Which of the following must be recorded as a liability on the employer’s balance sheet?

Accrued wages must be recorded as a liability on the employer’s balance sheet because they represent the amounts that the employer owes employees for work performed but not yet paid. This liability reflects the company's obligation to pay these wages in the future, typically by the next payroll period. It arises because employees have already provided their services, and although payment has not yet been made, the obligation to do so is present.

In contrast, payroll tax expense, while important for accounting purposes, represents an expense rather than a liability until it is accrued or deferred. Cash payments to employees are actual disbursements and, therefore, reduce the company's cash without creating a liability at the point of payment. Employee benefit costs may be recognized as expenses depending on the timing and recognition of the benefits, but they are not automatically recorded as liabilities unless they are specifically owed to the employee at the balance sheet date.