Thomas & Thorngren

Last week the National Association of State Workforce Agencies released the results of a survey relating to UI taxes.  Following are some of the conclusions:  35 of the 51 state programs expect UI tax payments to increase in 2010.  The median increase is 27.5%. A total of 24 states will increase their taxable wage base [...]

For 2010, the state (Arkansas) unemployment taxable wage base will increase from $10,000 to $12,000.  With respect to UI tax rates, an extended benefits tax of 0.10% will be added to the total tax rate for experience-rated employers.  Examples of how these changes will combine to affect 2010 UI tax payments can be viewed on [...]

A 1.5 percent surcharge takes effect on October 1, 2009 because of the low balance in the South Dakota Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. In other words, your tax rate for the fourth quarter of 2009 is increased by 1.5 percent, affecting your tax payment due January 31, 2010. Your tax payment for the third quarter [...]

Substantially higher unemployment tax rates are in store for most Maryland employers for 2010.  Tax Rate Table F will take effect, which is the highest tax rate table in the statutes.  Tax rates for experience-rated employers will range from 2.20% to 13.50%.  There will be no change in the taxable wage base, which remains at [...]

Iowa Workforce Development has announced that the UI taxable wage base will increase from $23,700 to $24,500 for 2010.  Also, tax rate Table 4 will be in effect.  This rate table contains significantly higher tax rates than the rate table currently in effect (Table 6). Examples of the combined impact of these two changes are [...]

When budgeting for 2010, be sure to take into account significantly higher state unemployment tax payments. For most companies, the biggest impact will be felt at the end of April 2010, when the tax payments for the first quarter are due (because the SUI taxable wages are the highest in the first quarter). Simply put, [...]

It appears likely that Hawaii unemployment taxes will increase by an unprecedented amount next year, due to a combination of a higher taxable wage base and a higher tax rate schedule.  Unfortunately, the Hawaii unemployment tax rate notices are normally not issued until March, so it is difficult for an employer to know what amounts [...]

Kansas UI tax rates for next year are expected to be increased because of the depletion of the Kansas unemployment compensation trust fund.  Many tax rate brackets will contain rates which are twice the comparable rate for 2009. For employers with positive reserve account balances, the 2009 tax rates range from 0.00% to 3.24%.  Because [...]

Massachusetts unemployment tax rates are expected to be twenty-five percent (25%) higher, in general, for 2010.  We have been advised by the Massachusetts Department of Labor and Workforce Development that the state unemployment compensation trust fund has decreased to the level where it appears likely that the highest tax rate table (Table G) will take [...]

Florida Unemployment Tax Will Be More Expensive Next Year Legislation signed by Governor Crist on June 1, 2009 will substantially increase UI tax payments for all for-profit employers in Florida.  This legislation is a reaction to the high level of unemployment and the significant increase in benefit payouts. The taxable wage limitation will increase from [...]