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Unemployment Tax Trouble

January 21st, 2010 by flanews

A rising unemployment rate is leading to higher taxes for employers. Small business owners are now calling on lawmakers to put a hold on the March increase. As Whitney Ray tells us, if they don’t act soon, more layoffs could be in the works.

Arun Kundra owns a travel center and hotel. He’s maintained a staff of 30 people through the recession but business is still slow.

“We are just on life-support. We are just maintaining on reserves,” said Arun.

A drastic increase in the state’s unemployment tax will cost Arun 18,000 more this year than last.

“Any increases, anymore expenses hurts business. It is difficult for small business,” said Arun.

Thousands of Florida businesses are in the same predicament. The tax is increasing between 500 and a thousand percent.

Tuesday hotel owners from across Florida rallied against the tax at the State Capitol and it seems their voices are being heard.

The governor and legislative leaders are considering postponing the increase. State Senator Mike Haridopolos says if the increase isn’t stopped more layoffs will follow.

“It’s going to become a self-fulfilling prophecy if you allow this tax increase to take place because those very people who are keeping people hired are going to have to let people go to pay the tax,” said Haridopolos.

Lawmakers will have to act soon. The first payments are due March 31st. If the increase is deferred the state will have to find another way to pay back money barrowed from the federal government to pay unemployment claims. Right now the state is barrowing about 300 million dollars a month to pay claims.

Posted in Legislature, State News, Unemployment | 1 Comment »

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