Do PA UC benefits require a W-2 form for tax reporting?
I've been receiving PA unemployment since October 2024, and I'm trying to get organized for next year's taxes. Will the PA unemployment office send me an actual W-2 form, or is it something else? This is my first time on unemployment and I want to make sure I don't mess up my taxes. Do I need to request this form somewhere on the portal or will they automatically mail it? Thanks for any help!
18 comments
Join the conversation
Chloe Taylor
You don't get a W-2 for unemployment benefits. You'll receive a Form 1099-G instead, which shows the total unemployment compensation paid to you and any tax withheld. Pennsylvania UC should mail it to you by January 31st, 2025, but you can also access it electronically through your UC account. Be sure your mailing address is updated in the system!
0 coins
Omar Zaki
•Thank you! That's exactly what I needed to know. Will the 1099-G be available to download from my dashboard, or is there a specific place I need to look for it?
0 coins
Diego Flores
its a 1099 not a w2... they should mail it but sometimes they dont lol
0 coins
Anastasia Ivanova
•yep and if you dont get it in the mail your screwed because their website is always down when you need it most lol. happened to me last yr spent 3 hrs trying to download mine
0 coins
Sean Murphy
As others mentioned, you'll receive a 1099-G form rather than a W-2. The PA Department of Labor & Industry will send it by January 31st. However, I recommend checking your account in early February because sometimes they're delayed in the mail. You can access it by logging into your UC portal, going to "My Benefits Plan," and selecting "View My 1099-G Tax Forms." Remember that unemployment compensation is taxable income for both federal and state taxes.
0 coins
Omar Zaki
•This is super helpful, thank you! I didn't realize unemployment would be taxed by both federal AND state. I don't think I selected to have taxes withheld when I set up my claim. Is it too late to set that up now?
0 coins
StarStrider
Trying to reach the UC office to update your address or ask tax questions is IMPOSSIBLE right now. I spent 4 days calling non-stop and just got busy signals. Finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through and sort out my 1099-G issue from last year. They have a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2. Totally worth it for me because I needed my tax forms ASAP and couldn't wait forever on hold.
0 coins
Zara Malik
•wait is that service legit? seems sketchy to pay somebody just to make a phone call for you...
0 coins
StarStrider
•It's definitely legit. They don't make the call for you - they get you in the phone queue and then call you when they have an agent on the line. Saved me hours of redialing busy signals.
0 coins
Luca Marino
I HAD THIS EXACT PROBLEM LAST YEAR!!! PA UC never mailed my 1099 and I couldn't log in to download it because my account was locked. I had to file an extension on my taxes and it was a TOTAL NIGHTMARE. Make sure you check your online account in January and download a copy BEFORE you need it!!!!
0 coins
Omar Zaki
•Oh no, that sounds stressful! I'll definitely download a copy as soon as it's available. Thank you for the warning!
0 coins
Sean Murphy
To answer your question about tax withholding: It's not too late to request tax withholding. Log into your UC portal, go to "My Benefits Plan," select "Update My Profile," and find the tax withholding section. You can choose to have 10% withheld for federal taxes. For state taxes, you'll need to plan to pay those quarterly or when you file, as PA doesn't withhold state tax from UC benefits.
0 coins
Omar Zaki
•I just updated my withholding settings! Seems better to have the 10% taken out now than worry about it at tax time. Thanks again for the detailed help.
0 coins
Zara Malik
kinda off topic but anybody know if the money network card they send your benefits on reports to the irs too? or is it just the official 1099 form that matters? my cousin said something about cash app reporting to irs now so just wondering
0 coins
Chloe Taylor
•The Money Network card is just the payment method for your benefits. All your unemployment income is reported on the 1099-G regardless of how you received it. The card itself doesn't generate any additional tax forms. Hope that helps!
0 coins
Diego Flores
glad u asked this i was wondering the same thing!!
0 coins
Carmen Ruiz
Just want to add that if you're planning to file taxes early, don't forget that employers have until January 31st to send W-2s and unemployment offices have the same deadline for 1099-G forms. I learned this the hard way when I tried to file in mid-January last year and had to wait for my unemployment form. Also, if you moved during 2024 while on UC, double-check that your address is current in the system - I've heard of people not getting their forms because of outdated addresses.
0 coins
Sara Unger
•Great point about the address updates! I actually moved in November so I should definitely check that my new address is in the system. Do you know if there's a specific section in the UC portal for address changes, or is it just under the general profile settings?
0 coins