Category Archives: FAQ Friday

Why Did I Receive a 1099-G Tax Form?

The article was updated January 12, 2023.

Why did I get a 1099-G tax form from the Idaho Department of Labor?

A 1099-G form is a summary of your unemployment insurance benefit payments. You were mailed this form if you collected or repaid benefits the prior year. The 1099-G form shows you the total taxable amount on the benefits you were paid in that calendar year.

Are unemployment insurance benefits taxable as income?

Yes, unemployment insurance benefits are taxable. Benefit payments are reported to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Are unemployment benefits provided through the CARES Act taxable as income?  

Yes, CARES Act benefits are taxable income. You will owe taxes on these benefits to the IRS and Idaho. For more details, visit the Idaho Tax Commission website at https://tax.idaho.gov.

Can I access my 1099-G information online?

Yes. Your IRS 1099-G information will be available online by Jan. 31 at https://www2.labor.idaho.gov/ClaimantPortal.

To view your Form 1099-G:

  1. Sign into your account with ID.me. This is a secure identity verification process that makes sure you’re you. Everyone who files for unemployment benefits online must log in with ID.me.
  2. Click on the HISTORY tab.
  3. Click the Details link in the 1099-G reporting tile.
  4. Open the 1099-G Doc link for the year.

I collected or repaid unemployment insurance benefits and have not received my 1099-G tax form yet. Where is it?

The department mails 1099-G forms at the end of January to the address on your Claimant Portal account. If you move and do not update your address, the U.S. Post Office may return a Form 1099-G as undeliverable.

You must make sure the Idaho Department of Labor has your most recent and correct address. If your address has changed:

  1. Log into your Claimant Portal account.
  2. Click the ACCOUNT tab.
  3. Click the Edit Profile link.
  4. Check and update your Address Information if necessary.

You can also download your 1099-G form online through your Claimant Portal.

IMPORTANT:

  1. If you don’t update your mailing address, your 1099-G tax form could go to the wrong address. This would put your identity at risk! Your 1099-G includes your entire Social Security number, as required by the IRS.
  2. DO NOT print your 1099-G on a public printer. Continue reading →

REVISED: Claimant FAQs about Unemployment Insurance and COVID-19

A previous version of this post contained outdated information. All federal CARES Act unemployment assistance programs, including PUA were discontinued June 19, 2021.  Additional information is available here.

See these unemployment insurance FAQs for how to file and navigate the system.

Eligibility

I have COVID-19 or have been told to quarantine due to COVID-19. I am unable to work, or I am not allowed by my employer to work until my quarantine period is over. Am I eligible for unemployment benefits?

If you are unable to work due to COVID-19, you do not meet the requirements necessary to qualify for benefits.

People eligible for unemployment benefits must be unemployed through no fault of their own and they must be physically and mentally able to work. People with COVID-19 or symptoms of COVID-19 are often not eligible because they are unable to work, or they are on a leave of absence as instructed by their employer.  However, we also recognize every claim is different, as are individual circumstances.  If you wish to file a claim, you may do so. Once your claim is received, we’ll review it for eligibility using the criteria set forth in state law / rule. If you have COVID-19 or symptoms of COVID-19, please do not visit your nearest local office.  Claims may be filed online  or you can call (208) 332-8942 for assistance.

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Unemployment Claimants Can Now Use Internet Chat Tool for Help With Claims

Blog post updated Aug. 11, 2021

Click to Chat is available again as of Aug. 11, 2021

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Unemployment insurance claimants are able to use an online chat tool to speak with a claim specialist.

How do I access Click to Chat?

We recommend first reading the frequently asked questions at labor.idaho.gov/uifaqs. If you are unable to find the answer to your question, simply select the Click to Chat link located near the bottom of the page.

Is Click to Chat secure? 

Click to Chat utilizes the same security measures and protocols currently used by the Labor Department to keep information secure.  It is as safe as using our website or phone system.

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Recursos de Seguro De Desempleo para Reclamantes que Hablan Español

Yo hablo Español y no puedo leer Ingles. ¿Cómo yo puedo archivar un reclamo?

Nosotros le ayudaremos archivar su reclamo por teléfono; pero, antes de llamar, junte la siguiente información:

  • Información de su historial de trabajo por los últimos dos años que incluya nombre de empleadores, direcciones, números de teléfono, nombre de supervisores y fechas de empleo.
  • Información de su contacto actual, incluyendo dirección de correo, numero de teléfono y correo electrónico.
  • Información sobre su licencia de manejo o número de ID estatal y autorización de trabajo (mica), si corresponde.

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New IdahoWorks: What Unemployment Claimants Need to Know

The unemployment insurance website will be temporarily unavailable starting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 10 until 7 a.m. Monday, June 15.

The temporary shutdown is necessary because beginning June 15, we are launching a new IdahoWorks, a free online system job seekers use to find jobs. 

Q. I normally file my weekly report every Sunday. When should I file my weekly report during the temporary shutdown?

A. Our system will be available at 7 a.m. MDT Monday, June 15. Provided you file your weekly report on Monday, you should receive an eligible payment for week ending June 13 on Thursday, June 18.

Remember, you have until Saturday, June 20 until midnight to file your weekly report for the week ending June 13.

Continue reading →

New IdahoWorks FAQ for Job Seekers

The Idaho Department of Labor is launching a new IdahoWorks on Monday, June 15. IdahoWorks is the free online system job seekers use to find jobs, create resumes and profiles that can be matched to employers and career exploration options. ​

In order to launch the new system, the job search, job posting and the unemployment insurance systems will be temporarily unavailable starting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 10 until 7 a.m. Monday, June 15. Read our FAQs for unemployment insurance claimants for more information on how the downtime affects the filing process.

Q. What is the new IdahoWorks?

A. It is a user-friendly Web-based workforce development system that connects job seekers to jobs, employers to qualified talent and workforce professionals to tools that improve efficiency and employment outcomes. It is powered by the America’s Job Link Alliance. Continue reading →

New IdahoWorks FAQ for Employers

Beginning in mid-June 2015, the Idaho Department of Labor is launching a new IdahoWorks, the free online system businesses use to post jobs and recruit workers. ​As the launch date nears, more information will be added to this list, so please check back often.

In order to launch the new system, the job search, job posting and the unemployment insurance systems will be temporarily unavailable starting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 10 until 7 a.m. Monday, June 15. 

Q. What is the new IdahoWorks?

A. It is a user-friendly Web-based workforce development system that connects job seekers to jobs, employers to qualified talent and workforce professionals to tools that improve efficiency and employment outcomes. It is powered by the America’s Job Link Alliance. Continue reading →

Employer Quarterly Tax Reports Move Online

All Idaho employers are now required to file quarterly unemployment insurance reports online at labor.idaho.gov/employerportal. As of Jan. 1, 2015, quarterly reports are only available online at labor.idaho.gov/employerportal.

Q: Why did Idaho move to online tax reporting services?

A: Online filing saves taxpayer dollars and results in greater accuracy when calculating taxes due. Additionally, payments can be scheduled in advance, up to the due date.

Continue reading →

FAQ Friday – I Filed My Unemployment Claim. Now What Happens?

This blog post was updated with new information on March 9, 2017.

Q. I filed my initial unemployment insurance claim online. Now what?
  • Ensure your contact information is updated and correct. If more information is needed, we will email or call you, depending on the preferred contact method you selected on your application. We will also mail information regarding your claim. Failing to keep your address current can also result in payment delays.
  • Report your Waiting Week. This is the first weekly report, and you must report your waiting week to certify your claim. File your waiting week online the first Sunday after you open your claim. If you never report your waiting week, nothing will happen on your claim.
Q. How do I give my side of the story about why I am no longer working?

Once you file your weekly report for your waiting week, we will contact you by phone or email for information regarding your separation. Please note: It can take four to six weeks for a determination to be made during high volume months (November though February). Once a determination is made, it will be mailed to you. If you are allowed benefits, you will be paid the weeks you filed for and were otherwise eligible for. Payment will be issued by debit card or direct deposit. If you have received benefits via direct deposit in the past, you may need to update your banking information. If you are denied, the determination will explain why and how to protest the decision.

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FAQ Friday – Where can I learn about wages paid in my area?

The best source of wage information is the Occupational Employment and Wage Survey, a large survey of employers conducted in every state by the state workforce agencies such as Idaho Department of Labor, Oregon Employment Department and Utah Department of Workforce Services using the same procedures as developed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That allows us to compare data from one state to another and know the results are reliable.

 

wages

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