We have a guest blogger today. Though most of my followers are employed in the payroll profession, some are facing the loss of a job themselves or know someone who is during these trying times. Our blog today is provided by The Simple Dollar. It explains the various ins and outs of unemployment insurance during the pandemic as well as helpful hints on surviving once unemployment benefits run out. I hope you find it informative.
As of today the following states have released or announced their SUI wage bases for 2021.
| State | Wage Base | State | Wage Base | State | Wage Base | State | Wage Base |
| AK | $43,600 | KS | $14,000 | NM | $27,000 | WI | $14,000 |
| AL | $8,000 | KY | $11,100 | NV | $33,400 | WV | $12,000 |
| AR | $10,000 | LA | $7,700 | NY | $11,800 | WY | $27,300 |
| AZ | $7,000 | MA | OH | $9,000 | |||
| CA | $7,000 | MD | $8,500 | OK | $24,000 | ||
| CO | $13,600 | ME | OR | $43,800 | |||
| CT | $15,000 | MI | PA | $10,000 | |||
| DC | $9,000 | MN | RI | $24,600/
$26,100 |
|||
| DE | $16,500 | MO | $11,000 | SC | $14,000 | ||
| FL | $7,000 | MS | SD | $15,000 | |||
| GA | $9,500 | MT | $35,300 | TN | |||
| HI | $47,400 | NC | $26,000 | TX | $9,000 | ||
| IA | $32,400 | ND | $38,500 | UT | $38,900 | ||
| ID | $43,000 | NE | $9,000/24,000 | VA | $8,000 | ||
| IL | $12,960 | NH | VT | $14,100 | |||
| IN | $9,500 | NJ | $36,200 | WA | $56,500 |
Here is our updated chart for State Unemployment insurance wage bases for 2021. Still a few states need to report in but we are getting there. I will update again next week.
It’s that time of year again where we ring out the old year and ring in the new. To ensure that we have our calculations for our state unemployment insurance correct, payroll needs the wage bases for all states where they currently have employees located. The chart below lists the SUI wage bases that have been released so far. I will be updating this blog new wage bases come in.
States are working fast and furious to get out their response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since my last update blog, Connecticut, Hawaii and Indiana are among the states that have either released or updated the FAQs on their websites with new information on the latest COVID-19 measures.
Some states are offering tax relief in terms of delaying either unemployment insurance payments or withholding tax deposits. These include: Iowa, Missouri, North Carolina, North Dakota and Texas. However, Arkansas and Colorado, at this time, are not offering extensions for payments or deposits of withholding taxes.
When it comes to unemployment claims, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Vermont are not charging an employer’s account for SUI benefits claims related to the COVID-19 emergency.
Need more info on the latest for the Corona Virus pandemic and payroll related items? Today is the last day to register for my webinar tomorrow on all things payroll related to COVID-19 including the Families First Act, the CARES Act (and tax credits), state updates on filing and tax relief and garnishment updates including IRS tax levies and student loans. Use coupon code BBTK7FCJ at checkout to receive a 10% discount off the $149 registration price.
As I posted in my last blog, many states as well as the federal government are making temporary changes to tax filing deadlines, unemployment insurance requirements and other matters during this pandemic. The following is a recap of the latest updates that have crossed my desk this week:
Note: I will be offering a webinar on the payroll related items occurring during this pandemic. See info at bottom of blog for more details.
Federal: the U.S. Treasury Department, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and the U.S. Department of Labor (Labor) announced that small and midsize employers can begin taking advantage of two new refundable payroll tax credits, designed to immediately and fully reimburse them, dollar-for-dollar, for the cost of providing Coronavirus-related leave to their employees. This relief to employees and small and midsize businesses is provided under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (Act), signed by President Trump on March 18, 2020. For full details see IRS website’s Coronavirus webpage.
The following states are providing filing or deposit penalty relief or extending deadlines due to the Corona Virus:
Unemployment Insurance Update: The following states are waiving waiting times or making other temporary changes:
The following is provided by these states:
San Francisco, California: Workers and Families First Program will provide paid sick leave to impacted workers.
New York: Guaranteed sick leave for New Yorkers under mandatory or precautionary quarantine
The federal and state governments are focusing on providing either tax relief, lost wages relief or updates when employers are affected by the Corona Virus. This may include delaying reporting or allowing for penalty relief. It may also include mandatory sick pay, clarification on current sick pay mandates or changes to unemployment insurance qualifications. The following are some of the actions being taken by the IRS or states during this difficult time:
Internal Revenue Service: The IRS has established a special section focused on steps to help taxpayers, businesses and others affected by the coronavirus. This page will be updated as new information is available. This page includes information on (1) Deferring tax payments and (2) High deductible plans covering the pandemic.
So far, the following states are addressing the pandemic:
States Extending Filing Deadlines:
State Unemployment and/or Disability:
The following states have suspended the waiting period for unemployment benefits for any employees affected by the Corona Virus: California, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, and Washington. 
Paid Sick Leave Updates or Guidance:
San Francisco: The San Francisco Office of Labor Standards Enforcement (OLSE) has issued guidance regarding the use of San Francisco paid sick leave for situations involving the recent Coronavirus outbreak.
Colorado: Effective March 11, 2020, emergency rules temporarily require employers in certain industries to provide a small amount of paid sick leave (up to four days) to employees with flu-like symptoms while awaiting coronavirus (COVID-19) testing. The DLSS has a webpage dedicated to the emergency rules with further information that will be updated as 
necessary.
New Jersey: Workers may use sick leave, apply for TDI or apply for Family Leave Insurance due to the Corona Virus.
Washington: Workers who are sick with the virus and have a Certification of a Serious Health Condition form signed by a healthcare provider may be eligible for Paid Family and Medical Leave benefits. The ESD has a comparison guide and a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) to find out which programs and benefits are available in various circumstances.
As more information comes in for the states, I will update this blog.
The state legislature has passed AB 1245, a bill that requires California employers of 10 or more employees to submit quarterly payroll tax returns and pay the associated payroll taxes electronically over the California Employment Development Department website starting in 2017. The bill also requires all employers to file and pay electronically effective January 1, 2018. The bill awaits the governor signature and he is expected to sign it.
Today is the last day to receive updates through this blog. Starting on Monday, August 3rd, the blog will be devoted to discussing current payroll issues and questions.
To continue receiving our payroll-centric news updates, subscriber to our news service, The Payroll Advisor, for only $65 per year.
Effective January 1, 2016, Tennessee employers with 10 or more employees must file their state unemployment insurance (SUI) wage report electronically. Currently the threshold for mandatory filing is 250 or more employees.
As of March 16, 2015, the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) has become part of the newly created Talent Investment Agency (TIA) under the umbrella of the newly-created Department of Talent and Economic Development. Because of this change, the UIA is no longer housed within the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. All contact numbers are the same.
