Can Your Business Save More by Paying More?

Dec 18, 2014

A client recently sent me a notification they received from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) informing them that they could reduce their unemployment tax rate by making a voluntary additional payment. Usually, paying more taxes in is something employers try to avoid doing, but for certain employers, making this voluntary payment may save them money.

The unemployment rate that employers pay is largely based on their experience rate – the lower their experience rate, the lower their tax rate. The experience rate is dependent on factors such as how much the employer has paid into its account, how much has been paid out in claims, as well as what the average annual taxable wage amount is. If the employer has paid in enough contributions, their account could reach a certain threshold that could reduce the experience rate. The ODJFS will usually notify the employer whether an additional voluntary contribution would help the employer reach that threshold to reduce its rate.

A basic calculation is included with the ODJFS notification that allows the employer to estimate whether the tax savings is more than what the voluntary payment would be. In the case of my client, it did not benefit them enough to make the voluntary payment, but depending on how many employees your business has, the voluntary payment could end up saving you tax dollars. Please contact your William Vaughan Company representative should you need any further guidance.

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