April 2025 | Issue 60
Q1 unemployment, Paid Leave, WA Cares reports
and payments due by April 30, 2025
File all your quarterly reports by April 30. Remember to use your 2025 tax and premium rates when filing these reports. If you work with a third party to file your reports, remind them to use the 2025 rates.
If you had no payroll for any quarter, be sure to file a “No payroll” report.
For unemployment tax quarterly report
If you cannot pay your balance owed, ask us about a deferred payment contract. Email our Collections unit at ESCtax@esd.wa.gov.
Read more about unemployment quarterly reports on the Employment Security Department website.
For Paid Leave and WA Cares quarterly reports
Read about how to file reports and pay premiums on the Paid Leave website.
Don’t overpay unemployment taxes! Avoid common mistakes
Two common mistakes could cause you to overpay your unemployment taxes:
- Reporting at the incorrect tax rate.
- Reporting the wages and hours of employees exempt under the law.
What you can do:
Update your tax software
- Make sure you correctly enter anyone in your company exempt from wage reporting.
- Be sure to program your correct 2025 tax rate. We send you an annual letter in December with your tax rate for the coming year.
- Reach out to your software’s technical support if you need help updating it.
Check with your third-party company, if you use one
If you use a third party to report taxes for you, make sure they have both:
- Your 2025 tax rate.
- A current list of people in your company exempt from wage reporting.
Try updated filing in the Employer Account Management System
You can switch between the old and new experiences until July 30. Enjoy improved clarity, enhanced features and a streamlined filing process with just two steps instead of up to 11.
You need to report Standard Occupational Classification codes or job titles on unemployment tax reports
All employers need to include either a job title or Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code for each employee on their quarterly tax report.
You cannot change an SOC code or job title once you file. If you need to change a SOC code or job title, make that change in your next quarterly filing.
Job titles and SOC codes are different
An SOC code is a six-digit number that describes someone’s work. A job title is a word or several words that describes a person’s role in a business.
Since SOC codes are numbers, they are easier to use. Job titles vary across employers. They are useful when a job is:
Avoid penalties
Washington state law requires that we assess a penalty if you knowingly fail to report the SOC code or job title for each employee on your quarterly report. Read the law on the Washington State Legislature website.
Free webinars for National Second Chance Month
Join us for two free webinars about hiring employees with criminal records. Give them a second chance!
Who should attend
- Employers and hiring managers.
- HR professionals.
- Business leaders.
- Community partners and advocates.
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"Creating a Supportive Workplace for Second Chance Employees"
Learn how to unlock the potential of all your employees, including those with criminal records.
You will:
- Learn how to establish mentorship programs and other strategies for supporting to employees with criminal records.
- Hear real-life examples and success stories from companies that have successfully
integrated second-chance employees into their teams.
Noon - 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 9
Read more details and find the Zoom link on WorkSourceWA.com.
"Redefining Your Workforce: Integrate Second Chance Employees Into Your Workplace"
Join us for an enlightening and transformative workshop to discover the benefits of second chance hiring.
- Understand the relevant laws and regulations to ensure compliance and mitigate risks.
- Learn about the Work Opportunity Tax Credit and Federal Bonding program. Both are available for employers hiring people impacted by the justice system.
Noon - 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 23
Read more details and find the Zoom link on WorkSourceWA.com.
WorkSource Everett opens its new location April 7
Visit the center’s new location at 728 134th St. SW, Suite 102, Everett, 98024.
Find contact information at WorkSourceOnline or call 425-258-6300.
About WorkSource
The statewide WorkSource system is a partnership of state, local and nonprofit agencies that provide employment and training services to businesses and job seekers.
Free services to businesses include:
- Hiring help and job fairs.
- Information about tax incentives for hiring certain workers.
- Programs to avoid a layoff or to connect laid-off employees to services.
- Tools to build worker productivity.
Learn more about WorkSource services for employers on the Employment Security Department website.
Find WorkSource locations statewide on WorkSourceWA.com.
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Find links to past issues on the Employment Security Department website.
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