How do I change Unemployment tax rate?

It should give you the option to change from Jan. 1.  Since the quarter is already closed, however, you will probably receive a notice of over payment of this tax and will need to make an adjustment when you pay the next quarter.  If they send the funds back, just deposit them to that payroll expense acct. 

On my QB Desktop Pro 2017, you go to "Lists" on the top tool bar; then, within the  drop-down menu, click on "Payroll Item List"; on the "list" that appears, under the column "Type" (of account), go down to "State Unemployment Tax."

MY unemployment tax rate went from .0046 to .0010.

I had .46% before, but when I input .10%, I get .1%, is this correct?

I would appreciate your assistance...thanks!

Is this for Texas? If so, I believe the lowest is 0.36% which is made up of the 0.10% Employment and Training Investment Assessment and a 0.26% Replenishment Tax Rate. 

I am having this same issue - how was it solved, please?

Copied from help pages:

 Solved

Thank you for sharing what you did, cbedford.

Let's try to do the data integrity troubleshooting steps. Let's run verify and rebuild data In QuickBooks Desktop.

1. Click File on the menu, then Utilities.
2. Select Verify Data.

After running the verify data, select  File, Utilities then Rebuild Data.

Check this article for more information: Verify and Rebuild Data in QuickBooks Desktop.

Now let's try to update the PA State Unemployment rate again.

Let me know how it goes. I'll be around to assist you more if ever you need it. 

I have tried all the methods listed here and cannot change my MD unemployment rate. I use QB2017 and the MD unemployment does not even show up in the payroll item list yet it does show up in the pay liabilities section every quarter.

Hello there, saphyre1225. 

Let's update your copy of QuickBooks to ensure you have the latest improvements and fixes. Here's how:

1. Choose Help > Update QuickBooks.

2. Click the Update Now tab .

3. select  the Get Updates button.

4. Click  Close once done. 

Then, we can update the state's unemployment rate again. Go to Lists and select Payroll Items List. Double-click on the item and update it. 

If the same thing happen, I suggest getting in touch with us to we can further investigate. 

1. From the Help menu, click QuickBooks Desktop Help.
2. Click Contact us and enter your concern something like update SUI rate. 
3. Click Continue and select Chat. 

I'll be here if you need more help. Keep safe!

We already change it.

We appreciate you for joining the thread, La Casa.

Would you mind sharing more info about what happened after changing the rate? This way, we'll be able to pinpoint the root cause of the issue.

If you have additional info or questions, don't doubt to reply to this thread. We'll be happy to have you. Have a great day ahead.

The state unemployment rate is 3.85%. It needs to be change, it's currently showing 1.4%.

The state unemployment rate is 3.85%. It currently show 1.4%. 

How do we change the unemployment rate.

Thanks for getting back to us, La Casa.

I can help you change your unemployment tax rate in QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT).

Since State Unemployment Insurance (SUI) rate isn’t part of the normal tax table updates. You'll need to update it manually. Don't worry! The steps to do this are quick and simple. This can be done by going to the Lists menu.

Here's how:

1. In QBDT, go to the Lists menu at the top.
2. Select Payroll Item List in the drop-down.
3. Double-click [state abbreviation] - Unemployment Company.
4. Choose Next until you reach the Company tax rates window.
5. Enter the correct rates for each quarter.
6. Hit Next, then Finish.

For more information about managing and changing SUI rate in QBDT, check out this article: Update your State Unemployment Insurance (SUI) rate.

You can browse our compliance page to ensure that you entered the correct tax rate in QBDT: Access state agency websites for payroll. It also provides details about your tax forms, unemployment tax, E-file and Pay, and Employer registration.

Also, I'm adding this article about how QuickBooks calculates and knows the tax amounts on an employee's paycheck for future reference: Understand how your payroll taxes are calculated.

Please leave a comment below if you have more questions about this or anything else. I'll be more than willing to assist. Keep safe.

CBE1000234422344

Daliil [last name removed]

[phone number removed]

Final payroll for 2023 already completed, received letter from DOL with new rate for 2024.  Unable to change rate, QB's message indicates rate is incorrect and will not save updated rate.

But this doesn't allow you to change the limit amount. Normally it automatically changes but now not updating to current amount. How do I fix that?

Hi there, Bluewater. I'm here to ensure you can update the unemployment limit amount in QuickBooks. 

First, did you encounter any error messages or prompts when updating the amount? If so, can you share it on the thread? It'll help us provide the necessary fixes to resolve the issue.

When using QuickBooks Desktop Payroll, it is important to note that the state unemployment insurance (SUI) rate isn't included in the regular tax table updates. Therefore, it is necessary to update this information manually. Doing so will also allow you to stay up-to-date with any changes in state regulations that can affect your payroll calculations.

Here's how:

1. Go to the Lists menu and select Payroll Item List.
2. Double-click [state abbreviation] - Unemployment Company.
3. Select Next until you reach the Company tax rates window.
4. Add the correct rates for each quarter.
5. Hit Next, then Finish.

If the changes didn't reflect, it is important to make sure your payroll tax tables are updated to the latest release. It'll guarantee your payroll calculations are accurate and reflect the most current tax rates and information. By doing so, you can avoid any errors or penalties when you file your payroll taxes.

Before proceeding, I recommend updating QuickBooks Desktop so you have the latest features and product improvements. Here's how:

1. Go to the Help menu.
2. Choose the Update QuickBooks Desktop.
3. Click the Update Now tab.
4. Put a check mark inside the Reset the updates box.
5. Select Get Updates to re-download the updates.
6. From the QuickBooks Desktop Update Service window, select Install Now.

Once done, let's update the payroll tax table:

1. Go to Employees, then select Get Payroll Updates.
2. Click Download entire payroll update.
3. Hit Update. An informational window appears when the download is complete.

For more details, please see this article: Get the latest tax table update in QuickBooks Desktop Payroll.

If you have follow-up questions or concerns with updating rates in QuickBooks, please leave a comment below and I'll be glad to answer them for you. 

Thank You for replying. As to the updates, I have done all of those. The problem is not the "rate", it is the annual Limit. I contacted QB Payroll and have been told unless you have a "subscription" for Payroll now, you no longer get updates! And you have no way of changing manually the Social Security or the unemployment annual limit. Not even sure you can change the rate anymore. Most of my clients are small and don't want to pay for the QB payroll, they just want to be able to do their own payroll, paying the taxes through EFTPS. QB has made it very hard for the small guy to do this. They have struck us small guys in the pocketbook again.

Appreciate your help!