Do You Know Unemployment Benefits Are Taxable?

The Surprise many taxpayers will face next year

unemployment benefits
08 September 2020
Taxes
David M Robson

With the passage of the CARES Act stimulus package earlier this year, the federal government added $600 to the normal state weekly unemployment benefits and increased the number of benefit weeks to a total of 39.

In many cases, workers are receiving unemployment benefits for the first time in their lives, and they may not be aware that the benefits are fully taxable for federal purposes. Potentially making matters worse is that most states also tax unemployment benefits. This may come as a surprise with a potentially unpleasant outcome for many when it comes time to file their 2020 tax return next year.

Those who received unemployment benefits will be sent a Form 1099-G (Certain Government Payments) from the state that paid the benefits. This tax form shows the amount of unemployment benefits received and the amount of tax withheld, if any.

There are several states where unemployment benefits are not taxable. Seven states do not have a state income tax, so obviously, unemployment benefits are not taxable in those states, which are:

  • Alaska 
  • Florida 
  • Nevada 
  • South Dakota 
  • Texas 
  • Washington 
  • Wyoming
 Seven states have state income tax, but do not tax employment benefits. They include:
  • California 
  • Montana 
  • New Hampshire 
  • New Jersey 
  • Oregon 
  • Pennsylvania 
  • Tennessee 
  • Virginia 
Two states exempt 50% of amounts above $12,000 (single taxpayer) or $18,000 (married taxpayers). They are:
  • Indiana 
  • Wisconsin 
If you’ve collected unemployment compensation this year, your benefits’ impact on your tax bill will depend on a number of factors, including the amount of unemployment received, what other income you have, whether you are single or married (and, if married, whether you and your spouse are both receiving unemployment benefits), and whether you had or are having income tax withheld from benefit payments.

If you have questions about the taxation of unemployment compensation, please give this office a call.



David M Robson