January is usually a month of changes: wrapping up the previous year, starting the new one, taking on some resolutions. But 2011 has brought some pretty major changes, even by January standards, at COATS.
Our newest versions of COATSsql and COATS Standard include the new tax changes signed into law just a few weeks ago. The Tax Relief Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act Of 2010 reduced the employee Social Security tax rate for wages paid in 2011 from 6.2 percent to 4.2 percent and lowered the maximum withholding from $6,621.60 to $4,485.60.
COATS has delivered updates to both COATSsql and COATS Standard that reflect the newest tax laws—and we did it well before the deadline of January 31 to give you a headstart in adjusting your payroll for 2011. If you need to update your edition of COATS, just go to our customers-only site.
That kind of fast, professional service, combining accuracy and responsiveness, is what you’ve come to expect from COATS. To allow us to continue providing this excellent service, COATS will be raising its per-hour rates for technical support starting next month.
For more than a decade, COATS has charged the same hourly rate for the quality technical support that we provide despite rising employee and support costs. Starting on February 1, 2011, our cost for technical support will increase to $75 per hour. This increase will help us retain our knowledgeable, skilled support specialists and maintain our strong level of support and attention to our customers.
Please note that the increase will begin after the 2010 year-end push and after our new releases and updates. Even with the increase, this rate still puts us at the low end of technical support charges for the software industry.
We value all of our clients, and we value the employees who keep our clients happy, productive and profitable. If you have feedback for us on these changes, please let us know.