Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA):

Employer’s Guide 2024

The Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) is a U.S. law requiring employers to pay taxes that fund unemployment benefits for workers who lose their jobs. Based on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), this tax is levied on employers and is not recoverable from employee wages. The money received through FUTA is used to finance state unemployment insurance programs and aims to provide the necessary funding for people who have lost their jobs temporarily.

For 2024, the FUTA tax rate is 6% of the first $7000 of wages paid to each employee or the FUTA wage base. According to the IRS, Employers who also remit state unemployment tax (SUTA) promptly may be eligible for a FUTA tax credit of up to 5.4%, making the federal tax rate as low as 0.6%. This comparison between FUTA and SUTA makes it easier to unravel how these taxes co-exist and affect each other.

Employers must note that not all are bound to pay the FUTA taxes. For example, it does not apply to non-profit organizations with 501(c)(3) status and those working for themselves. However, the requirement applies to most businesses that incur wages of over $1,500 in a calendar quarter or have one or more employees working at least 20 or more weeks in a year.

What is the Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA)?

The Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) is a U.S. law requiring employers to pay a tax that funds unemployment compensation programs. The primary purpose of the Federal Unemployment Tax Act is to provide financial assistance to workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. The funds are to help State unemployment programs. Thus, there is protection for workers who become unemployed.

This is in addition to SUTA, the state unemployment tax, which is similar to FUTA but has specific variations. SUTA is a state fund, whereas FUTA is an IRS tax that is due annually. Employers can receive a tax credit of up to 5.4% of timely SUTA payments, meaning they can decrease their federal taxes. This relationship demonstrates how FUTA collaborates with payroll taxes in the administration of unemployment.

FUTA works for all employers who pay their employees $500 or more per quarter, but there are exemptions. For example, organizations classified under 501(c)(3) as nonprofit organizations and small employers with limited payroll services do not pay FUTA. The rules on which employers must pay FUTA taxes vary depending on wages paid and the number of employees.

How does FUTA work with payroll taxes?

The Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) works alongside State Unemployment Taxes (SUTA) to fund unemployment benefits. FUTA is a federal tax administered by the IRS, while SUTA is a state-administered tax levied on employers. Employers who pay SUTA on time can get a tax credit of 5.4%, bringing the FUTA tax rate from 6% down to 0.6%. Unlike FUTA, several states have provisions for extra unemployment tax contributions from the employees. This federal-state relationship makes sure that the unemployment programs are adequately funded. The FUTA credit helps promote the early payment of SUTA. It helps reduce the overall costs to employers and helps ensure compliance with federal and state unemployment taxes.

How much is the FUTA tax for 2025?

The 2025 FUTA tax rate is 6%, applied to the first $7,000 of each employee’s annual wages, known as the FUTA wage base. Employers can reduce this rate to 0.6% by claiming a 5.4% credit if they pay their state unemployment taxes (SUTA) on time. You can find more about that here.

Step to know how much the FUTA tax is for 2025:

1. Identify total wages paid to employees.
2. Cap wages at $7,000 per employee.
3. Multiply the total wage base by 6% (or 0.6% with the credit).

Example:

If an employer has 10 employees, each earning at least $7,000:

Then how much is the FUTA tax for 2024?

• Wage base = $7,000 × 10 = $70,000
• FUTA tax without credit = $70,000 × 6% = $4,200
• With SUTA credit = $70,000 × 0.6% = $420

This ensures FUTA compliance while optimizing employer costs.

How to calculate FUTA tax liability and how to reduce it?

Employers should ensure timely payments for SUTA to reduce the FUTA tax implications. The federal tax rate is 6%, but if employers make sure they pay all SUTA and make timely payments, they can take a credit of 5.4%, which brings the FUTA tax rate to 0.6%. This reduces employee costs from $420 to $42 for wages not exceeding $7,000 per employee per year.

This can be achieved by effectively managing the workforce, further enhancing costs. Payroll and the use of employees’ hours should be well monitored so that the wages to be paid reflect efficiency and price within the budget. For seasonal or temporary employees, do not exceed the $7,000 FUTA wage for the payroll to prevent extra tax costs. Moreover, consider bidding on non-integral activities through independent contractors since payments on contractors do not attract FUTA.

FUTA costs and requirements can be compliantly and cost-effectively controlled with strategic payroll practices in place.

Common FUTA compliance mistakes to avoid

Employers should ensure timely payments for SUTA to reduce the FUTA tax implications. The federal tax rate is 6%, but if employers make sure they pay all SUTA and make timely payments, they can take a credit of 5.4%, which brings the FUTA tax rate to 0.6%. This reduces employee costs from $420 to $42 for wages not exceeding $7,000 per employee per year.

Other ways that can also enhance the efficiency of cost include effective management of the workforce. Employers should monitor employees’ working hours and payments to ensure they pay their employees appropriately. For seasonal or temporary employees, do not exceed the $7,000 FUTA wage for the payroll to prevent extra tax costs. Also, consider performing non-strategic activities using independent contractors because payments to these contractors are not taxed under FUTA.

FUTA costs and requirements can be compliantly and cost-effectively controlled with strategic payroll practices in place.

FUTA vs. other payroll taxes

The Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA), the State Unemployment Tax Act (SUTA), and Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) serve distinct purposes and have different rules.

FUTA finances unemployment, which is contributed only by employers. It works at the federal level with a rate of 6% on the initial $7,000 of each employee’s salary. This rate can be lowered to 0.6% by getting a 5.4% credit for timely state tax payments.

On the other hand, SUTA is administered at a state level to finance unemployment compensation. Certain states also allow employers to be taxed alongside employees to fund the program. SUTA rates, and more importantly, wage bases, are not universal, making the control of unemployment benefits more localized.

FICA funds social security and medicare, which are contributed by employers and employees. Both employers and employees pay equal contributions expressed in percentage form with no ceiling on the gross wages for medicare.

The critical difference lies in their purposes: FUTA and SUTA contribute towards unemployment compensation while FICA contributes for its employees’ retirement and health care. Furthermore, FUTA is a federally controlled act; SUTA and FICA are partly supported by state or individual contributions and have different management.

Final thoughts

Compliance with the Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) is crucial for employers to support unemployment programs and avoid penalties. FUTA mandates that employers pay a tax on the wages paid to the employees up to $7,000 a year and allows the reduction of the 6% tax rate to 0.6% on fulfilling the SUTA. Payroll management, correct calculation of wages, and filling the form 940 on time are crucial to keep up with compliance.

This information is essential for employers as it allows them to differentiate between FUTA, SUTA, and other payroll taxes, including FICA. Although FUTA is paid only by employers, its integration with state taxes helps organize proper unemployment compensation financing.

Employers can seek the services of a tax advisor for advice on the specific regulations and how to optimize the tax credits. Engaging an expert is always cheaper than facing similar issues in the future.

FAQ

What is the Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA)?

The Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) is a U.S. federal law that taxes employers to fund unemployment compensation programs. This tax offers financial assistance to qualified workers who become unemployed through the employer, for instance, a layoff. FUTA supplements state unemployment programs and guarantees these benefits exist across the United States. FUTA is unique in that it is not an employer-and-employee tax split but is solely funded by the employer with no contribution from the employee’s paycheck.

How does FUTA affect employers?

Federal Unemployment Tax Act or FUTA mandates the employer to deposit a tax on the first $7000 of each employee’s wages annually. The tax aids unemployment programs and, therefore, becomes the mandate of most firms. FUTA penalties include fines for late payments and other filing violations that can be imposed on any employer not complying with FUTA rules. Nevertheless, payment of state unemployment taxes, also called SUTA, before the due date can lower the FUTA. Employers must also submit Form 940 to report annually on the FUTA in use. Employers also remain compliant to assist in maintaining unemployment benefits as a resource while ensuring that the costs remain controlled.

Who is exempt from paying FUTA taxes?

Certain employers are exempt from paying FUTA taxes, including:

• Any charitable organizations registered under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service.
• State and local government agencies.
• Any household employer who pays employees less than $1,000 in wages in a calendar quarter.
• Employers who hire independent contractors or those who are self-employed since payments made to them are exempted from FUTA.
• These exemptions ensure that FUTA targets big organizations and those that fund unemployment schemes.

What is the current FUTA tax rate?

FUTA tax for 2024 remains at 6% levied on the initial $7000 of the employee wages which is FUTA wage base. Any employer that pays SUTA taxes on time can be allowed a credit of 5.4% and, therefore, FUTA be at the rate of 0.6%. This translates to an employer contributing a maximum of $42 per employee per annum if he meets the credit requirements.

How do employers file for FUTA taxes?

Employers complete and submit FUTA taxes on Form 940 or the Employer’s Annual Federal Unemployment Tax Return. This form is filed once every fiscal year no later than January 31 of the following year. However, FUTA taxes have to be paid to the employer if their amount is over $500 for the year, which has to be done on a quarterly basis. In case of quarterly deposits, payments are normally made on the last day of the month after the end of the particular quarter. FUTA payments must be remitted through the EFTPS to help in remitting to the IRS, in compliance with its set rules.

Is FUTA different from state unemployment taxes?

Yes, FUTA is a federal tax administered by the IRS, while SUTA’s are state taxes set and administered by states. FUTA pays administrative expenses as well as aids state unemployment programs, and SUTA solely funds unemployment payment in some states. Contrary to FUTA, some states allow employees to contribute to SUTA. Employers who pay SUTA on time are allowed to recover 5.4% of the FUTA tax, resulting in low federal tax levies payable by the employer.

Article Author – Gino Peters

Gino Peters is the Commercial Director at ThisWorks, with a rich history of nearly a decade in international payroll. Throughout his tenure, he has consistently kept abreast of evolving labor legislation, ensuring that ThisWorks remains at the forefront of industry knowledge. Beyond his vast expertise, Gino is deeply committed to advising and guiding clients and partners with precise insights. His leadership guarantees that all content and operations at ThisWorks meet the highest standards of clarity, accuracy, and compliance.
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