Unemployment Compensation Taxes: FUTA and SUTA Overview

1. CHAPTER 5 Payroll Accounting 2010 Bernard J. Bieg and Judith A. Toland UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION TAXES Developed by Lisa Swallow, CPA CMA MS

2. FUTA and SUTA • FUTA • Federal Unemployment Tax Act • Passed as part of Social Security Act of 1935 • Federal law that imposes an employer tax • Required for administration of federal and state unemployment insurance programs • SUTA • State Unemployment Tax Act • Different law in each state • Funds used to pay benefits and administer program at individual state’s level In current economic situation, unemployment insurance programs are being stretched very thin!

3. Who is Covered Under FUTA • FUTA originated through passage of SSA of 1935 • Employers are liable for this tax if • Pay $1,500 or more of wages in anyquarter in current or prior year • Employ one or more persons, on one day in each of 20 weeks in current or prior year • Special rules for agricultural and household employers If employer owes FUTA – liable for entire year!! • Employees include • Part-time, temps and regular workers • Workers on vacation/sick leave • Agricultural employees (special rules) • Household employer

4. Employees Covered Under FUTA • General rule is everyone is considered an EE if common-law relationship exists • Also specifically includes • Drivers who distribute food/beverage or deliver laundry • Traveling salespeople (certain situations) • Specific exceptions include • Partners • Directors • Independent contractors • Home workers • Full-time life insurance salespeople • Children under 21 working for parents • RRTA or governmental employees • Complete list on page 5.4

5. Who is Covered Under SUTA • Employees generally covered under SUTA if covered under FUTA • Likewise employers specifically excluded under federal law generally excluded under state laws • Many states apply “ABC” test for SUTA exclusion (meaning all of following tests must be met): • Is the worker free from control/direction • Is work performed outside usual course of business • Is person customarily engaged in an independent trade or business

6. Interstate Employees and SUTA • With multi-state employees, sometimes a question arises as to which state employer is liable for SUTA (to decide - apply following in order) • Where is work localized (meaning where is work primarily performed) • This is most compelling criterion - most states assign coverage if work is primarily performed within that state • Where is operational base (management, business records) • Where are operations directed (state where control exists) • Employee’s residence

7. Reciprocal Arrangements • If factors from prior slide do not yield appropriate answer, Interstate Reciprocal Coverage Arrangement may be fashioned • Employer covers all worker’s services in one state, then all affected states must approve • Benefit to employer as he/she can chose state in which all services of interstate workers are to be covered • Based on most advantageous wage base and contribution rate

8. Taxable Wages for FUTA/SUTA • Taxable FUTA wage base caps at $7,000/year • Taxable SUTA wage base caps at different amount in each state (Figure 5-1 on pages 5.12 - 5.14) • Wages include • Bonuses, advances, severance pay • Stock compensation - fair market value • Tips • Retroactive wage increases • Complete list of taxable wages found on pages 5.7 – 5.8

9. Specifically Exempt Wages for FUTA • Advances or reimbursement of business expenses • Retirement pay • Educational assistance payments • If part of nondiscriminatory plan • Meals and lodging if for employer’s benefit • Strike benefits • Complete list on page 5.8

10. FUTA Rates • FUTA rate = 6.2% of first $7,000 of gross wages for each employee per year • 5.4% credit against FUTA (allowed for SUTA taxes)* Therefore gross 6.2% less 5.4% credit = .8% net FUTA *Even if experience rating allows ER to pay a lower rate than 5.4%

11. Credits Against FUTA Tax • To get full 5.4% SUTA credit, employer must have • Made SUTA contributions on timely basis - on or before due date for filing • Been located in a state that is not in default on their Title XII advances • Title XII of the Social Security Act lends funds to states so they may provide unemployment compensation funds from federal government • Credit is reduced (.3% per year beginning the second year after the advance)

12. SUTA Laws & Rates • Each employer’s rate based upon experience rating (see next slide) • Some states utilize reserve-ratio formula to lower contributions based on low risk of unemployment • Nonprofits have option to reimburse state for actual amount of unemployment benefits paid instead of paying percentage • SUTA Dumping Prevention Act mandates that states enact laws to stop businesses from lowering their unemployment rates through creating new entities

13. SUTA Rates • Experience rating reflects stability of ER’s employment history • Also called merit rating • Provides for reduction in SUTA rates • Most common formula is reserve-ratio formula • Positive balance employers will experience lower tax rate – this means employer has built up a balance in reserve • Some states require employees to contribute to SUTA • Some states reduce rates if employers make voluntary contributions to state fund

14. How to File Form 940 • Form 940 due by January 31 of next year • Or if timely deposits have been made, have until February 10 to file • Need to attach Schedule A (Form 940) if multi-state employer or have SUTA credit reduced • Filed with IRS District Center in which business is located – thereafter IRS will send preaddressed Form 940 • Can e-file after submit electronic IRS letter of application • A final return must be filed in year company ceases doing business

15. FUTA Reporting Requirements 940 has multiple sections • Part 1 - Did company pay SUTA to one state? • Part 2 – Calculate FUTA tax before adjustments • Part 3 – Determine adjustments • Part 4 – Compare adjusted FUTA tax to deposits and calculated balance due or overpayment • Part 5 – Report FUTA liability • Parts 6 – 8 – Delineate third party designee, paid preparer and sign Individual may sign if sole proprietorship Principal officer may sign if corporation Duly authorized member may sign if partnership Fiduciary may sign if trust or estate

16. FUTA Deposit Overview • Deposit quarterly - but only if cumulatively over $500 • Due dates are as follows* 1/1 - 3/31 deposit by 4/30 4/1 - 6/30 deposit by 7/31 7/1 - 9/30 deposit by 10/31 10/1 - 12/31 deposit by 1/31 *If falls on Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, have until following business day

17. How Much FUTA to Deposit • If $500 or more, must deposit by last day of month following close of quarter • If less, can wait and add to next quarter, then if it’s $500 or more, must deposit • If never gets over $500, pay with Form 940 at year-end • Use Form 8109 coupon and deposit with an authorized depository • Or if employer deposits other federal payroll taxes electronically, must deposit FUTA electronically

18. SUTA Deposit and Reporting Overview • SUTA requirements vary widely by state • In the states where EE also pays into SUTA, both EE and ER taxes deposited together • SUTA quarterly contribution report generally shows the following • Each employee’s gross wages and taxable SUTA wages (wage information) • Contribution rate x taxable SUTA wages • Amount of required payment • Usually includes wage information report per employee

19. Additional SUTA Information Reports • Forms vary by state but may include • Status Reports • Initial registration with state as employer liable for SUTA • Wage Information Report • Earnings per employee and SS# are reported • Separation Reports • Informs state of separated employees - aids in determination of eligibility for benefits • Partial Unemployment Notices • Notifies state and the employees who have had their hours cut back to part-time of potential eligibility for partial unemployment benefits