Previous TWC Tax Department Quarterly Report Inserts

Want a Quick Win?

Employers - Everyone likes quick wins. Here are three easy actions you can take to help reduce your unemployment tax rates AND protect the integrity of the Unemployment Insurance program.

Report new hires immediately to the state Attorney General's (AG) office. The AG's offices uses this information to locate parents who should be paying child support and TWC uses the same information to cut down on claimant fraud and overpayments. Report the date your employee started work as the new hire date. To report, go here: www.employer.oag.state.tx.us or call 1-888-TEX-Hire (839-4473).

Respond promptly and completely to a notice that a former employee has applied for unemployment benefits. We need your detailed separation information to make the right decision about paying benefits. Your notice tells you how to respond online, by telephone or by mail.

Respond promptly to an earnings information request. We reduce the claimant's weekly benefits by the amount of money the claimant has earned. You can respond online or by mail. Instructions are on the form.

Big News for Small Business in Texas!

Texas' small businesses with fewer than 100 employees have access to valuable workforce training through the Texas Workforce Commission's Skills for Small Business program.

For training that directly benefits your business, Skills for Small Business provides:

• Tuition and fees up to $1,450 for new, full-time employees
• Tuition and fees up to $725 for incumbent, full-time employees
• Funding for a wide selection of courses at public community or technical colleges, or the Texas Engineering or Extension Service (TEEX)
• An easy application for employers
• A project development team dedicated to assist with completion of your application

For more information, visit the Skills for Small Business Web site at http://ssb.texasworkforce.org, e-mail skills@twc.state.tx.us or call (877) 463-1777 toll-free.

Big News for Small Business in Texas!

The Texas Workforce Commission's Skills for Small Business program responds to the needs of Texas' more than 433,000 small businesses that have fewer than 100 employees.

These small businesses may now benefit from this workforce training initiative which provides tuition and fees for employees who participate in an existing course offered by two-year public community or technical colleges, or the Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX).

This program provides up to $1,450 for each newly hired full-time employee or up to $725 for each full-time incumbent employee. An employee can participate once during a 12-month period. Businesses apply directly to TWC for training at a local college. TWC will evaluate applications and, upon approval, fund the college for the requested training.

For more information, visit the Skills for Small Business website at http://ssb.texasworkforce.org or contact Workforce Business Services Project Development at (877) 463-1777.

Earned Income Tax Credit - Employer Responsibility

The law requires that employers notify their employees about the general eligibility requirements of the Federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), no later than March 1 of each year. You may notify your employees in person, electronically, by a payroll stuffer or via the US Postal Service.

Employers may use IRS Notice 797, or a written statement with the same wording as IRS Notice 797 when notifying employees. IRS - Notice 797 provides employees with the basic information for EITC.

The EITC is a special tax benefit for your employees who work full-time or part-time. If they qualify, they will owe less in taxes and may even get cash back. Even if they don't owe income tax they could get a tax refund. It is very easy to apply for the Earned Income Tax Credit. Your employees can do it when they fill out their federal income tax return.

Find out more about EITC from the IRS at http://www.eitc.irs.gov/ptoolkit/main/, follow the IRS on Twitter @IRSEITCDay or by calling 1-800-829-1040. If you use a TDD, call 1-800-829-4059.