October 16, 2013
Nonprofits are not exempt from paying state unemployment insurance taxes, but they do have alternative funding options, such as self-insuring or employing full or partially insured alternatives. Self-insuring removes nonprofits from unpredictable SUI tax pools, which have seen tax rates and taxable wage bases grow year after year due to high federal loan debt.
As states struggle to pay back UI debt owed to the federal government, UI tax credits for employers grow smaller each year. Nonprofits that opt out of SUI tax pools only need to reimburse the state for the actual number of claims paid to former employees. SUI tax rates rise regardless of individual employer habits. Many employers pay almost double in taxes the amount that is actually paid out to former employees as UI benefits, making self-insuring an alluring concept. With some states liable for debts of over a billion dollars, self-insuring or insured alternatives would appear to be best practice for most nonprofits.
However, self-insuring creates avoidable unprotected liabilities and can place pressure on an organization's annual fixed revenue. Nonprofits can also join unemployment trusts to mitigate some of the risk of self-insuring, but in many cases such a choice will take them right back to square one. UI group trusts often face many of the same funding challenges as state UI Trust Fund pools.
Drawbacks to group trusts
Private insurance options
Content presented by First Nonprofit Companies, the leading provider of a full-range of state unemployment insurance alternatives for 501(c)(3) nonprofit employers.
Ready to chat? Get in touch today to request a no-obligation savings evaluation.
Working with Marshal Whittey at First Nonprofit has been a great experience. He handles our request as a priority and goes above and beyond to resolve any issues we have in a timely manner. Marshall follows through to the end and ensures our needs are met. He has been a great resource for LSC and our “go to” for any tax questions we may have. With LSC transitioning several facilities into one federal tax identification number, First Nonprofit was able to assist and provide guidance with best practices resolving claims to each entity. Additionally First Nonprofit provided knowledge (information materials) and one on one training to HRS group with best practices to handle claims state adjudicated, fraudulent claims, and appeals. And processing information in the First Nonprofit [unemployment claims] system allows for timely information can be collected.
My experience with FNP has been wonderful. Unemployment in general is quite confusing and FNP has simplified the process for us. Everyone we have reached out to or worked with has been very helpful and follows up to be sure we understand the information. I am so happy we made the switch to FNP!
First Nonprofit smoothed the unemployment perils for our organization during Covid. Without the ability to cap our UI exposure, we would not have been able to weather the storm. The program worked perfectly and we have come out of the pandemic ready to forge on. Thanks FNP!
My experience with the FNP has been fantastic. The idea of setting funds aside for the unemployment tax liability is a bedrock for nonprofit organizations like mine, namely ASHBA; what is even more advantageous is having the FNP as a custodian of those funds. 100% recommended!
I would like to comment on my experience with FNP….to date our District has saved $1,000’s of dollars by being enrolled in the First Nonprofit program. My only regret is that we did not know about this method of paying unemployment tax years ago….as I had figured about five years
ago, had we enrolled 15-20 years ago, we could have saved our small school district upwards of $500,000 in payments to IDES. Also we would have had a pretty hefty sum of money in our Reserve Account. Thankfully I attended a workshop hosted by First Nonprofit back in 2015 which got the ball rolling!
I have worked with the First Non-Profit Team for many years, and I appreciate the quick response and care that Cecilia and the team provides anytime I have questions. While there are other providers that may provide like services, First Nonprofit will always be my first choice! I appreciate you!
First Nonprofit has been easy to work with and makes the administrative process easier and smoother. We enjoy working with you.
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!