Do I have to claim Washington ESD unemployment benefits on my taxes?

I haven't gotten any 1099-G form yet. When are they supposed to send those out?

They're usually mailed by January 31st. You can also access it online through your SecureAccess Washington account if you haven't received it yet.

Not necessarily. It depends on your total income for the year and your tax bracket. If unemployment was your only income, you might not owe much or anything at all.

i worked part time too so probably gonna get hit with a bill

I remember that question now but I needed every dollar I could get at the time. Wish someone had explained how much I might owe later.

Same mistake I made. Had to set up a payment plan with the IRS because I couldn't pay the full amount at once.

Never heard of that before. Does it actually work or is it just another scam?

It's legit - they basically handle the calling and waiting for you. Worth it when you're dealing with Washington ESD's phone system during busy times.

How do I figure out if there were any overpayments? My account history is confusing.

Check your payment history in your online account. Any amounts that show as 'recovered' or 'offset' shouldn't be included in your taxable income.

wait so no state taxes at all on unemployment? that's actually kind of a relief

Correct - Washington has no state income tax, so unemployment benefits are only taxable at the federal level.

There are safe harbor rules that might protect you from penalties, especially if this was your first year receiving unemployment. Check with a tax professional if you're concerned.

Thanks, I'll look into that. This whole tax situation is more complicated than I expected.

Yeah, I remember hearing about that but my benefits were all in 2024 so doesn't help me.

Right, that was just a one-time COVID relief provision. Worth mentioning in case anyone is filing amended returns for older years.

Because unemployment benefits replace lost wages at a lower rate, many people prefer to get the full amount and handle taxes later. It gives more flexibility for those who really need every dollar.

I guess that makes sense, but they should really emphasize the tax consequences more clearly.

Good to know! I'll check my online account today.

Yeah I got mine online last week. Much faster than waiting for mail.

Generally, reimbursements for job training aren't taxable income, but you should check the documentation you received. If they issued a 1099, then it's probably taxable.

Thanks, I'll double-check my paperwork. Don't want any surprises.

That's exactly why I used Claimyr when I had 1099-G issues. Saved me from that endless calling nightmare.

I'll have to remember that for next time. The phone situation with Washington ESD is ridiculous.

That's good to know. I was worried about not being able to pay everything at once.

Yeah, they're usually pretty reasonable about payment plans, especially for first-time filers with unemployment situations.

I understand the confusion, but unemployment benefits have been taxable income since the program began. It's considered a replacement for wages, which are also taxed.

ugh that sucks but thanks for explaining

What kind of adjustments? Now I'm worried there might be discrepancies I don't know about.

Things like delayed payments, retroactive adjustments, or corrections to previous weeks. The 1099-G should have the official total.

Try clearing your browser cache and using a different browser. The Washington ESD site can be finicky, especially during tax season when everyone's trying to access documents.

I'll try that, thanks. This whole process is stressful enough without technical problems.

Good point. I moved from Oregon to Washington mid-year and received benefits from both states. Almost forgot about the Oregon 1099-G.

Yeah, it's easy to overlook when you're dealing with multiple state systems. Each one has their own reporting requirements.

I hadn't thought about that. I'll definitely look into what credits I might qualify for.

Definitely worth checking. Sometimes people in unemployment situations end up with refunds despite owing taxes on the benefits.

How much did that cost? Is it worth it for just a simple question?

For me it was worth every penny compared to the hours I wasted trying to call on my own. Check out their demo at claimyr.com to see if it makes sense for your situation.

What kind of job search expenses can you deduct?

Actually, I need to correct myself - job search expenses aren't deductible anymore under current tax law. That changed a few years ago.