The BULL

In this Newsletter:

• E-Verify’s Annual “Great Data Purge” Is Coming. Are Your Records Ready?

• The Rise of Hiring… Absolutely No One

• A Sneak Peek at Something Big Coming in 2026

• How to Lead Through the Holidays While Keeping Your Sanity

• AUDAX INSIGHTS — “No Match? No Problem.”

• PCORI Fee Increase: What you need to Know

E-Verify’s Annual “Great Data Purge” Is Coming. Are Your Records Ready?

On January 5, 2026, USCIS will hit the big red delete button and permanently wipe all E-Verify employer records more than 10 years old. Most companies only in the past few years have started to use E-Verify due to state regulations. You’ve got until January 4, 2026, to download your Historical Records Report for E-Verify cases last updated on or before December 31, 2015, if you want a copy which is always a good idea. Now’s the time to make sure your files are tidy, saved, and not sitting in some digital junk drawer before the purge begins.

Why does USCIS delete these records every year? Simple: data piles up fast, and the government would like to avoid holding onto ancient employee info forever (hello, privacy risk). And you’re not on your own. Audax is already working with our clients to make sure the right documents are saved and nothing important slips through the cracks. We're here to guide you through the process and ensure your filed stay organized, compliant, and secure.

Source: E-Verify Annual Record Disposal for 2026: Important Dates and Details Employers Need to Know.

The Rise of Hiring… Absolutely No One

Did you know that nearly a third of all job listings are nothing but smoke and mirrors? According to MyPerfectResume, 2.2 million so-called “job openings”… never actually hire a soul. For years the federal labor data showed that job postings and actual hires moved together like a buddy-cop duo. Then the pandemic hit, both tanked, both recovered, and suddenly postings shot past 11 million while hires stayed stuck around 6–7 million, resulting in up to 38% ghost jobs.

Ghosting has become a two-way street. A survey found that 70% of workers have been ghosted by employers, with no call, no email, and no “it’s not you, it’s budget cuts.” Meanwhile, companies complain that candidates vanish mid-process or even on day one. While not every unfilled job is a deliberate “ghost,” sometimes it’s labor shortages or internal chaos. But the outcome is the same: candidates wasting time on job listings that are about as real as Bigfoot. 

At Audax, we think ghost posts don’t just spook job seekers; they drain trust, damage your brand, and stall your hiring. If you want real candidates for real, we can help with recruiting and bring your positions back from the dead.

Source: Marq Burnett, Associate Editor, The Playbook.

A Sneak Peek at Something Big Coming in 2026

Audax exists to help companies support and handle their HR needs in many areas and we are always searching for ways to improve and make clients’ experiences better and keep up with all those ever-changing regulations. Soon we will be rolling out a new Audax HR Portal that is custom designed for each client designed to make your life easier. You’ll be able to:

• Sign in and access all your company documents customized by Audax in one secure spot

• Get real-time updates on laws and regulations in your state

• Create and store job descriptions, new hire forms, and changes

• Have available some new HR tools

• Access Audax fillable reports for quick, streamlined HR tasks

We’re aiming to launch early next year, and over the coming weeks we’ll be sharing more details and giving you access to explore the portal. Think of it as your new go-to hub for all things HR that is simple, centralized, and ready when you are.

Stay tuned, we can’t wait to show you what’s coming!

The holidays are equal parts festive cheer and “how are we already at year-end?” chaos. With more than half of employees reporting holiday stress, this season can be a productivity dip and emotional drain all wrapped in a sparkly bow. That’s why great leadership in December boils down to three things: clarity, flexibility, and emotional awareness.

Give your team a clear picture of what actually needs to get done before the ball drops, offer flexibility so people can juggle real-life holiday logistics, and be mindful that not everyone’s holiday season looks like a greeting card. And whatever you do, model real boundaries. If you're “just checking in” at 11 p.m., your team will, too. A little clarity, compassion, and gratitude now sets the tone for a calmer December and a stronger January.

Source: Leading Through the Holidays, monday.com.

With the closing of the year upon us, you may receive a “No Match” from your payroll provider or the IRS, or a Tentative Nonconfirmation (aka a “no-match”). Don’t stress; let us assist. It’s usually just a data hiccup with Social Security Numbers or Legal Registered Names, with the government not matching payroll records. In some cases, it also means you have another situation on your hands that needs to be handled. Good news: Audax will work with you to get you off Uncle Sam’s radar and ensure your employees' W-2s are reported correctly to avoid penalties. If we need anything, like an SSN confirmation or updated documents, we’ll reach out directly. Easy, calm, and compliant.

Quick Side Note:

Now’s a great time have employees confirm their mailing address, review W-2 election, and decide whether they’d like to opt in for electronic delivery. Let us know if updates are needed!

The IRS is back with another update, and yes, it involves raising a fee. In Notice 2025-61, the PCORI fee gets bumped to $3.84 per covered life for plan years ending between Oct. 1, 2025 and Oct. 1, 2026. The PCORI fee has been around since 2012 and was supposed to end in 2019, but Congress extended it through 2029 because nothing says “long-term commitment” like a government fee that refuses to die.

Employers and insurers still must file and pay via Form 720 every July 31, and missing the deadline is a bad idea. The fee is based on the average number of lives covered, and it depends on your plan structure. We put together a blog that explains PCORI. You can check out the full guide HERE.