How to Calculate FUTA and SUTA taxes
Federal Unemployment Rate Change 2012 and 2013 (read update below)
FUTA and SUTA taxes are forms of payroll tax that are computed from the wages of all W-2 employees. FUTA is an acronym for the Federal Unemployment Tax Act, and SUTA stands for State Unemployment Tax Authority. Calculating these taxes based on employee payrolls is very simple.
Things you'll need to read:
How to Calculate
Employee
Payroll Checks »
Instructions and
a list of things you'll need.
- Determine whether you must pay FUTA tax for your employees. Consult IRS Publication 15, page 29, to see if you meet the criteria for any of the three tests prescribed therein. These tests pertain to the amount of wages paid per calendar quarter, household employees and farm workers. If you meet the criteria for any one of these tests, you must pay FUTA taxes for your employees. W-4 Forms.
- For SUTA taxes, find your state unemployment office by looking in the appendix to IRS Publication 926. As an employer, you are required to file state unemployment taxes on a quarterly basis.
-
Calculate FUTA tax by multiplying the first $7,000 an employee earns by 6.0 percent. x $7,000 = $420. This is the amount of FUTA tax that an employer must pay for the employee making at least $7,000 must pay each year.
By contributing SUTA taxes for your employees for their state unemployment contributions. As an employer you can take a credit of up to 5.4 percent of their taxable wages against their FUTA contribution. Employers who make the maximum permissible SUTA contributions are left with an effective FUTA tax rate of 0.6 percent, or $42 per year. However, your state has to be in good standing with the federal government and the employee must pay the SUTA tax in a timely manner to get the credit.
Calculating FUTA and SUTA tax
Federal Unemployment Rate (FUTA) increases for 2012 and 2013
Your State SUTA tax rate varies with each state.
You calculate the SUTA tax by finding the wage base in your state. New employees are assigned an initial lower rate of withholding, the exact rate varies from state to state, for the first year or two. Then the withholding is reduced if the employee has not drawn unemployment benefits or increased if benefits have been collected. In most cases, the SUTA tax rate is ultimately determined by the number of unemployment claims the state has received from taxpayers who formerly worked for you. The rate usually starts at the highest level and decreases if few of your ex-employees file for benefits. However, when state UI funds are depleted, as occurred in many states in recent years, states draw from a designated Federal loan account. If such loans are not repaid within two consecutive years, part of the 5.4% FUTA tax credit is reduced, thereby increasing the effective FUTA tax rate in those states.
When this credit reduction applies, the FUTA tax typically increases by 0.3%, or $21 per worker, payable in January of the following calendar year with IRS Form 940. This credit is further reduced annually by 0.3% until loans are repaid. The United StatesDepartment of Labor has identified the states that are subject to FUTA credit reduction for 2012.
States with 2012 Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) Credit Reductions |
||||||||
Employers in the following states will be subject to a reduction in FUTA credit on their IRS Form 940 for 2012: |
||||||||
| Credit | Total FUTA Rate | FUTA tax | Percentage | |||||
| State | Reduction | per Employee | Increase | |||||
| Arizona | 0.3% | 0.90% | $63 | 50% | ||||
| Arkansas | 0.6% | 1.20% | $84 | 100% | ||||
| California | 0.6% | 1.20% | $84 | 100% | ||||
| Connecticut | 0.6% | 1.20% | $84 | 100% | ||||
| Delaware | 0.3% | 0.90% | $63 | 50% | ||||
| Florida | 0.6% | 1.20% | $84 | 100% | ||||
| Georgia | 0.6% | 1.20% | $84 | 100% | ||||
| Indiana | 0.9% | 1.50% | $105 | 150% | ||||
| Kentucky | 0.6% | 1.20% | $84 | 100% | ||||
| Missouri | 0.6% | 1.20% | $84 | 100% | ||||
| Nevada | 0.6% | 1.20% | $84 | 100% | ||||
| New Jersey | 0.6% | 1.20% | $84 | 100% | ||||
| New York | 0.6% | 1.20% | $84 | 100% | ||||
| North Carolina | 0.6% | 1.20% | $84 | 100% | ||||
| Ohio | 0.6% | 1.20% | $84 | 100% | ||||
| Rhode Island | 0.6% | 1.20% | $84 | 100% | ||||
| Vermont | 0.3% | 0.90% | $63 | 50% | ||||
| Virgin Islands | 1.5% | 2.10% | $147 | 250% | ||||
| Wisconsin | 0.6% | 1.20% | $84 | 100% | ||||
Source U.S. Department of Labor
Example: If employee worked in Florida , which is a credit reduction state for the second consecutive year, the total FUTA tax would be $84
($7,000 x (0.6% + 0.3% + 0.3%)).
What will happen in 2013
Employers in the credit reduction states identified above should plan on increased FUTA taxes in 2013 (payable in January 2014). Unless a state pays off the loan or changes in tax laws, the FUTA credit reduction will automatically increase by another 0.3% in 2013; however, each state's status will not be determined until at least
November 10, 2013.
Try our Payroll Calculators - It's Free!
Please note: Our explanation that are provided on our web site for "How to Calculate Futa and Suta taxes" are only meant to provide general guidance and estimates about the payroll process. They should not be relied upon to calculate exact taxes, payroll or other financial data. You should consult with a professional advisor or accountant regarding your specific payroll concerns.
To speak with an Online Payroll expert call 866-729-4460 • 941-752-3900 or contact us by email.
Learn more about managing your business | Independent Contractor | Employee Handbook Information | Acronyms for Payroll | Workers Compensation
