Washington ESD unemployment tax rate 2024 - employer contributions?

Washington state unemployment tax rates vary by employer experience rating. For 2024, new employers typically start at around 2.7% of wages up to the wage base. Established employers can range from 0.17% to 6.0% depending on their claims history with Washington ESD.

don't forget about the social cost factor too - thats an additional charge on top of the experience rate

If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD for employer questions, I used claimyr.com recently to connect with an actual agent. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Really helped me get my employer account questions answered without sitting on hold forever.

You'll also need to register for a UBI account number with Washington ESD before you can start paying. Make sure you do this before your first quarter deadline or you might face penalties.

ugh the washington esd employer system is such a pain to navigate. took me forever to figure out quarterly reporting when i started my business

One important thing - Washington state also has paid family and medical leave (PFML) taxes that are separate from unemployment insurance. For 2024, the PFML rate is 0.8% total, with employers paying 73.06% of that premium.

Make sure you understand the difference between state unemployment tax (SUTA) and federal unemployment tax (FUTA). Washington doesn't have state income tax but the unemployment taxes can add up quick.

been running a business in wa for 15 years and the rates definitely fluctuate based on how many former employees file claims against your account

If you're just starting out with 3 employees, your quarterly payments won't be huge at first. The 2.7% new employer rate on $71K wage base means maximum $1,917 per employee per year, plus the social cost factor.

also check if any of your employees work in multiple states - that can complicate which state gets the unemployment tax

Just to follow up on the Claimyr thing - I know it sounds sketchy but it really does work for getting through to Washington ESD when you have urgent employer questions. Saved me hours of calling and redialing.

dont forget you might also need workers comp insurance which is separate from unemployment but also required

honestly just hire a payroll company if you can afford it. they handle all this tax stuff automatically and you dont have to worry about missing deadlines

One more tip - keep detailed records of all wages paid and unemployment taxes paid. Washington ESD can audit employer accounts and you'll need documentation going back several years.

the rate notices usually come out in december for the following year so keep an eye out for your 2025 rate notice toward the end of this year

Also remember that if you have seasonal employees or irregular hours, you still need to report all wages and pay unemployment tax on them. Can't just ignore temporary workers.

been through a few unemployment audits over the years - definitely keep good records and respond quickly if esd contacts you

If anyone needs to contact Washington ESD about employer account setup or tax rate questions, seriously consider using claimyr.com. The regular phone lines are impossible and this actually gets you through to someone who can help.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful info! Sounds like I need to get registered for a UBI number ASAP and start planning for quarterly payments. This thread has been super helpful.

one last thing - if you ever need to protest your unemployment tax rate or dispute a claim against your account, you have appeal rights. dont just accept whatever esd says