October 7, 2013
In an effort to reduce the burden of unemployment insurance on local businesses, South Dakota is continuing to work on proposed legislation that could reduce UI tax rates, according to The Rapid City Journal. In addition to reducing rates, the proposal also suggests holding the wage base for UI at $14,000, meaning businesses would continue to pay UI on the first $14,000 earned for each employee. The proposed changes would take place beginning in 2015.
Proposal would save businesses millions
The executive director for the South Dakota Retailers Association, Shawn Lyons, said in an interview with The Rapid City Journal that the state legislature appears willing to hold the wage base until the Obama Administration requires moving it up to the $15,000-level. Combined with reducing the reserve ratios, the proposal could save businesses as much as $11 million by the end of 2015.
The news is good for South Dakota retailers and a relief given the UI saga that is playing out in other states, such a California. States that borrowed large amounts of federal money to pay UI are now forced to raise UI rates on employers to pay down debts that have been outstanding for two years or longer. According to Investors Business Daily; California, Ohio, New York, North Carolina and Indiana all have over $1 billion in liabilities, with California hovering around $9 billion. The states all suffer from higher than average unemployment rates as well, which required them to seek large amounts of federal money. Rates continue to go up for employers in the state UI system until the loans are repaid, which could take years for some states.
Nonprofits have other reduction options
While many private entities find themselves at the mercy of increasing UI rates, nonprofit and local governmental organizations can exercise a cost saving option. Tax code allows such organizations to become reimbursing employers and pay back to the state only what is actually paid out to employees.
Groups such as First Nonprofit Companies help nonprofits join a group of over 1,000 other eligible organizations in opting out of the state UI system. Just like the UI rates for private employers, the rules regarding self-reimbursement vary from state to state so working with a company such as First Nonprofit can help nonprofits and governmental entities realize maximum savings.
For information on how your organization can cost-effectively meet its unemployment insurance needs, contact First Nonprofit Companies at FNCUI@firstnonprofit.com or visit www.firstnonprofitcompanies.com.
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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.