Employers need to take a close look at the unemployment tax-rate notice they have received from the state Department of Labor and Industry.
The notices are typically mailed out in December, but this year they were sent out in late February and early March. According to the department's website, some employers who should not have received a delinquency rate received one in error.
The department also said some quarterly reports for the second quarter of 2011 were mailed with an incorrect rate and in most cases, it was the previous year's rate. Some reports and payments received on time were marked late and assessed interest.
Local certified public accountants are aware of the problem.
"It was just a glitch in the system," said Brian McCaulley of Young Oakes Brown and Co., Altoona.
John Ramsey, a certified public accountant from Tyrone, called the problem a "pain" and said employers need to get the problem corrected.
"When the employer gets his rate notice, he needs to look at it to make sure it is correct. You should have the same rate for all four quarters. If it says something different, it is time to look into it," Ramsey said.
The department is advising employers to hold off on filing a rate appeal until April.
"We are working to self-correct many of the issues. Employers are provided 90 days from the date of the rate notice to submit a rate appeal. If a revised rate notice is not received before April, then contact our Employer Helpline or submit a rate appeal," Deputy Secretary of Unemployment Compensation Gregg Shore said. "For those employers who would prefer an immediate response regarding their contribution rate, please contact the Employer Helpline."
The helpline number is 866-403-6163.
Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 946-7467.
