations to see if you need updated labor posters.
Holiday Closure
July 3, 2026
Banks and Nextep will both be closed for Independence Day, observed on Friday, July 3. Contact Nextep for changes. See the full list of holidays.
Company Benefit Selection
Mid-July
Company leaders: Welcome to benefit renewal! See your company's selection & renewal details for the coming plan year in your Elevate by Nextep™ account. Log in, click the Company tab, and follow the link in the banner, guiding you through the process.
renewal resourcesUpdated SBC Docs
Updated Early July
Need an index of summaries of benefits and coverage (SBC)? See our SBC inventory, in English and Spanish. This resource is especially useful for COBRA participants.
SBC docsPCORI Fees Due
July 31
You may owe PCORI fees if you sponsor an HRA or self-insured plan. Carriers cover Nextep's fully funded plans, but HRA fees fall to the client. Our benefits team can help you prepare and file IRS Form 720.
Open Enrollment
August 1-15
During this time*, your employees may enroll or waive their benefits. Nextep will communicate when enrollment opens. Plans become effective October 1.
open enrollment resources* Note, your company may use a different timeline.
Summary Plan Description
August 1
If you need to reference the summary plan description (SPD), it is available online.
Holiday Closure
September 7, 2026
Banks and Nextep will both be closed for Labor Day. Please contact your payroll specialist for any changes. See the full list of holidays.
What to Expect in Q4
Benefits Effective
October 1
If you participated in mid-year open enrollment for medical and/or supplemental Nextep benefits, elections are effective October 1. Contact Nextep Health Assist for benefits help.
Holiday Closure
October 12, 2026
Banks will be closed for Indigenous /Columbus Day, but Nextep will remain open. Please contact your payroll specialist for any changes. See the full list of holidays.
Medicare Part D Notices
October 15
Plans that provide prescription drug coverage must notify Medicare Part D-eligible people by October 15 whether their drug coverage is creditable or non-creditable. Nextep's master plan is creditable, and we email this notice on your behalf. If you have a differing plan, you will need to notify your eligible employees. See CMS.gov for more info.
Check your Paystub
Mid-October
Did you make changes in this year's mid-year open enrollment? If so, check your first paycheck of October to ensure all deductions are correct.
FSA/HSA Enrollment
November 1-30
Time to make next year's FSA or HSA selections. Note, you must re-enroll each year; previous year's elections to carry over. Elections are effective January 1.
FSA/HSA resources.Holiday Closure
November 11, 2026
Banks will be closed for Veterans Day, but Nextep will remain open. Please contact your payroll specialist for any changes. See the full list of holidays.
Holiday Savings Payouts
Late November
Annual payouts for your Holiday Savings Account occur in November, just in time for holiday shopping! Your existing enrollment will continue uninterrupted for your convenience. Edit your selection in your Nextep account.
Holiday Closure
November 26 & 27
Banks and Nextep will both be closed for Thanksgiving Day. On Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, Nextep will be closed, but banks will be open, and payroll can be dated for that day. Please contact your payroll specialist for any changes. See the full list of holidays.
Year-End Reminders
Late November
As the year comes to a close, it's time to make sure you've taken care of every detail.
year-end checklistNotify Nextep
December 22
Tell your Nextep payroll specialist about changes in ownership percentage, fringe benefits, or S-Corp owners with 2% or more ownership no later than December 22. Your last day to run bonuses for this calendar year is also December 22.
Holiday Closure
December 25, 2026
Banks and Nextep will both be closed for Christmas Day. Please contact your payroll specialist for any changes. See the full list of holidays.
Here's What to Expect Year-Round
Employee Onboarding
When employees are hired
We make the new hire process easy. When you hire a new employee, we automatically send a series of emails to your employee with their online new hire forms, as well as to you when your portion of the I-9 is ready.
Benefits Eligibility
When employees become eligible
Once your employee becomes eligible for benefits in a Nextep-administered plan, we'll automatically send them a notification with the option to enroll. During their initial eligibility, employees have 30 days to enroll. Their next opportunity will be during open enrollment period or within 30 days of experiencing a qualifying event.
HR Tips
Every 1-2 weeks
We regularly post updates about compliance, tips for running your company, and more. Stay up to date by visiting Nextep's blog:
HR tipsCompliance Alerts
As needed
We keep track of the changes that affect you. Check out our Compliance Hub for the latest:
compliance hubBenefits Carriers
As needed
Any of the individual benefits carriers may email or otherwise communicate directly with plan participants regarding their plans, claims, accounts, and other health-related activities.
Empower 401(k)
Every 1-2 weeks
Participants in Nextep's Empower retirement plan may sign up directly for messages from Empower about financial wellness and savings goals.
empower newsletterRetirement Webinars
Quarterly
Participants & plan-eligible employees in Nextep's Empower retirement plan are invited to attend Empower's educational webinars about budgeting for retirement.
empower learningTech Upgrades
Periodically
Our developers at Nextep are constantly innovating! We may contact all users of the Elevate by Nextep™ account or mobile app to let them know of new features and roll-outs.
Surveys
Semiannually
We value your feedback! We often follow up help with a survey. Check out our methodology and use of Net Promoter Score (NPS).
We also survey company leaders approximately twice per year. We pride ourselves in our award-winning service.
See What Our Clients Say
Contact Us
We're here to help!
Call us at 888-811-5150, chat with us in your Elevate by Nextep™ account, or click the button below to get in touch.