Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 11 - LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS (§§ 11-1-201 — 11-15-105) › Chapter 10 - DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE SERVICES LAW (§§ 11-10-101 — 11-10-1018) › Subchapter 7 - CONTRIBUTIONS (§§ 11-10-701 — 11-10-723) › Section 11-10-705 - Future rates - Computation of contribution rates

(a)
(1)
Each employer's contribution rate beginning January 1 for each twelve-month period shall be determined on the basis of the employer's record through June 30 of the previous calendar year.
(2)
The record of an employer shall include, for the purpose of computing an employer's contribution rate, any payment, except a payment that represents an administrative assessment payment or a payment that represents an extended benefit tax payment, made by the employer on or before July 31 on wages paid by the employer on or before June 30 of the calendar year.
(b)
(1)
(A)
The contribution rate of an employer who has had three (3) or more years of benefit risk as defined at §
11-10-707
shall be that shown on the corresponding line that reflects the employer's reserve ratio in the contribution rate schedule which follows.
(B)
The reserve ratio in the following schedule is determined by dividing the difference in contributions paid and regular benefits charged by the annual taxable payroll:
CONTRIBUTION RATE
RESERVE RATIO
0.1%
9.95% or more
0.3%
9.35% but less than 9.95%
0.5%
8.85% but less than 9.35%
0.8%
8.65% but less than 8.85%
1.2%
8.35% but less than 8.65%
1.6%
7.95% but less than 8.35%
2.0%
7.35% but less than 7.95%
2.4%
6.75% but less than 7.35%
2.8%
5.45% but less than 6.75%
3.2%
2.45% but less than 5.45%
4.0%
1.35% but less than 2.45%
5.0%
Less than 1.35% with a positive reserve balance
6.0%
Less than 0.00%
(2)
[Repealed.]
(3)
(A)
Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, for any calendar year beginning on and after January 1, 2024, an employer that has been assigned a contribution rate of six percent (6%) under this chapter and that has had such a rate for the four (4) preceding calendar years will be assigned an additional contribution assessment of two percent (2%).
(B)
After four (4) consecutive years of being assessed an additional contribution of two percent (2%) under subdivision (b)(3)(A) of this section, this additional contribution assessment shall increase to four percent (4%).
(c)
(1)
(A)
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter and unless prohibited by §
11-10-723(c)(1)
, an employer that has been assigned a contribution rate pursuant to this chapter may make a voluntary payment to the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund Account, in addition to the contributions required pursuant to this chapter, to be credited to the employer's account.
(B)
The Director of the Division of Workforce Services shall provide to each eligible employer an annual notice of voluntary payment amounts that may be submitted to reduce the employer's contribution rate.
(2)
(A)
(i)
Voluntary payments to the fund account under subdivision (c)(1) of this section shall be made no later than March 31 of the calendar year for which the new contribution rate is effective.
(ii)
Upon receipt of a timely voluntary payment, the director shall compute a new contribution rate for the employer and provide notice to the employer of the new contribution rate.
(B)
Any adjustments made under §§
11-10-703
-
11-10-708
shall be used only in the form of credit against accrued or future contributions.
(C)
No refund shall ever be made to any employer of any voluntary payment so made.
Amended by Act 2023, No. 196,§ 6, eff. 3/6/2023.
Amended by Act 2023, No. 196,§ 5, eff. 3/6/2023.
Amended by Act 2023, No. 196,§ 4, eff. 3/6/2023.
Amended by Act 2019, No. 910,§ 287, eff. 7/1/2019.
Amended by Act 2015, No. 1153,§ 1, eff. 7/22/2015.
Amended by Act 2013, No. 1191,§ 1, eff. 8/16/2013.
Acts 1941, No. 391, § 7; 1947, No. 398, § 6; 1949, No. 155, § 10; 1953, No. 162, § 12; 1955, No. 395, § 23; 1959, No. 142, § 1A; 1963, No. 93, § 9; 1971, No. 35, §§ 11-13; 1981, No. 43, § 12; 1983, No. 482, § 27; A.S.A. 1947, § 81-1108; Acts 1989, No. 420, §§ 8, 9; 1991, No. 48, § 7; 1997, No. 234, § 23; 1999, No. 1055, § 1; 2001, No. 964, § 1; 2001, No. 1367, § 9; 2005, No. 902, § 9; 2007, No. 490, § 11.