Are NY unemployment payments still being taxed? Thought that stopped
Just checked my latest unemployment payment and noticed they're still taking taxes out. I thought the government stopped taxing unemployment benefits? Back in February when I filed my claim, I elected to have taxes withheld thinking it was required. But then I heard from a friend that unemployment isn't being taxed anymore. So why am I still seeing about $47 taken out of each weekly payment? Has anyone else noticed this? Is this a mistake or am I misunderstanding something about the tax situation for unemployment in New York?
36 comments
Leslie Parker
They ARE still taxing unemployment. The no-tax thing was only for 2020/2021 during the height of COVID. Now we're back to normal - unemployment is 100% taxable income at both federal and state levels. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news...
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Freya Ross
Ughhh that sucks! So my friend was completely wrong. I wonder if I can change my withholding preference now or am I stuck with it?
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Sergio Neal
You can change your tax withholding anytime. Just log into your account and update your preferences. But remember if you stop withholding now you'll still owe the taxes later š¬
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Savanna Franklin
Yeah the tax break was only temporary. Lots of people still confused about this. I'm actually setting aside extra $ cuz the withholding isn't always enough come tax time.
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Juan Moreno
After weeks of trying to get through to someone at ny unemployment about this exact issue, I finally found a service that connected me to an agent in minutes. Used claimyr.com and they got a real person on the line for me who confirmed that yes, unemployment benefits are fully taxable now. The agent walked me through how to adjust my withholding options. It was the best money I've ever spent to finally get answers instead of listening to busy signals for days! Check out their demo: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE
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Amy Fleming
This actually works? I've been trying to reach someone for 3 weeks about my tax question...
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Juan Moreno
Yep! I was super skeptical too but I was desperate after trying to call for days. They basically wait on hold for you then call you when they get a human. Took about 50 mins but I was just chilling at home instead of listening to that awful hold music.
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Alice Pierce
sounds like some kinda scam tbh... unemployment phone systems are literally designed to be impossible to get through
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Juan Moreno
Not a scam at all! I think they use some kind of auto-dialer technology. The way it works is they keep calling and then when someone picks up, they immediately connect you. Saved me hours of frustration.
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Esteban Tate
how long did it take to actually get someone? cuz i'm about to lose my mind with these constant busy signals
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Juan Moreno
Took about 45 minutes for me. But the difference is I wasn't stuck actively waiting on the phone. They just called me when they got through to someone. Way better than the 200+ calls I was making myself with no luck.
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Ivanna St. Pierre
I just finished doing my taxes and had to pay a bunch because of unemployment benefits. Nothing has changed - they're 100% taxable. If you don't have them withhold now, you'll just owe it all when you file next year. I learned that lesson the hard way š
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Elin Robinson
There's sooooo much misinformation going around about this! During COVID (specifically 2020) the first $10,200 of unemployment was exempt from federal taxes under the American Rescue Plan. But that provision expired. Now ALL unemployment compensation is fully taxable again at both federal and state levels. You can choose whether to have taxes withheld now (usually 10% federal + state) OR pay them all when you file. But either way, you'll owe taxes on every penny of unemployment. If you need to change your withholding preferences and can't figure it out online, good luck getting through on the phone. I personally used claimyr.com after two weeks of calling nonstop and failing to reach anyone. They connected me to a rep who sorted everything out in minutes. Bottom line: anyone telling you unemployment isn't taxed anymore is living in 2020 š
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Freya Ross
Thank you for the detailed explanation! This makes so much more sense now. My friend probably just didn't realize the COVID exception had expired.
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Atticus Domingo
This is why I love reddit. Clear answers instead of the garbage info from NYSDOL's website š
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Beth Ford
Wait so if I pick the option to NOT withhold taxes, do I just pay it all at once when I file next year?
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Elin Robinson
Exactly. If you don't withhold now, you'll pay it all when you file. Just be prepared for potentially owing money instead of getting a refund. Some people prefer this because they need the maximum weekly benefit now, others prefer the withholding so there are no surprises at tax time.
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Morita Montoya
I know for sure the tax thing ended. My cousin works for NY unemployment and said it was just during covid. Your getting taxed now and will continue to be taxed, its considered income by the IRS.
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Kingston Bellamy
Unemployment benefits have always been taxable income except for that one year during COVID (2020) when they made a special exception. Your friend is confused. If you don't have taxes withheld now, you'll just owe a big chunk when you file next year, potentially with underpayment penalties.
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Freya Ross
Ugh that sucks... but at least now I know! Thanks!
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Joy Olmedo
Just to be super clear: Yes, unemployment benefits are 100% taxable. The only time they weren't was a special exemption for the first $10,200 in 2020 during COVID. That exemption expired and was not renewed. I actually just had this same confusion and spent DAYS trying to reach someone at unemployment to confirm. Impossible to get through on their phone lines. I finally used claimyr.com which got me a callback with an actual human who confirmed everything and helped me update my preferences. Talking to an agent got my questions answered so fast after weeks of frustration.
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Isaiah Cross
Is this claimyr thing worth it? Been trying to reach someone for weeks about back payments.
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Joy Olmedo
1000% worth it for me. I'd literally called over 200 times across multiple weeks with no success. The claimyr service had me talking to an agent in under an hour. My issue was resolved that same day after weeks of getting nowhere.
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Kiara Greene
I'm tax profesional and can confirm - YES unemployment benefits are fully taxable income at both federal and state levels. The only exception was for 2020 returns (filed in 2021) where the American Rescue Plan excluded the first $10,200 for eligible taxpayers. This was a one-time COVID relief measure. For 2022, 2023 and beyond, every dollar of unemployment is taxable again. If you choose withholding, they typically take 10% for federal + whatever your state rate is. If you don't withhold now, you'll pay when you file. Be careful taking tax advice from friends and social media!
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Evelyn Kelly
You getting played by your friend lol... unemployment been taxable since forever except that one covid year. Pick up the phone and call if you don't believe me š
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Paloma Clark
Good luck with "pick up the phone and call" lmaoooo šš might as well tell them to climb Mount Everest in flip flops
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Heather Tyson
fr tho š I called 47 times yesterday and couldn't get through
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Raul Neal
I used claimyr.com after seeing it recommended here. Actually got to talk to someone after weeks of trying on my own. It was the only way I could talk to a live agent.
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Jenna Sloan
i was so confused about this too!!! the covid rules messed everything up. but yea unemployment is deff taxed now. i stopped my withholding cuz i needed more $ now but im saving a bit each week for when tax time comes around
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Christian Burns
Anyone telling you unemployment isn't taxed is WRONG. Full stop. This misinformation has been circulating ever since that one-time exemption during COVID. The tax break ended long ago. I'm currently on unemployment and yes, they take taxes every week. You can opt out of withholding but you'll still owe the taxes later.
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Sasha Reese
It's still taxable income bro. Always has been except for that one temporary COVID exception in 2020. Your friend is wrong or confused. You're actually making the smart choice by having them withhold now instead of owing a bunch next April.
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Muhammad Hobbs
Yall need to stop getting tax advice from TikTok and Instagram I swear š¤¦āāļø Unemployment been taxable income since forever except that ONE time during the pandemic. The tax man ALWAYS gets his cut š¤
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Noland Curtis
Facts šÆ People hear one thing from their cousin's friend's roommate and think it's official tax policy lmaooo
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Diez Ellis
Right?? And then they mad at the unemployment office when they find out the truth š
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Vanessa Figueroa
There's a lot of confusion on this topic because the rules changed during COVID and then changed back. Let me break it down: ā¢ Pre-COVID: Unemployment benefits were 100% taxable ā¢ 2020 only: The first $10,200 was tax-free federally (American Rescue Plan) ā¢ 2021 and beyond: Back to being 100% taxable So your friend was partly right - there WAS a time when some unemployment wasn't taxed, but that ended. If you're receiving benefits now, they are definitely taxable. You have two options: 1. Continue withholding taxes now (what you're currently doing) 2. Stop withholding but set aside money yourself for tax time Personally, I recommend keeping the withholding to avoid a nasty surprise when filing. If you need to change your withholding settings and can't figure it out online, good luck reaching someone by phone! After weeks of trying, I finally used claimyr.com to get through to a live agent. It was a game changer - finally got all my questions answered in one call instead of endless busy signals.
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Freya Ross
This is super helpful - thanks for clearing everything up. Sounds like I'll keep the withholding to avoid tax drama later!
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