Question

The following unemployment tax rate schedule is in effect for the calendar year 2019 in State A, which uses the reserve-ratio formula in determining employer contributions:

Reserve Ratio	Contribution Rate
0.0% or more, but less than 1.0%	6.7%
1.0% or more, but less than 1.2%	6.4%
1.2% or more, but less than 1.4%	6.1%
1.4% or more, but less than 1.6%	5.8%
1.6% or more, but less than 1.8%	5.5%
1.8% or more, but less than 2.0%	5.2%
2.0% or more, but less than 2.2%	4.9%
2.2% or more, but less than 2.4%	4.6%
2.4% or more, but less than 2.6%	4.3%
2.6% or more, but less than 2.8%	4.0%
2.8% or more, but less than 3.0%	3.7%
3.0% or more, but less than 3.2%	3.4%
3.2% or more	3.1%

Hyram Company, which is located in State A, had an average annual payroll of $840,000 for the three 12-month periods ending on June 30, 2018 (the computation date for the tax year 2019). As of June 30, 2018, the total contributions that had been made to Hyram Company's reserve account, in excess of the benefits charged, amounted to $16,968. Compute the following:

a. Hyram Company's reserve ratio for 2018. Round your answer to two decimal places.
%

b. 2019 contribution rate for the company. Round your answer to one decimal place.
%

c. Smallest contribution that the company can make in order to reduce its tax rate if State A permits voluntary contributions.
$

d. Tax savings realized by the company, taking into consideration the voluntary contribution made in (c) if the taxable payroll in 2019 is $980,000.

Answer 1

a	Hyram Company's reserve ratio for 2018	2.02%
	(16968/840000)
b	2019 contribution rate for the company	4.90%
	Reserve Ratio: 2.0% or more, but less than 2.2%
c	Smallest contribution (840000*2.2%-16968)	$ 1,512
d	Tax savings realized (980000*(4.9%-4.6%)-1512)	$ 1,428