Jobless Americans Face Surprise Tax Bills On Unemployment Benefits
3 years, 10 months ago

Jobless Americans Face Surprise Tax Bills On Unemployment Benefits

Huff Post  

Illustration:Rebecca Zisser/HuffPost; Photo: Getty Julie Evans thought she’d get a refund from the IRS this year, so she got to work on her taxes first thing in January. When he sketched out his taxes last month, O’Brien was surprised to find he owes $1,000 to the federal government and $600 to the state because of his unemployment benefits. In fact, unemployment benefits weren’t taxed at all until 1978, when members of Congress — spurred on by conservative economist Martin Feldstein — expressed worry that if jobless payments weren’t taxed like income, workers would have an “incentive” to remain unemployed. In normal times, the taxes on unemployment benefits aren’t a big issue: People are unemployed for a few weeks, and don’t make enough money to owe anything back in taxes. “We give money to people to survive, and then we take it back.” - Stephanie Freed, co-founder of Extend PUA Even if money was withheld from unemployment checks, it likely wasn’t enough, and will only cover federal taxes.

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History of this topic

US unemployment benefit applications stable, but continuing claims surge to 3-year high
2 weeks, 1 day ago

US unemployment benefit applications stable, but continuing claims surge to 3-year high

India Today  

The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits remained unchanged last week. Continuing claims, the total number of Americans collecting jobless benefits, climbed by 46,000 to 1.91 million for the week of December 14. That’s more than analysts projected and the most since the week of November 13, 2021 when the labor market was still recovering from the COVID-19 jobs …

US applications for jobless benefits rise to highest level in 2 months but remain relatively low
4 weeks, 1 day ago

US applications for jobless benefits rise to highest level in 2 months but remain relatively low

Associated Press  

U.S. applications for unemployment benefits jumped to their highest level in two months last week but remain low relative to historical standards. This week’s report also showed that continuing claims, the total number of Americans collecting jobless benefits, rose by 15,000 to 1.89 million for the week of Nov. 30. The Fed has cut its benchmark rate at its last …

U.S. applications for jobless benefits rise to highest level in 2 months but remain relatively low
4 weeks, 2 days ago

U.S. applications for jobless benefits rise to highest level in 2 months but remain relatively low

LA Times  

A help wanted sign is displayed at a restaurant in Chicago on Nov. 25. U.S. applications for unemployment benefits jumped to their highest level in two months last week but remain low relative to historical standards. This week’s report also showed that continuing claims, the total number of Americans collecting jobless benefits, rose by 15,000 to 1.89 million for the …

Number of Americans filing for jobless benefits falls again and hovers near 7-month lows
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Number of Americans filing for jobless benefits falls again and hovers near 7-month lows

Associated Press  

The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell last week, remaining near seven-month lows. However, continuing claims, the total number of Americans collecting jobless benefits, rose by 9,000 to 1.91 million for the week of Nov. 16. While the number of new people applying for jobless aid each week remains at historically healthy levels, some who are receiving benefits …

U.S. applications for unemployment benefits inch up, but remain at historically healthy levels
4 months, 2 weeks ago

U.S. applications for unemployment benefits inch up, but remain at historically healthy levels

Associated Press  

Slightly more Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week, but the number of claims remains at healthy levels. But they started rising in May, hitting 250,000 in late July and adding to evidence that high interest rates are taking a toll on the U.S. job market. However, the tiny increase in claims this week follows two straight weeks of declines, …

U.S. applications for unemployment benefits inch up, but remain at historically healthy levels
4 months, 2 weeks ago

U.S. applications for unemployment benefits inch up, but remain at historically healthy levels

LA Times  

A hiring sign is displayed at a liquor store in Arlington Heights, Ill., in May. The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits rose modestly last week, but the level of claims remains at healthy levels. But they started rising in May, hitting 250,000 in late July and adding to evidence that high interest rates are taking a toll on …

Fewer Americans filed for jobless benefits last week, but applications remain slightly elevated
5 months ago

Fewer Americans filed for jobless benefits last week, but applications remain slightly elevated

LA Times  

The number of Americans filing for jobless benefits fell last week but remain at slightly elevated though not troubling levels. Jobless claims for the week of Aug. 3 fell by 17,000 to 233,000 last week, the Labor Department reported Thursday. Thursday’s report was the first snapshot of the U.S. labor market since last week’s deeply disappointing jobs data for July …

The number of Americans filing for jobless claims hits highest level in a year
5 months, 1 week ago

The number of Americans filing for jobless claims hits highest level in a year

Associated Press  

The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits jumped to its highest level in a year last week, even as the labor market remains surprisingly healthy in an era of high interest rates. Jobless claims for the week ending July 27 climbed by 14,000 to 249,000, from 235,000 the previous week, the Labor Department reported Thursday. Weekly unemployment claims are …

The number of Americans applying for jobless benefits holds steady as labor market remains strong
8 months, 3 weeks ago

The number of Americans applying for jobless benefits holds steady as labor market remains strong

Associated Press  

The number of Americans filing for jobless benefits didn’t change last week as the labor market continues to defy efforts by the Federal Reserve to cool hiring. The Labor Department reported Thursday that unemployment claims for the week ending April 13 were unchanged from the previous week’s 212,000. Many economists thought there was a chance the rapid rate hikes could …

Number of Americans filing for jobless benefits remains low in a thriving labor market
9 months, 3 weeks ago

Number of Americans filing for jobless benefits remains low in a thriving labor market

Associated Press  

The number of Americans applying for jobless benefits last week inched up but largely stayed at historically low levels as the labor market continues to thrive despite elevated interest rates. The Labor Department reported Thursday that filings for unemployment claims for the week ending March 9 ticked down by 1,000 to 209,000 from the previous week’s 208,000. In total, 1.81 …

US applications for jobless benefits rise but labor market remains solid
1 year ago

US applications for jobless benefits rise but labor market remains solid

Associated Press  

More Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week, but not enough to raise concern about the labor market or broader economy. The Federal Reserve started raising interest rates early last year to try to beat down the inflation that surged after an unusually strong economic rebound from the COVID-19 recession of 2020. The Fed has left rates alone at its …

Applications for jobless benefits up modestly, but continuing claims reach highest level in 2 years
1 year, 1 month ago

Applications for jobless benefits up modestly, but continuing claims reach highest level in 2 years

Associated Press  

Slightly more Americans filed for jobless claims last week, but the overall number of people in the U.S. collecting unemployment benefits rose to its highest level in two years. Applications for unemployment benefits rose by 7,000 to 218,000 for the week ending Nov. 25, the Labor Department reported Thursday. The Federal Reserve has raised its benchmark interest rate 11 times …

US applications for jobless benefits inch down, remain at historically healthy levels
1 year, 2 months ago

US applications for jobless benefits inch down, remain at historically healthy levels

Associated Press  

Slightly fewer Americans applied for jobless claims last week, further indicating that the labor market remains strong in an era of high interest rates. Though Fed officials opted to leave the benchmark rate alone last week, the U.S. central bank has raised rates 11 times since March of 2022 in an effort to tame inflation, which reached a four-decade high …

US applications for jobless benefits inch up but layoffs remain historically low
1 year, 3 months ago

US applications for jobless benefits inch up but layoffs remain historically low

Associated Press  

Slightly more Americans applied for jobless claims last week, but layoffs remain low and the labor market continues to show resiliency amid elevated interest rates imposed by the Federal Reserve. Applications for unemployment benefits ticked up by 2,000 to 207,000 for the week ending Sept. 30, the Labor Department reported Thursday. Though the Federal Reserve opted to leave its benchmark …

US applications for jobless claims inch back down as companies hold on to their employees
1 year, 4 months ago

US applications for jobless claims inch back down as companies hold on to their employees

Associated Press  

U.S. applications for unemployment benefits fell slightly last week as companies held on to employees in an economy that has largely withstood rapidly rising interest rates, intended to cool hiring and spending, for more than a year. The number of Americans applying for jobless benefits last fell week by 4,000, to 228,000 the week ending August 26, the Labor Department …

Number of Americans applying for jobless aid rises, but not enough to cause concern
1 year, 5 months ago

Number of Americans applying for jobless aid rises, but not enough to cause concern

Associated Press  

The number of Americans applying for jobless benefits jumped last week, but not enough to raise concern about the consistently strong U.S. labor market. U.S. applications for unemployment benefits rose by 21,000 to 248,000 for the week ending August 5, from 227,000 the week before, the Labor Department reported Thursday. Last week, the Labor Department reported that U.S. employers added …

Number of Americans filing for jobless claims is elevated for second straight week
1 year, 6 months ago

Number of Americans filing for jobless claims is elevated for second straight week

Associated Press  

The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits remained elevated last week, a possible sign that the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hikes over the past year may taking hold in what’s proved to be a resilient job market. Americans have enjoyed unusual job security, despite the Federal Reserve’s aggressive campaign to cool the economy and labor market in its bid …

US applications for jobless benefits highest since October 2021
1 year, 7 months ago

US applications for jobless benefits highest since October 2021

Associated Press  

The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits last week rose to its highest level since October 2021, but the labor market remains one of the healthiest parts of the U.S. economy. The Labor Department reported Thursday that U.S. applications for jobless claims were 261,000 for the week ending June 3, an increase of 28,000 from the previous week’s 233,000. …

US claims for unemployment aid jump, but remain low
1 year, 8 months ago

US claims for unemployment aid jump, but remain low

Associated Press  

The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits jumped last week but remain low overall, even as the Federal Reserve has furiously raised interest rates to beat down inflation and cool the labor market. Another sign that the labor market may be cooling came Tuesday when the government reported that U.S. job openings fell in March to the lowest level …

Slightly fewer Americans apply for jobless aid last week
2 years, 2 months ago

Slightly fewer Americans apply for jobless aid last week

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Applications for jobless benefits fell slightly last week with the U.S. job market remaining resilient in the face of rising interest rates and persistent inflation. Unemployment claims for the week ending Oct. 29 fell by 1,000 to 217,000 from 218,000 the previous week, the Labor Department reported Thursday. In September, American employers slowed their hiring but still added …

Fewer Americans apply for jobless benefits last week
2 years, 2 months ago

Fewer Americans apply for jobless benefits last week

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell last week and remains historically low even as the U.S. economy slows in the midst of decades-high inflation. The government reported last week that inflation in the United States accelerated in September, with the cost of housing and other necessities intensifying pressure on families and businesses. Fed officials have …

U.S. applications for jobless aid rise last week
2 years, 2 months ago

U.S. applications for jobless aid rise last week

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose slightly last week but remains historically low even as the U.S. economy slows in the midst of decades-high inflation. Fed officials have warned that the unemployment rate will likely have to rise as part of their fight against rising prices, and last week’s jobs report likely snuffed out any …

More Americans apply for jobless aid last week
2 years, 3 months ago

More Americans apply for jobless aid last week

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The number of Americans filing for jobless benefits rose slightly last week with the Federal Reserve pushing hard to cool the economy and tamp down inflation. Fed officials have pointed to the remarkably resilient U.S. labor market as added justification for raising rates five times this year, including three 75-basis point hikes in a row. The Fed’s move …

Fewer Americans claim jobless benefits last week
2 years, 4 months ago

Fewer Americans claim jobless benefits last week

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Fewer Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week as the labor market continues to stand out as one of the strongest segments of the U.S. economy. Applications for jobless aid for the week ending Aug. 20 fell by 2,000 to 243,000, the Labor Department reported Thursday. The number of Americans collecting traditional unemployment benefits fell by 19,000 …

US unemployment claims rise by 14,000 to 262,000
2 years, 4 months ago

US unemployment claims rise by 14,000 to 262,000

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The number of Americans who signed up for unemployment benefits rose last week to the highest level since November, though the U.S. job market continues to show signs of strength. Applications for jobless aid climbed by 14,000 to 262,000 and now have risen five out of the last six weeks, the Labor Department reported Thursday. The number of …

Americans filing jobless claims at highest level in 8 months
2 years, 5 months ago

Americans filing jobless claims at highest level in 8 months

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits last week rose to the highest level in more than eight months in what may be a sign that the labor market is weakening. Applications for jobless aid for the week ending July 16 rose by 7,000 to 251,000, up from the previous week’s 244,000, the Labor Department reported Thursday. …

Americans filing jobless claims at highest level in 8 months
2 years, 5 months ago

Americans filing jobless claims at highest level in 8 months

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The number of Americans applying …

Fewer Americans apply for jobless aid last week
2 years, 6 months ago

Fewer Americans apply for jobless aid last week

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Fewer Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week as the U.S. job market remains strong in the face of rising inflation and interest rates. Applications for jobless aid fell by 3,000 to 229,000 for the week ending June 11, down from the previous week’s 232,000, the Labor Department reported Thursday. The Labor Department reported last week that consumer …

More Americans apply for jobless benefits last week
2 years, 7 months ago

More Americans apply for jobless benefits last week

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — More Americans applied for jobless aid last week, but the total number of Americans collecting unemployment remains at a five-decade low. The total number of Americans collecting jobless benefits for the week ending May 28 remained unchanged from the previous week at 1,306,000, the fewest since Jan. 10, 1970. Last week, the government reported that U.S. employers added …

Fewer Americans apply for unemployment benefits last week
2 years, 7 months ago

Fewer Americans apply for unemployment benefits last week

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Fewer Americans applied for jobless aid last week with the number of Americans collecting unemployment at historically low levels. The total number of Americans collecting jobless benefits for the week ending May 21 fell from the previous week, to 1,309,000, the fewest since Dec. 27, 1969. Last month, the government reported America’s employers added 428,000 jobs in April, …

Fewer Americans apply for jobless benefits last week
2 years, 7 months ago

Fewer Americans apply for jobless benefits last week

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Fewer Americans applied for jobless aid last week with the number of Americans collecting unemployment benefits already near five-decade lows. Applications for unemployment benefits fell by 8,000 to 210,000 for the week ending May 21, the Labor Department reported Thursday. The total number of Americans collecting jobless benefits for the week ending May 14 rose slightly from the …

Slightly more Americans seek jobless aid last week
2 years, 7 months ago

Slightly more Americans seek jobless aid last week

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The number of Americans applying for jobless aid ticked up slightly last week but the total number of Americans collecting benefits remained at its lowest level in more than five decades. Last week, the government reported America’s employers added 428,000 jobs in April, leaving the unemployment rate at 3.6%, just above the lowest level in a half-century. Last …

More Americans apply for jobless aid last week
2 years, 8 months ago

More Americans apply for jobless aid last week

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — More Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week but the total number of people collecting jobless aid is at its lowest level in more than 50 years. On Tuesday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that U.S. employers posted a record 11.5 million job openings in March — an unprecedented two job openings for every person who is …

Fewer Americans file for jobless claims last week
2 years, 8 months ago

Fewer Americans file for jobless claims last week

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell again last week with numbers still at historically low levels. Jobless claims in the U.S. declined by 5,000 to 180,000 for the week ending April 23, the Labor Department reported Thursday. The total number of Americans collecting jobless benefits for the week ending April 16 inched down by 1,000 …

Fewest Americans collecting jobless aid since 1970
2 years, 8 months ago

Fewest Americans collecting jobless aid since 1970

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Applications for unemployment benefits inched down last week as the total number of Americans collecting aid fell to its lowest level in more than 50 years. About 1.42 million Americans were collecting traditional unemployment benefits in the week of April 9, the fewest since February 21, 1970. Two years after the coronavirus pandemic plunged the economy into a …

Fewer Americans file for jobless claims last week
2 years, 9 months ago

Fewer Americans file for jobless claims last week

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Fewer Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week as layoffs continue to fall amid a strong job market rebound. Jobless claims fell by 15,000 to 214,000 for the week ending March 12, down from the previous week’s 229,000, the Labor Department reported Thursday. The Federal Reserve launched a high-risk effort Wednesday to tame the worst inflation since the …

Fewer Americans apply for jobless benefits last week
2 years, 10 months ago

Fewer Americans apply for jobless benefits last week

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Fewer Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week reflecting a low number of layoffs across the economy. In total, 1,476,000 Americans were collecting jobless aid the week that ended Feb. 12, a small uptick of 2,000 from the previous week’s revised number, which was its lowest level since March 14, 1970. Analysts surveyed by the financial data firm …

Fewest Americans collecting unemployment aid since 1970
2 years, 10 months ago

Fewest Americans collecting unemployment aid since 1970

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The number of Americans collecting unemployment benefits fell to a 52-year low after another decline in jobless aid applications last week. Jobless claims fell by 17,000, from 249,000 to 232,000 for the week ending Feb. 19, the Labor Department reported Thursday. In total, 1,476,000 Americans were collecting jobless aid the week that ended Feb. 5, a decrease of …

Jobless claims fall again for third straight week
2 years, 11 months ago

Jobless claims fall again for third straight week

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits declined for the third straight week. Jobless claims fell by 16,000 to 223,000 last week, from 239,000 the previous week, the Labor Department reported Thursday. The four-week average for claims, which compensates for weekly volatility, declined by 2,000 to 253,250 after rising for five straight weeks as the omicron variant …

Jobless claims fall for second straight week
2 years, 11 months ago

Jobless claims fall for second straight week

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — After three consecutive weeks of unemployment claims that appeared to rise in tandem with omicron, fewer Americans applied for unemployment benefits for the second week in a row. Jobless claims fell by 23,000 to 238,000 last week, from 261,000 the previous week, the Labor Department reported Thursday. Jobless claims, a proxy for layoffs, had fallen mostly steadily for …

US jobless claims hit 52-year low after seasonal adjustments
3 years, 1 month ago

US jobless claims hit 52-year low after seasonal adjustments

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits plummeted last week to the lowest level in more than half a century, another sign that the U.S. job market is rebounding rapidly from last year’s coronavirus recession. The four-week average of claims, which smooths out weekly ups and downs, also dropped — by 21,000 to just over 252,000, the …

Jobless Americans will have few options as benefits expire
3 years, 4 months ago

Jobless Americans will have few options as benefits expire

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Millions of jobless Americans lost their unemployment benefits on Monday, leaving only a handful of economic support programs for those who are still being hit financially by the year-and-a-half-old coronavirus pandemic. “The end of the pandemic unemployment benefits will be an abrupt jolt to millions of Americans who won’t find a job in time for this arbitrary …

After A Year Of Crisis, Reforming The Unemployment System Isn’t On The Agenda
3 years, 6 months ago

After A Year Of Crisis, Reforming The Unemployment System Isn’t On The Agenda

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING Come September, millions of unemployed Americans will stop getting financial help from the federal government — and Democrats don’t really have a plan to do anything about it. Ron Wyden and Michael Bennet announced legislation in April that would set minimum federal standards for unemployment benefits nationwide and ensure that extra aid kicks in when unemployment levels …

US jobless claims tick down to 411,000 as economy heals
3 years, 6 months ago

US jobless claims tick down to 411,000 as economy heals

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits dropped last week, a sign that layoffs declined and the job market is improving. With many employers desperate to hire, some states are starting to cut off pandemic-related unemployment aid programs in response to business complaints that the assistance is making it harder for them to find workers. Starting this …

Republican Governors Cutting Federal Unemployment Benefits For 4 Million
3 years, 7 months ago

Republican Governors Cutting Federal Unemployment Benefits For 4 Million

Huff Post  

Four million workers will start losing unemployment benefits next month as Republican governors opt out of federal benefit programs enacted in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Sarah Brown of Brownsburg, Indiana, gets $469 per week ― $169 in federal long-term benefits for workers who’ve exhausted their state benefits, plus the extra $300. “I don’t care if it’s full time or …

US jobless claims fall again as some states end federal aid
3 years, 7 months ago

US jobless claims fall again as some states end federal aid

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Fewer Americans sought unemployment benefits last week — the latest encouraging sign for the rebounding U.S. economy — just as Republican-led states are moving to cut off a federal benefit for the jobless. “Today’s data indicates that unemployment aid is not keeping workers on the sidelines,” said Andrew Stettner, a senior fellow at The Century Foundation. “Emergency unemployment …

US Unemployment Claims Decline to 444,000, a New Pandemic Low
3 years, 7 months ago

US Unemployment Claims Decline to 444,000, a New Pandemic Low

News 18  

The number of Americans seeking unemployment aid fell last week to 444,000, a new pandemic low and a sign that the job market keeps strengthening as consumers spend freely again, viral infections drop and business restrictions ease. The data release coincides with rapid moves by nearly all the nation's Republican governors to cut off a $300-a-week federal unemployment benefit that …

U.S. Jobless Claims Decline To 444,000, A New Pandemic Low
3 years, 7 months ago

U.S. Jobless Claims Decline To 444,000, A New Pandemic Low

Huff Post  

WASHINGTON — The number of Americans seeking unemployment aid fell last week to 444,000, a new pandemic low and a sign that the job market keeps strengthening as consumers spend freely again, viral infections drop and business restrictions ease. The data release coincides with rapid moves by nearly all the nation’s Republican governors to cut off a $300-a-week federal unemployment …

Over a dozen GOP governors plan to snatch back unemployment insurance early
3 years, 7 months ago

Over a dozen GOP governors plan to snatch back unemployment insurance early

Salon  

An increasing number of Republican-led states are calling an end to unemployment insurance in an effort to bolster employment, despite lacking any clear evidence that the federal benefits are causing what much of the business sector has said is a "labor shortage." "Incentives matter, and the vast expansion of federal unemployment benefits is now doing more harm than good," Gianforte …

Jobless claims drop 13,000 to 553,000 as economy heals
3 years, 8 months ago

Jobless claims drop 13,000 to 553,000 as economy heals

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits dropped by 13,000 last week to 553,000, the lowest level since the pandemic hit last March and another sign the economy is recovering from the coronavirus recession. Nearly 3.7 million people were receiving traditional state unemployment benefits the week of April 17. “We expect further declines in filings as businesses …

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