Unemployment Benefits, Job Loss, and Taxes
Unemployment compensation is considered taxable income by the IRS and most states, thus you are required to report all unemployment income as reported on Form 1099-G on your income tax return. You should be mailed a 1099-G before January 31 stating exactly how much in taxable unemployment benefits you received.
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Is my unemployment taxable? How do I pay taxes on unemployment compensation?
Unemployment income is always considered taxable income. Apply for unemployment benefits online through your state unemployment website if you have lost your job and are looking for work.
See 1099-G instructions on eFile and learn which states tax unemployment income.
Is Unemployment Taxed as Income?
Unemployment benefits can be directly deposited into your bank account on a regular basis. This taxable income will continue to come in as long as you are looking for work, unless stated otherwise by the state or federal government, for a certain number of weeks which varies by state.
Use your unemployment benefits to help you look for work by paying bills, rent, etc. Given the situation, try not to withdraw early from a retirement account as this will result in early withdrawal penalties - details below.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Unemployment income is always taxable and must be reported on your annual tax return using Form 1099-G, received in January after the year you collected benefits.
- You have the option to withhold federal and state taxes from your unemployment benefits to avoid owing a large amount at tax time. This can be done by submitting Form W-4V - when you apply, you will be asked if you want to withhold money.
- COBRA allows you to continue your employer-based health insurance for up to 18 months after job loss, but you must pay the full premium plus an administrative fee.
- Withdrawing from retirement savings before age 59 1/2 due to financial hardship incurs both taxes on the withdrawal and a 10% early withdrawal penalty, which can affect your long-term savings.
When preparing your return on eFile.com, report the figures from your 1099-G when prompted and the taxes on your unemployment income will be calculated for you. The eFile Tax App will generate your unemployment income on Schedule 1 and file it with your return.
Your unemployment income is part of your regular 1040 income tax return.
If you are facing financial hardship due to job loss and just want to get your taxes done, contact us for a discount code after preparing your return.
The application and approval process for unemployment benefits varies by state. In most cases, in order to be approved for unemployment benefits, you must have been employed at your last job for a certain time period before you got laid off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are unemployment benefits taxed this year?
Any unemployment compensation received during the 2023 tax year must be reported on your IRS tax return since unemployment benefits are taxable IRS income. See if your state taxes unemployment benefits.
You will need to report all your income from the year on a single tax return. If you were employed prior to receiving the benefits and received income reported on Form W-2 or any other source, enter this form as well so taxes can be assessed. If you found work after receiving unemployment benefits, update your information so you no longer receive unemployment income you are not entitled to.
What form is unemployment income shown on?
Your state's unemployment office should send you a 1099-G by January 31 following a given tax year. If your state does not mail out Form 1099-G, see our state page and find how to contact the state or visit the state’s website. Box 1 will show the benefits received and Box 4 will show the federal income taxes withheld. This information will be reported on your tax return on eFile.com by following a simple tax interview.
See 1099-G instructions.
Should I withhold taxes from unemployment compensation?
How do I pay taxes on unemployment?
Option 1: You can make 1040-ES estimated tax payments online. This way, you don't have to mail in the Form 1040-ES.
Option 2: Complete your W-4 Form once you have a new job and have taxes withheld that way. Use the paycheck calculator or withholding tool to determine your withholding amount. You can also complete the W-4 Form online before you mail it to your employer, not the IRS.
Does my state tax unemployment income?
Is it okay to dip into my retirement or other account to get by when unemployed?
Losing your job is tough and you might be tempted to dip into your qualified retirement plan, IRA, or 401(k) account. Try not to do this if you can. If you cash in your retirement plans, you will pay tax on every dime you withdraw unless you have made after-tax contributions or you have certain extenuating circumstances. If you are under age 59 1/2 in the year you leave your job, you will also be hit with a 10% early withdrawal tax penalty.
If you have enough money in your 401(k) account, you can leave your money with your old employer where it will continue to grow. You may be better off transferring your 401k balance to an IRA or other retirement account which you can do by requesting this from your old employer. Otherwise, they will withhold money from your funds if they send it directly to you.
Can I go on unemployment if I was self-employed and closed my business?
The rules for unemployment for the self-employed vary by state - in many cases, since business owners or self-employed individuals don't pay unemployment insurance, you are not eligible for unemployment compensation if you shut down the business. However, if you pay yourself a wage through your business, you may be eligible.
If you lose your job, you may decide to start your own business. New business owners should check out the information that the IRS provides for you in IRS Publication 334 - Tax Guide For Small Business. You should also review the tax implications of being newly self-employed and learn about the different 1099 forms.
Was unemployment ever tax free?
The ARPA rules which made a portion of unemployment nontaxable do not apply for unemployment benefits received in any year except 2020. As a result of Stimulus 3 and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the taxation of unemployment income or benefits changed for 2020 federal returns and some states.
- The first $10,200 of 2020 unemployment benefits are nontaxable if the household adjusted gross income of the taxpayer is less than $150,000.
- For example, if you received $8,000 in regular state unemployment benefits, and $4,200 in $600 Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation weekly payments, you had a total of $12,200 in benefits. You would have excluded the first $10,200 and paid tax only on the remaining $2,000. This also applied to benefits received from Extended Benefits, Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC).
The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), which were additional unemployment benefit payments, also included the self-employed, independent contractors or freelancers, and gig-economy workers. These were unemployment benefits to those who are generally not eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits.
How does losing my job affect my health insurance?
The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) is a continuation of health coverage option you can take if you lose your job.
When you lose your job-based health insurance, compare rates from COBRA and the Marketplace. Weigh the pros and cons of each and decide on one that best suits your needs as a single taxpayer or a family plan. COBRA gives you 60 days after losing your job to make this decision. You may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if you miss the deadline for either COBRA or the Marketplace.
Is severance pay taxable?
Any severance pay or unemployment compensation you receive is taxable, in addition to any payouts received for accumulated vacation or sick time. Be sure that enough tax is withheld from these payments and you receive your final W-2 from your former employer to use for your tax return. Companies must provide them to all employees (even former ones) by January 31 of the following year. If you have left the company, this would be the year after you leave.
If you need to estimate W-4 based tax withholding, use our free W-4 TAXometer.
Are There Health Insurance Programs If I Lose My Job?
Did you know that a federal law, known as COBRA, requires your employer to allow you to keep the health coverage under their policy for up to 18 months after you are laid off? Note that the law doesn't cover firings for gross misconduct. COBRA is a continuation of health coverage policy that stands for the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. You must pay the full cost of the premium, plus an administrative fee. If you are healthy, check around as you may find cheaper premiums than what you would spend on a COBRA policy.
If you get a high-deductible policy, you can set up a Health Savings Account (HSA), which lets you make tax-deductible contributions and withdraw the money tax-free for qualified medical expenses. You will still need to report your health insurance coverage on your return in the year that you lose your job if you wish to claim the Premium Tax Credit. If your health insurance changes as a result of your job loss, or if you get another job, be sure to report any income changes or loss of health insurance to the Marketplace if you are claiming the Premium Tax Credit.
What Happens to My Retirement If I Lose or Switch Jobs?
You can leave your money invested through the account it was in or you can take hold of it. Either have it rolled into another account or have it sent directly to you.
You are also able to roll 401(k) money directly into a Roth IRA. I you want to use the Roth option, you must transfer your money to a regular IRA and then convert that account into a Roth. In either case, you have to pay taxes on the amount shifted to the Roth IRA, but all withdrawals after retirement will be tax-free.
If part of your 401(k) is invested in your old company's stock, be sure to check out the special rules for net unrealized appreciation in IRS Publication 575 - Pension and Annuity Income, which could save you money.
Related: Which states tax retirement income?
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