CALIFORNIA – US DOL TO LAUNCH INVESTIGATION INTO UI PROGRAM With California’s unemployment fund deeply in debt, including $21 billion in borrowed funds from the federal government to pay benefits, employers have been facing increased unemployment insurance taxes to help repay this debt for years. Now, the U.S. Department of

MICHIGAN – REMINDER: UPCOMING GO LIVE DATE FOR MiUI RELEASE, DOWNTIME SCHEDULED As a final reminder, the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) will be transitioning to a new tax and benefits system called MiUI this week. Beginning this afternoon, Wednesday, February 18 at 4:30PM ET through Sunday, February 22, MiWAM

MICHIGAN – UPCOMING GO LIVE DATE FOR MiUI RELEASE, DOWNTIME SCHEDULED As a reminder, the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) is transitioning to a new tax and benefits system called MiUI, which will replace the current Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM). The MiUI site will initially be used for tax

NEW YORK – TAXABLE WAGE BASE SEES SIZABLE INCREASE FOR 2026 At the beginning of the year, New York’s taxable wage base increased to $17,600, up 37.5% since 2025. This was a result of the state’s 2025 budget bill, which updated the taxable wage base calculation to reflect 18% of

MAINE – PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE BEGINS MAY 1, 2026 The Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) Authority confirmed that benefits will begin on May 1, 2026. According to the law under which Paid Family and Medical Leave was authorized, benefits were set to begin on May 1;

MINNESOTA – PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ROLLOUT, CLARIFICATION On January 1, 2026, Minnesota officially rolled out its Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML). PFML provides job protection and payments to individuals who need time off to care for themselves or loved ones, including qualifying medical reasons, bonding, military, caring,

IRS – EXTENDS TRANSITION PERIOD FOR PAID FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE TAX REQUIREMENTS In January 2025, the IRS issued additional guidance regarding federal tax and reporting requirements associated with Paid Family and Medical Leave for all participating states. After several states requested an extension in order to implement required changes, the

US DOL – CENTRALIZED UI PILOT PROGRAM UPDATE In October, Thomas & Company reported on the Unemployment Centralization Pilot Program, announced by the US Department of Labor (US DOL). According to the US DOL, the intention is not to pilot initial claims intake or processing but rather serve as a

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Thomas & Company wishes you a Happy New Year! We look forward to what we can accomplish together in the new year! QUARTERLY REPORTS AND FILINGS REMINDER Fourth quarter 2025 reporting for most states will open this week, on Thursday, January 1, 2026. This includes Unemployment Insurance