July 2024 | Issue 51
Unemployment Insurance, Paid Leave and WA Cares:
Q2 reports and payment are due July 31
Be aware of a known technology issue with future-dated Paid Leave payments. See the alert on the Paid Leave website.
Unemployment Insurance: Act before Sept. 30 to protect your tax rate
If you have a balance, get a deferred payment contract
Avoid a delinquent tax rate for 2024! By Sept. 30:
- File all your tax reports.
- Pay your current and past-due unemployment taxes, penalties and interest in full.
Consider a deferred payment contract if you cannot pay
Are you unable to pay your balance owed? You can protect your tax rate by getting a deferred payment contract. Email our Collections unit at ESCtax@esd.wa.gov.
If you have a delinquent account, we charge:
- At least one percentage point more on your regular tax rate for the first year you are delinquent.
- Two-percentage points more if you are late two years in a row.
- The maximum social tax rate.
Double-check the SOC codes in your quarterly reports!
Once you submit a quarterly tax and wage report, you cannot amend Standard Occupational Classification codes and job titles. You will need to add or correct them on your next quarterly report.
All employers need to include SOC codes or job titles for their employees on quarterly tax and wage reports. If an SOC code or job title is missing or wrong, our tax computer system will warn you before you submit your report. Correct the report to avoid a penalty.
Questions about SOC code reporting?
Contact socreporting@esd.wa.gov.
Paid Leave: updated resources for your employees
We updated our Paid Family & Medical Leave website and downloadable resources because of recent legislation and program improvements.
Please share with your employees:
Medical certification forms
Health care providers must now return medical certification forms, like the ones used by Paid Family & Medical Leave, within seven calendar days of receiving it. Read the law on the Washington Legislature website.
Visit the Paid Leave Help Center to download certification forms with these updated instructions in English and Spanish. We also updated the certification forms and dual-language instructions in the paper benefit application packets. These are available in 15 languages. You can access the packets by scrolling to the footer of the Paid Leave website and selecting a language.
Transportation Network Company pilot program
A law recently passed by the Washington State Legislature gives rideshare drivers a way to opt in to Paid Leave through a pilot program. Learn more at paidleave.wa.gov/tnc-pilot. You also can read the law on the Legislature’s website.
Revised Benefit Guide
We updated our Benefit Guide to reflect the changes listed in this message. Download the most recent version to get ready to apply for and use Paid Leave.
Paid Leave: an update for you
Power of attorney process
The power of attorney process is now completely electronic for employers and third party administrators with full access to their accounts. You no longer need to submit a paper power of attorney form if you’re an employer or a third party administrator who manages or will manage services for a client company. This process applies to both Paid Leave and WA Cares.
Questions?
Visit the Paid Leave Help Center to download the Employer Reporting and Premiums Toolkit. Learn more about collecting premiums, filing reports and employer responsibilities.
WA Cares: Register for our webinar
WA Cares Basics: What Employers Need to Know
Join us for the latest updates on the state’s long-term care insurance program. Learn more about employer responsibilities. Some of the topics we’ll cover:
- Who contributes to the fund.
- Who can get an exemption.
- How workers will meet contribution requirements.
- What kinds of benefits will be offered.
ASL interpretation and live captions will be available.
When: Wednesday, July 17, 11 a.m.- noon. Register now!
View past webinars at wacaresfund.wa.gov/webinars.
For public service employers: Loan Forgiveness program would like your feedback
If you are a public service employer, your employees may be eligible for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program (PSLF) to forgive their student loan debt. PSLF can be extremely valuable and life-changing to your employees. And it requires no cost and little involvement from you. Use the PSLF Employer Search to see if you are considered a qualifying employer for the PSLF program.
Two surveys: one for you, one for your employees
The state offices of the Student Loan Advocate and Financial Management are working to decrease barriers and expand access to the PSLF program. They have created surveys to gather feedback from employers and borrowers. Each survey should take only a few minutes to complete. They are open through the end of July.
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PSLF survey for Washington state employers - To be completed by those currently authorized to sign PSLF forms at your organization or agency. If no one is currently authorized, someone in your human resources area may complete the survey.
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PSLF survey for Washington state borrowers - For Washington student loan borrowers to tell about their experience with the PSLF program. Please consider sharing this survey with your employees.
The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) has posted resources to help you communicate about PSLF to your employees. Find letter templates and information on the WSAC website. Choose the “Information for Employers” tab under the “How do I apply for PSLF?” section.
Nominate employers who recruit, hire and promote workers with disabilities
To spotlight the important role disability plays in workforce diversity, the Washington State Governor’s Committee on Disability Issues & Employment is accepting nominations for the 32nd Annual Governor’s Employer Awards.
Nominations are open through July 31, 2024.
The Governor’s Employer Awards program honors and celebrates the many and varied contributions Washington’s employers make to recruit, hire and advance workers with disabilities.
The awards program honors employers of all sizes in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. It also honors one employer who supports youths with disabilities through employment preparation and job skills training.
Find nomination forms and instructions on the Governor’s Committee website. You also can request a nomination packet and get more information from Emily Heike. Contact her by phone at 360-890-3776 or by email GCDEawards@esd.wa.gov. Email is preferred.
The awards ceremony will be in October.
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