Unemployment Tax Increased Taxable Wages
The Florida Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund has been paying out more funds than it has been taking in, due to increased unemployment in Florida. As a result, temporary changes were made to unemployment tax law during the 2009 legislative session to increase funds being paid into Florida.

Increased taxable wages resulting in additional tax to be paid for 5 years
Florida Statutes were amended to increase the amount of taxable wages for unemployment tax. Effective January 1, 2010, employers must pay tax on the first $8,500 (was $7,000)  of wages paid per employee  per calendar year.. The amount of wages subject to unemployment tax will remain at $8,500 through December 31, 2014. The taxable amount is slated to return to the first $7,000 of wages effective January 1, 2015.

The Department of Revenue annually provides the calculation of the employer’s unemployment tax rate to each employer. Be on the lookout for a notice from the Florida Department of Revenue advising you of your new rate effective January 1, 2010.  

As a result of changes to the statutes, you may also be facing an increased unemployment tax rate effective in future years.  However, currently the rate cannot exceed 5.4%.