How is Your Unemployment Tax Calculated
As with most states, unemployment tax is taken from a base rate. In Illinois the base rate is $12,960 and that means only the first $12,960 paid to an employee is subject to unemployment tax. In Illinois unemployment tax rate ranges from 0.55% to 7.75%. Accordingly, an employer may pay between $71.28 and $1,004.40 (per employee) into the Illinois Unemployment fund.
The “new employer rate” (applicable to new businesses) is 3.55% for 2016 (this can change depending on your particular industry). This new employer rate is in effect for three years, but it can increase..
How is the Unemployment Rate Determined
The percentage that an employer pays is dependent on the number employees who claim and receive unemployment benefits from the State of Illinois as a result of being terminated from your business. As the amount of the benefits increase the employer’s variable rate will also increase..