The Massachusetts Division of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) has released the 2010 employer contribution rates for unemployment taxes. Employers may check their rate using QUEST. Rates were determined using Schedule E, the same schedule as was used in 2009. Even though the rate schedule remained the same, individual employer rates generally changed based on activity in their account during the measurement period of October 1, 2008 to September 30, 2009. Since the rates were released late in the quarter, some employers may have significant overpayments or underpayments of tax because the rate differential must be applied to all subject wages for the entire first quarter.

Employers who received their rate decrease before the last payroll of the quarter will receive a credit in the last payroll of the quarter for the difference between the tax collected and the tax now due using the new rate. Employers who received their rate decrease after the last payroll of the quarter will receive a refund check for the difference between the tax collected and the tax now due using the new rate.

Employers who received their rate increase before the last payroll of the quarter will need to pay the additional tax equal to the difference between the tax collected and the tax now due using the new rate in the last payroll of the quarter. Employers who received their rate increase after the last payroll of the quarter will need to pay the additional tax equal to the difference between the tax collected and the tax now due using the new rate in an additional end-of-quarter payroll.

The adjustment in the last payroll or additional payroll should be the only adjustment required to correct the tax liability for 2010. Contact Vision Payroll if you have further questions on the 2010 employer contribution rates for unemployment taxes.