Unemployment taxes are one of the few business taxes you can control. Our goal is to reduce employer tax costs by limiting unemployment tax bills to the fullest extent possible under all applicable tax laws.

Our Employer Tax Services fall into six categories:

• Unemployment Tax Services
• Unemployment Tax Analysis
• Employment Tax Research and Recovery
• Tax Registrations
• Employment Tax Consulting

Our expert services for unemployment tax control save companies millions of dollars each year. These premier tax solutions utilize the experience of over 100 employment tax experts who ensure that organizations receive optimal results. This includes verifying state tax rates and reviewing quarterly contribution reports in all states. We also analyze the potential tax savings from voluntary contributions from more than 170,000 tax accounts that represent over $134 billion in annual taxable payroll.

Our tax services for unemployment cost management clients include:

Verification of State Unemployment Tax Rates
We verify our client's annual tax rate notices for all states in which they operate. The client's taxable wages, taxes paid, and benefit charges from the appropriate time period are input and compared to the data maintained by the state. Various factors including the rate table used to calculate the rate, are also confirmed. When we uncover errors and discrepancies, we protest the inaccurate charges.

Computation of Voluntary Contributions
We save tax dollars through the calculation of voluntary contributions in the states that currently permit this option. We also determine the profitability of making voluntary contributions and advise the clients as to our findings.

Auditing of Quarterly Contribution Reports
We audit our client's quarterly wage and contribution reports and verify the calculations including the gross, exempt, and taxable wage figures. When errors are detected, the client is informed in writing. If an overpayment was made, we prepare and file for a refund or credit on the client's behalf.

Our tax analysis recommendations take advantage of the cost-savings implications embodied in each state’s unemployment laws. Over the past three years we have supplied analysis for over 17,000 merger, acquisition and reorganization transactions.

All state unemployment tax laws require predecessor and successor entities involved in these transactions to register the event with the individual state unemployment agency affected by the change. In turn, these agencies are required to determine the unemployment tax consequences to the predecessor and successor employer. Failure to file the related registrations can result in significant costs to either party and is the single largest contributing factor to unanticipated increases in unemployment tax costs that we encounter.

We can perform the following services:

• Calculate potential unemployment cost on corporate changes.
• Analyze transfer rulings to minimize cost exposure.
• File all unemployment tax paperwork to ensure state compliance.
• Verify all unemployment tax rates and protest incorrect determinations.
• Monitor all corporate changes to ensure timely completion by the state unemployment agencies.
• Advise on wage base contributions for SUI, FUTA, and FICA.
• Project unemployment tax rates for budgeting purposes.
• Confirm reserve balance transfers in rate calculations.
• Calculate voluntary contributions in anticipation of a consolidation.
• Review all options involving total and partial transfers of tax experience.

Upon completion of our analysis we can assist you in completing the necessary paperwork. Our recommendations have resulted in significant reductions in what would have otherwise been increased tax liability to the clients we serve.

By performing an audit of your existing and past unemployment accounts, we can determine that all taxes were paid properly. We typically find that companies involved in prior reorganizations, acquisitions, divestitures, etc. have not properly utilized the tax laws and special tax credits or provisions to their full advantage. Over the past two years we have recovered over $22 million on behalf of clients.

Many companies may not be familiar with the federal and state laws regarding the employee wages that are subject to taxation from both federal and state unemployment programs. Our employment tax research and recovery service reviews the manner in which your company has historically reported employees for SUI, FUTA, FICA purposes, obtains any refunds due, and makes recommendations on future saving opportunities.

The following areas of employment taxation are reviewed with respect to past mergers, acquisitions, reorganization, and divestitures:

• Review wage base continuations on SUI, FUTA, and FICA on past transactions.
• Audit predecessor unemployment tax history.
• Identify past unemployment rate assignments.
• Determine reserve balance transfers that are outstanding.
• File any outstanding unemployment tax paperwork on past acquisitions, mergers, or reorganizations.
• Confirm combined unemployment tax rate calculations.
• Apply for refunds and or credits.

Once the analysis is completed, we will prepare a written summary of our findings and recommendations, submit the necessary paperwork for any refunds due, and follow-up with state and federal agencies until all issues are resolved.

Our tax experts are prepared to supplement your in-house tax analysts with multiple services that address filing for unemployment and withholding accounts, sales and use taxes, and account closures and name changes. We complete more than 25,000 tax registrations each year on behalf of our clients.

We provide a complete and comprehensive tax registrations service beneficial when expanding into new state and local jurisdictions due to reorganization, acquisition, or internal growth. Registering for the appropriate taxes will reduce exposure and ensure full tax compliance. Specific to unemployment, we will complete the appropriate registration forms, transfer forms (where applicable), and also file any termination or account closure forms necessary.

In addition to unemployment registration forms, the following tax applications can also be completed:

• Federal Employer Identification Number (Form SS-4)
• State and Local Sales and Use Tax
• State and Local Payroll Withholding
• Unemployment Tax
• Occupational Privilege
• Gross Receipts
• Business License
• Account Closures and Withdrawals
• Name Change Notifications

Our tax consultants seek unemployment savings through analyses of joint/common rating studies, impact studies, and tax research. We project your tax rates so that you can program your HRMS/payroll system effectively. We can fulfill your need for research and recommend strategies for common pay agent or local withholding liabilities. Our annual review of the savings potential in joint/common accounts encompasses more than 14,700 tax accounts that represent over $39 billion in taxable payroll.

We are committed to attracting and developing the most talented and experienced personnel in the tax arena. Due to an ever-expanding client base with many different needs, we have employed experienced tax personnel who can supplement your internal tax and payroll staff.

Our employment tax consulting services include:

Federal and State Unemployment Tax Consulting
It is important to be aware of unemployment tax variances from year to year and budget accordingly. We can provide tax rate forecasts so you can accurately budget for unemployment expenses:

• Forecast the upcoming year's unemployment tax rates for all active unemployment accounts.
• Project annual and quarterly costs.
• Analyze joint/common rate applications in the states that allow this analysis.
• Perform impact studies in the event of a layoff, corporate downsizing, or divestiture.
• Provide an estimated annual FUTA cost report.
• Supply an unemployment tax comparison.
• Provide a list of wage bases and additional surcharges.
• Update you when laws change and/or when actual data replaces our estimates.

Federal, State and Local Withholding Tax Consulting
To supplement our clients' internal tax and payroll department, we provide expert services focusing on minimizing your employment tax dollars:

• Review of common pay agent options
• Analysis of local tax liabilities
• Research in employment and withholding tax
• Online consulting to supplement your internal expertise