October 7, 2013
In an effort to reduce the burden of unemployment insurance on local businesses, South Dakota is continuing to work on proposed legislation that could reduce UI tax rates, according to The Rapid City Journal. In addition to reducing rates, the proposal also suggests holding the wage base for UI at $14,000, meaning businesses would continue to pay UI on the first $14,000 earned for each employee. The proposed changes would take place beginning in 2015.
Proposal would save businesses millions
The executive director for the South Dakota Retailers Association, Shawn Lyons, said in an interview with The Rapid City Journal that the state legislature appears willing to hold the wage base until the Obama Administration requires moving it up to the $15,000-level. Combined with reducing the reserve ratios, the proposal could save businesses as much as $11 million by the end of 2015.
The news is good for South Dakota retailers and a relief given the UI saga that is playing out in other states, such a California. States that borrowed large amounts of federal money to pay UI are now forced to raise UI rates on employers to pay down debts that have been outstanding for two years or longer. According to Investors Business Daily; California, Ohio, New York, North Carolina and Indiana all have over $1 billion in liabilities, with California hovering around $9 billion. The states all suffer from higher than average unemployment rates as well, which required them to seek large amounts of federal money. Rates continue to go up for employers in the state UI system until the loans are repaid, which could take years for some states.
Nonprofits have other reduction options
While many private entities find themselves at the mercy of increasing UI rates, nonprofit and local governmental organizations can exercise a cost saving option. Tax code allows such organizations to become reimbursing employers and pay back to the state only what is actually paid out to employees.
Groups such as First Nonprofit Companies help nonprofits join a group of over 1,000 other eligible organizations in opting out of the state UI system. Just like the UI rates for private employers, the rules regarding self-reimbursement vary from state to state so working with a company such as First Nonprofit can help nonprofits and governmental entities realize maximum savings.
For information on how your organization can cost-effectively meet its unemployment insurance needs, contact First Nonprofit Companies at FNCUI@firstnonprofit.com or visit www.firstnonprofitcompanies.com.
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Visually Impaired Preschool Services has been a client of First Non-Profit since it was first offered as a benefit of VisionServe Alliance. We completed a thorough evaluation of cash savings to our agency before taking advantage of this wonderful benefit and it has been a very wise decision. Our experience with the processes from accounting to claims have been professional, expeditious and easy.
The Ensight Skills Center has enjoyed working with First Nonprofit for several years. We are enrolled in their Unemployment Savings Program and although we have not required a lot of intervention, there have been a few times. I know others have dealt with the same problem of unemployment fraud over the last year and in our case, a call to First Nonprofit (they actually answer their phones) cleared up the issue. They also sent us a letter to send to all our employees telling them what they needed to do to prevent this in the future and protect themselves. What a relief! Over the years if I have questions or concerns, they are happy to listen, advise and help if they can. Another BIG advantage of using First Nonprofit is that all the money that is paid into the Unemployment Savings Program lives on my balance sheet as an asset. The money continues to be Ensight’s not the governments. First Nonprofit has certainly given me peace of mind.
In addition to their money-saving purpose on behalf of nonprofit organizations like AHS, First Nonprofit’s Nonprofit Unemployment Fund streamlines the information we need to efficiently manage unemployment claims. Our relationship with NU Fund gave us access to such things as advice on planning for what’s ahead and how to analyze cost scenarios when unexpected events occurred. Both experiences were very helpful.
We have had a great experience with FNP. During Covid, when there was the chance that reimbursable nonprofits would have to pay 50% of the unemployment costs, FNP went to bat for us. We would receive weekly information on the Unemployment claim and how they were working to reduce the costs to reimbursable nonprofits. They have a great service also working with [our claims administrator] to make sure all the paperwork is completed correctly for any unemployment claim.
PORT Health Services has had a great experience with the Unemployment Savings Program offered through First Nonprofit. Throughout the years we have been involved in the program, we have increased our reserve account significantly through this program and find the reporting we receive both timely and useful. We look forward to our continued involvement with this program and our connection with First Nonprofit for many years to come.
Job One was spending a lot of money on unemployment. Our insurance broker, Mark Simcosky, recommended that we switch over to First Nonprofit. We did just that! This switch has been a huge savings for us! This switch saved us over $10,000 in the first year. Their customer service is Superior! Any time we have a question, we get a response very quickly. Any time we send them a report and they have a question; they call rather than just assuming. They were very responsive during COVID, even when they were in crisis mode their selves. They also were always there when we needed during COVID and very helpful! We would 1,000% recommend First Nonprofit to anybody that could benefit from it!
My experience with FNP has always been positive. Every time I have had to contact them, I’m always put in contact with a friendly and knowledgeable person. If something is missing from our account, they reach out to us to request it. It’s nice to work with a company that makes sure our account is current. I would recommend them to any nonprofit looking to reduce their unemployment insurance costs.
We’ve saved tens of thousands of dollars PER YEAR by changing to become a reimbursing employer, freeing funds for much needed capital investment. FNP has been a valued partner in this process, providing assurance that we have stopgap coverage for extraordinary claims and keeping claims response painless and simple. It’s a huge Win/Win!