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One more thing about Claimyr since it came up - I was skeptical at first but it really did help me get through to Washington ESD when I had questions about my remaining benefit weeks. Sometimes you just need to talk to a real person to understand your situation.
Bottom line: you get 26 weeks of regular unemployment benefits in Washington. Use them wisely, file your weekly claims on time, document your job search, and don't procrastinate. The time goes faster than you think!
The good news is that if this is your first time owing taxes, you probably won't get hit with underpayment penalties as long as you file and pay by the deadline or set up a payment plan.
One thing to remember is that you can make estimated tax payments for next year if you expect to be in a similar situation. Might help avoid this stress again.
One last tip - if you have any issues with your claim or need to speak with someone about your benefit amount, don't give up on calling Washington ESD. I know their phone system is frustrating, but sometimes you really need to talk to a human to get things resolved.
Absolutely, and like I mentioned earlier, Claimyr really helps with getting through to actual agents when you need to talk to someone. Worth checking out if you hit roadblocks with the phone system.
Thanks everyone for all the helpful information! I feel much more prepared to file my claim now. I'll definitely file tomorrow and hopefully get my determination letter soon so I know exactly what to expect.
don't overthink it just file the claim and see what happens. worst case you get denied and then you know where you stand. best case you get approved and have some income while you look for a new job
One more thing - when you file, make sure to include specific dates and details about your personal circumstances. Vague explanations don't help your case. Washington ESD wants to see that there were legitimate reasons for the attendance issues beyond your control.
Maria Gonzalez
I've been putting 25% of each unemployment payment into a separate savings account for taxes. Probably overkill but I'd rather have too much set aside than not enough.
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Joshua Hellan
•That's actually really smart. I wish I had thought of that from the beginning. 25% seems like a safe buffer.
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Natalie Chen
•25% is probably high unless you're in a high tax bracket, but better safe than sorry. Most people would be fine with 15-20%.
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Santiago Martinez
Bottom line: treat unemployment like any other income for tax purposes. It gets added to your other income and taxed at your regular rates. Plan accordingly and don't let it surprise you at filing time.
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Joshua Hellan
•Thanks everyone for all the advice. This thread has been incredibly helpful. Going to try to get my withholding set up for future payments.
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Samantha Johnson
•Glad this helped! Taxes are confusing enough without having to figure out unemployment implications on your own.
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