Dumb unemployment question.

[lmonter]

So, hubby was laid off this year, and we got unemployment for a while. But no income taxes taken out of it at the time. Do I need to go tracking down a W-2 of some sort from some obscure branch of the gov't? Or something else? Because I'd like to get our taxes out of the way sometime soon, and that's the last piece of this years odd tax puzzle.

[rhiandmoi]

You should automatically get that W2 in the mail. I wouldn't call until they are late though, which I think is Feb 5.

[Polliwog]

You can probably get the information on your state's unemployment website. I don't think it's a W-2, but can't remember what it's called.

[Kiernan]

Originally Posted by Polliwog

You can probably get the information on your state's unemployment website. I don't think it's a W-2, but can't remember what it's called.

Yes you can, at least in Massachusetts. It's called a 1099-G, and just became available today.

Keep in mind that as part of the recovery act, the first $2400 of unemployment benefits is tax exempt for 2009. If both spouses claimed unemployment during the year, both can take the exemption.

[leavemealone]

I have always received a notice saying it was available online. I log into my account (same place where I filed weekly claims) and was able to print it out.

[Jadzia]

I just received mine in the mail yesterday.

It arrived before any of our work W-2s.

[Smithie]

Taxes on unemployment insurance.

Craziness.

[Stayseeliz]

Originally Posted by Smithie

Taxes on unemployment insurance.

Craziness.

You should see the amount they take out if you have them withold taxes from the check before you get it too. It's crazy-like 1/4 of what the check is. Way more than someone making $300 a week is going to pay at the end of the year anyway. I mean, you get that back when you file your taxes but it's still way too much to withold initially.

[notjustmamie]

Originally Posted by Stayseeliz

You should see the amount they take out if you have them withold taxes from the check before you get it too. It's crazy-like 1/4 of what the check is. Way more than someone making $300 a week is going to pay at the end of the year anyway. I mean, you get that back when you file your taxes but it's still way too much to withold initially.

Really? It's that much?? When DH got unemployment, when he first filed, he could choose to have 13% withheld for taxes or not (10% for federal and 3% for state). This was in Illinois.

[leavemealone]

The state where I live will only take out 10% for federal taxes. I haven't been able to find a way for them to take out any for state taxes.

[CookiePie]

I'm so confused we got a 1099-G however there is no box 1, to state how much DH made only box 2 (state or local income tax, refunds, credits, or offsets, DH thinks that this has to do with the house it is in both of our names. Also box 3 states that it is from 2008.... he did not get unemployment in 2008....Is there another form I'm missing or something?

[mnnice]

Originally Posted by CookiePie

I'm so confused we got a 1099-G however there is no box 1, to state how much DH made only box 2 (state or local income tax, refunds, credits, or offsets, DH thinks that this has to do with the house it is in both of our names. Also box 3 states that it is from 2008.... he did not get unemployment in 2008....Is there another form I'm missing or something?

I would suspect that 1099-G your talking about is from your last years state refund not your DH unemployment. We had both and they came as separate documents.

[CookiePie]

Originally Posted by mnnice

I would suspect that 1099-G your talking about is from your last years state refund not your DH unemployment. We had both and they came as separate documents.

That makes sense. So do I need to use this in filing my 2009 taxes?

[mnnice]

Originally Posted by CookiePie

That makes sense. So do I need to use this in filing my 2009 taxes?

You sure do. Any 2008 refunds you get in 2009 are income for 2009.