The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry recently rolled out a new program called “Make it Right”, which offers amnesty to both individuals who owe money for unemployment compensation overpayments and to businesses that are delinquent in unemployment compensation tax payments. The program, which established and authorized the Unemployment Compensation Amnesty Program (Amnesty Program) in June 2012, is an attempt to regain $356 million currently owed to the UC Fund. It will run from June 1, 2013 to August 31, 2013.
Make it Right divides individuals and businesses into categories and offers different levels of amnesty to each. For example, individuals are classified as either fault claimants (individuals who knowingly provided false information on applications for benefits) and non-fault claimants (individuals who mistakenly received monies from the fund). Non-fault claimants must only pay back half of what they owe, while fault claimants must pay back the entire amount plus half of the interest and penalties assessed.
For employers that owe money to the UC Fund, the categories and corresponding amnesty vary. A list of them can be found in Section 5 of the Actamnestyamnesty here.
At the end of the amnesty period on August 31, 2013, UC debtors face the impositions of liens and other penalties. Employers and employees to whom this might apply should consider moving quickly to take advantage of a possible opportunity to limit a known liability.
For more information, contact the Claimant Amnesty Call Center at 855-284-8545.
