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Part 11: Your Unemployment Records

PRIVACY:

Individual claim computer records are available by calling one of the information/assistance telephone numbers. The department will only give information about your claim to you or to the employer that is charged for benefits. The Privacy Act does not allow us to give information to a family member.

INCOME TAXES:

Unemployment insurance is considered income for federal and state tax purposes. Each year all of your benefit payments are reported to the Internal Revenue Service and the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. You can ask to have state and federal taxes withheld from your unemployment checks or make estimated tax payments. Unemployment insurance is considered income for federal and state tax purposes. Each year all of your benefit payments are reported to the Internal Revenue Service and the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. You can ask to have state and federal taxes withheld from your unemployment checks or make estimated tax payments.

If you decide to have taxes withheld, we will deduct 10% for federal taxes and/or 5% for state taxes from your weekly benefit check. To have state and/or federal unemployment taxes withheld, call one of the initial claims application telephone numbers listed on the back of the handbook and press 2. You may discontinue your withholding election at any time by calling the same telephone number.

For information on when you need to make an estimated tax payment, see IRS Publication 505, "Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax Payments" or the instructions for Form 1040-ES "Estimated Tax for individuals."

We mail Form 1099-G to your last-known address no later than February 1 of each year. If your address changes, call one of the initial claim application telephone numbers and press 3 to update your address, even if you are not filing a claim at that time. You can also access your Form 1099-G on-line at www.ucclaim-wi.org. If you elect to have state and/or federal taxes withheld, your 1099-G will include the withholdings from your UI benefit checks for that tax year.

If you have any questions about how your UI payments will affect your taxes, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 or the local office of the Wisconsin Department of Revenue at 1-608-266-2486 or 1-414-227-4000. To order form 1040-ES, or Publication 505, call 1-800 TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676).

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