March 10, 2014
The volatile state of unemployment insurance in the U.S. is having a heavy impact on employers as well. While widespread unemployment has pushed many workers out of their jobs and into the unemployment office, the system that provides the benefits has become overburdened. State funds for many unemployment agencies dried up early on in the recession due to high demand.
To continue paying claims, many states had to take loans from the federal government. After two years, the loans must be paid pack in full, with interest, or the federal government reduces tax credits to employers to hasten the loan repayment. This means many employers could see an increase in UI costs without a change in unemployment at their own organization.
According to the website News-Leader, Missouri owes over $300 million to the federal government, meaning employers in the state would need to be taxed that much to pay back the loan. Tax credits will continue to decrease each year in the state until the loan is entirely repaid. Even after the loan is repaid, the state will also need to replenish the fund for existing unemployment claims.
The problem and solution for nonprofits
Nonprofits with tight budgets often find it difficult to meet rising cost responsibilities. The unpredictability of future unemployment insurance expenditures are bad news for organizations that may have already found themselves in a tight spot. While nonprofits are exempt from paying federal UI taxes, the state taxes are where there the employer credit disappears so their costs rise just like those of traditional employers.
However, one advantage offered to nonprofits is the ability to opt out of unemployment insurance tax pools and become a self-reimbursing employer. Under this designation, nonprofit employers are responsible only for the actual cost of claims submitted by former employees. Simply put, a nonprofit with no claims would have no costs related to state UI.
Enrolling in an unemployment savings program
There are risks for nonprofits, though. Should they see a sudden increase in claims they will find themselves responsible for a large financial obligation. Without the funding provided by the state tax pool, the cost could be devastating.
The solution is a program that provides a fixed annual cost that is lower than the tax rate and still provides security against an increase in claims. Unlike state tax payments, contributions to an Unemployment savings program, such as that offered by First Nonprofit Companies, can be made each quarter. This allows for a smaller, more predictable payment which is easier to budget for.
In state tax pools, contributions are made every year regardless of UI claims, so nonprofits are often paying to cover the costs of other businesses. In a savings program, there is no shared risk and the annual fee is based on the nonprofit's own risk profile. Furthermore, the account can be carried on an organization's books as an asset and is returned should they leave the program.
Ready to chat? Get in touch today to request a no-obligation savings evaluation.
We first started using First Nonprofit’s Unemployment Savings Program when we were a small startup nonprofit. We didn’t have an HR department and needed expertise in the event that an unemployment claim was made. We knew we were eligible to be a reimbursing employer, but weren’t sure how to navigate that process. They made it easy to set things up, plan for, and then manage claims when they came at a very reasonable cost. The amount of time and stress they’ve saved us dealing with all this has been worth way more than the cost. We’ve now grown to a large nonprofit and do have an HR department but have no plans to stop using their services. I highly recommend them to every nonprofit I come into contact with!
Throughout our membership in the Unemployment Savings Program, First Nonprofit understood our demands, community dynamics, and the importance of seamless services; that allowed us to serve our constituents better.
Because INCS advocates for the operating conditions that allow charter public schools to provide high quality public education, partnering with First Nonprofit was an easy decision. First Nonprofit’s unemployment programs provide our member schools two operating elements crucial to their ability to provide high quality public education: savings and budget certainty. Capable, committed teachers are the key to student success. By participating in the unemployment insurance savings plan, charter public schools gain peace of mind and are able to invest more money in their teachers.
It has been our sincere pleasure to maintain a strong, vibrant business partnership with First Nonprofit. We greatly admire their strong industry knowledge, technical expertise, constant professionalism, knowledgeable and dedicated staff. They are always extremely responsive, personable and provide us with the necessary guidance and recommendations on a numerous variety of employment scenarios.
NYCON members who use First Nonprofit’s programs enjoy enduring savings and improved efficiency. Our association knows that success, because from the beginning, we achieved the same great benefits. Great savings, seamless technology, and responsive service. NYCON highly recommends First Nonprofit’s remarkable unemployment solutions.
Visually Impaired Preschool Services has been a client of First Non-Profit since it was first offered as a benefit of VisionServe Alliance. We completed a thorough evaluation of cash savings to our agency before taking advantage of this wonderful benefit and it has been a very wise decision. Our experience with the processes from accounting to claims have been professional, expeditious and easy.
Luckily for us, our interactions regarding any issues with staffing has been very minimal! I can say that all other interactions with regards to billing, 941 reporting, etc. have been extremely pleasant, accommodating and easy to work with. Kim Ghanayem is always prompt, professional and friendly. Thank you so much!
First Nonprofit has been easy to work with and makes the administrative process easier and smoother. We enjoy working with you.