Can I change my PA UC tax withholding option after selecting it? Need help ASAP

Yes, you can absolutely change your tax withholding preference! Log into your PA UC account, go to 'My Benefits Plan' and look for 'Update Personal Information' - there should be a section for tax withholding where you can change your selection. The change will take effect for future payments, not retroactively. It's a simple process that takes about 2 minutes.

just did this myself last month!! no big deal

Be careful about not withholding taxes. I did that last year and got hit with a huge tax bill when I filed. Just something to keep in mind - UC benefits ARE taxable income!

I had a similar issue back in january trying to REMOVE tax withholding... spent 2 weeks trying to find it on the website which is totally useless!!! ended up having to call the UC office but u know how that goes... busy signals for DAYS!!!!! system is a total joke

To add some clarification here, federal taxes are withheld at 10% and PA state taxes at 3.07% when you select that option. If you're in a financial pinch, changing this can help in the short term, but remember you'll need to account for these taxes when filing your returns. The change typically takes effect on your next bi-weekly payment, not retroactively. Also, if you have any issues finding the option online, you can submit the "Federal Income Tax Withholding Request Form" (UC-1589) directly to the department as an alternative.

Yes, you can find the UC-1589 form by going to www.uc.pa.gov and selecting "Forms," then scrolling to the tax withholding section. Alternatively, you can usually change your withholding preference directly in your online account under your profile settings without needing the form.

When I was on UC last year I think I changed this like three times honestly. First I did withholding, then I stopped it cuz I needed more money, then turned it back on when I got some side gig work. Its a simple toggle in your account settings BUT sometimes the website is down for maintenance which drives me INSANE. Why is the UC system so frustrating?????

Just wanted to share my experience - I changed my withholding option about 3 weeks ago and it was pretty straightforward once I found the right section. Like others mentioned, look for "My Benefits Plan" then "Update Personal Information." The change showed up on my next payment cycle. One tip: if you're switching to no withholding, consider setting up an automatic transfer to a separate savings account for taxes so you don't get caught off guard at tax time. Even putting away $20-30 per payment can help when April comes around!

I went through the exact same thing when I first filed! The stress of needing every dollar is real. Just to add to what others have said - when you make the change online, you should get a confirmation message right away, and it will show the updated withholding preference in your account summary. The change took effect on my very next bi-weekly payment, so you won't have to wait long. Also, don't beat yourself up about the initial decision - a lot of us make choices without fully thinking through the immediate impact when we're dealing with job loss stress. You've got this!

I'm dealing with the same situation right now - just filed last week and chose withholding without thinking it through. Reading through everyone's responses has been so helpful! I'm definitely going to try the online option first through "My Benefits Plan" before attempting to call. It's reassuring to know that the change takes effect quickly and that so many people have successfully done this. The automatic savings transfer idea is brilliant too - I'll set that up once I get back on my feet. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!

I was in the exact same boat a few months ago - selected withholding in a panic when filing and then realized I desperately needed every dollar. The good news is that changing it online really is as simple as everyone described! I found the option under "My Benefits Plan" → "Update Personal Information" and it was just a dropdown menu. The change showed up on my account immediately and took effect with my next payment. One thing I'd add is to screenshot the confirmation page when you make the change, just for your records. Also, if the website seems slow or unresponsive (which happens more often than it should), try logging in early morning or late evening when there's less traffic. You've got this - the financial stress is temporary but getting that extra money each payment cycle will definitely help while you're job hunting!