Alaska Workers May Be Eligible For Unemployment Tax Refunds

Jan. 23, 2003
No. 02-75

(Juneau) - The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development today announced that some Alaskan workers may be eligible for unemployment tax refunds.

"An employee who worked for more than one employer in 2002 may be eligible for a refund," said Greg O'Claray, Commissioner of the Labor and Workforce development. "Workers who had more than $130.00 in unemployment taxes deducted for the year can apply to the department for a refund of any overage," stated O'Claray. These taxes are usually designated as 'ESC,' ESD,' 'UI,' or 'SUI' on the employee's W-2 form.

The Employment Security Division of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development collects taxes for the Unemployment Insurance program. Alaska is one of only three states where both the employer and the worker contribute to the fund from which unemployment benefits are paid. State statutes provide for a refund for any worker who contributes in excess of $130.00, which is the per-employee annual contribution maximum, based on .5 percent of the taxable wage base of $26,000.

Forms to apply for a refund can be obtained by contacting the Employment Security Tax Office in Juneau at (907) 465-2757, by calling toll free at 1-888-448-3527, or by writing to the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Employment Security Tax Office at P.O. Box 115509, Juneau, AK 99811-5509. Refund forms may also be emailed to esd_tax@labor.state.ak.us or downloaded from the department's web site at https://labor.alaska.gov/estax/forms/toc_forms.htm. Requests for refunds must be made by December 31, 2003.

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