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Utah employers must begin to electronically file W-2,1099 forms

Utah employers will be required, beginning in January, to electronically file state W-2 withholding and 1099 forms.

"This will be a significant change for about 60,000 businesses," said Charlie Roberts, spokesman for the Utah State Tax Commission. "Of the more than 80,000 Utah employers, only about 25 percent filed withholding documents electronically in 2015."

A law passed by the 2015 Legislature prohibits the Tax Commission from issuing income-tax refunds before March 1, unless both employer and employees have filed all required returns and forms.

The Tax Commission has sent notices of the law to all businesses and will send more information next month.

Three-day grand opening at Lane Bryant in Farmington

A three-day grand opening starts Friday at a Lane Bryant store in Station Park mall, 235 N. West Promontory, in Farmington.

This is the 12th Lane Bryant store along the Wasatch Front. Among 775 stores nationally, the clothing chain for larger women also has outlets in Salt Lake City, West Valley City, West Jordan, Middle, Draper, American Fork, Lehi and Riverdale.

Friday visitors to the new Station Park location will be eligible for a $25 gift card. A tote bag will be given, while supplies last, to people spending $75 or more, a company spokeswoman said.

Kent's Market joins 'Buzz Points' shop local rewards program

Kent's Market, an independently owned grocery chain with four stores in northern Utah, has joined the "Buzz Points" shop local loyalty and rewards program.

The free consumer program is offered by the Horizon and Box Elder credit unions, offering points for using their credit union debit and credit cards at local, independent retailers.

"Our mission is to offer the best range of locally sourced, freshly baked, prepare-to-order products at the best prices," said David McKay of Kent's Market, which has stores in Brigham City, Roy, Clearfield and Tremonton. "Buzz Points is a program that not only aligns with our philosophy of supporting local commerce but also … allows us to thank our loyal customers with additional rewards and grow our business."

UESP received top rating possible from Morningstar, Inc.

The Utah Educational Savings Plan (UESP), the state's official savings program for college, has received the top rating possible from Morningstar, Inc., an independent investment researcher.

This is the fifth year in the row that UESP has gotten a "gold" rating, indicating the investment plan is likely to outperform industry benchmarks.

"Morningstar continues to recognize UESP for its plan simplicity, low fees and solid investment offerings," said Executive Director Lynne Ward, noting the plan has more than 295,000 accounts and $8.36 billion of assets under management.

MasterControl Inc. and i4DM to provide software to FDA

Salt Lake City-based MasterControl Inc. and a partner, i4DM, will provide a quality management software system to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.

The center's division of pharmaceutical analysis will use the company's system for managing documents, training records, audits, change requests and other quality-control processes, said MasterControl executive vice president Matt Lowe.

This is the company's second agreement with the FDA. MasterControl's software also is used by the agency's ORA division, which inspects regulated products and manufacturers in the field.

sPower signs up S. California Public Power as customer

sPower has signed another customer for the solar power facility it is developing in Lancaster, Calif.

The renewable energy provider from Salt Lake City said it signed a 20-year agreement with the Southern California Public Power Authority to provide 69 megawatts of power to the cities of Azusa, Colton, Riverside and Vernon.

Ryan Creamer, sPower's CEO, said construction of the solar-power facilities is projected to begin in mid-2016 with operations commencing before year's end. The facilities are expected to generate enough renewable energy for 10,000 homes and to reduce carbon emissions by about 108,000 metric tons annually, he said.