News Summary

California’s business owners are confronting unexpected payroll tax hikes due to the state’s $55 billion fallout from unemployment fraud during the pandemic. With automatic approval of unemployment claims leading to significant fraud, employers are now burdened with higher taxes to cover the state’s debts. The hikes are expected to reach $105 per employee annually by 2024, creating financial strain in an already struggling economy. This situation is prompting discussions about relocating businesses to states with more favorable tax policies, highlighting the dire implications for Georgia’s economic landscape.

California Business Owners Hit with Surprise Payroll Tax Hikes

As the sun sets over bustling California, many business owners are facing a shocking and unwelcome surprise: rising payroll taxes. These increases are directly connected to the state’s staggering $55 billion fallout from unemployment fraud that took place during the COVID-19 pandemic. It seems that while lockdowns left many businesses struggling, the state may have opened the floodgates on unemployment claims, and now it’s the employers who are paying the price.

The Fraud that Changed the Game

The heart of the issue lies in how California managed unemployment applications during the height of the pandemic. In an effort to quickly support citizens, applications were **automatically approved**, leading to numerous instances of fraud. The state poured billions into unemployment benefits, but the reckoning has begun for businesses that now find themselves scrambling to handle the financial fallout.

The Federal Government’s Role

Here’s where it gets a bit sticky: California, like many states, took out loans from the federal government to cover unemployment benefits. But if a state doesn’t resolve these loans, it faces the dreaded prospect of automatic payroll tax hikes. California businesses are now struggling to understand how they will manage these new costs.

Real-World Impact

For instance, one local business owner, a chef at Calico Fish House, has already noticed a jaw-dropping $2,000 increase in his payroll taxes. This isn’t just a small shift; it’s an extra burden attributed to California’s significant budget shortfall and the federal government’s demand for repayment. Businesses are catching the short end of the stick; they must now cover expenses related to the state’s handling of lockdown-era unemployment claims.

Political Backlash

Comparative Tax Atmosphere

A Staggering Debt

$21 billion debt owed to the federal government. The state currently does not have enough revenues to cover the ongoing unemployment benefits, pushing this alarming figure even higher. If the repayment pace doesn’t pick up, experts project our debt could climb to nearly $22 billion by 2025.

New Payroll Tax Rules on the Horizon

15% tax surcharge on top of regular unemployment taxes just to begin paying off the trust fund loan. This tax burden is nothing to sneeze at. By 2024, businesses can expect their federal taxes to leap from $42 to around $105 per employee annually, with further increases looming in the years beyond.

Struggles Ahead

$1.6 billion a year during the upcoming years. And as payroll taxes climb at a rate of $21 per employee annually, this spells out about $400 million more in expenses for California businesses.

The Bigger Picture

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

California Business Owners Face Payroll Tax Increases