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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Tammy Cavender (573)
751-7500
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 14, 2006
Missouri’s Unemployment Insurance Program Collects Over $4.7 Million in
Delinquent Taxes, Penalties and Overpayments
Jefferson City, MO – The Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations’ Division of Employment Security today announced $4,712,393 was collected in unemployment insurance (UI) delinquent taxes, penalties, interest and benefit overpayments from employers and claimants in November 2006.
“UI benefits are paid to those claimants meeting all eligibility criteria and the benefits are financed by the timely reporting and payment of employer taxes,” said Rod Chapel, director of the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. “The Division has a fundamental role in protecting the integrity of the UI system for Missouri’s employers and claimants by collecting delinquent taxes, overpaid benefits, and the associated penalties.”
The Division of Employment Security investigates individuals that have allegedly received improper unemployment benefits. The most common reasons for improper payment are the collection of UI benefits after returning to work or concealing information on the weekly claim that would have made them ineligible for benefits. In November 2006, the Division collected $839,352 in restitution for overpaid benefits and monetary penalties from claimants.
In addition to overpaid benefits and investigating claimant fraud, the Division also collects unemployment insurance delinquent taxes, penalties and interest from employers. Penalties are imposed if an employer fails to file any required report by the specified due date. Interest accrues on contributions that are due and unpaid after each quarterly due date. In November, the Division collected $3,873,041 in delinquent taxes, penalties and interest from employers.
The Division of Employment Security investigates individuals and employers who file fraudulent claims or fail to pay their unemployment taxes because such actions raise employer taxes and reduce the fund that is used for paying UI benefits.
For more information regarding the Division of Employment Security or to report potential unemployment insurance fraud, call (573) 751 – 3215 or visit www.dolir.mo.gov/es.
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Information and Planning · 421 East Dunklin
· P.O. Box 504 · Jefferson City, MO
65102-0504
573-751-7500 · 573-751-6552 (Fax)
Relay Missouri: 1-800-735-2966 (TDD) 1-800-735-2466 (Voice)