State of Alaska > DOLWD > News Releases

January 14, 2005
No. 05-44

Alaska workers may be eligible
for unemployment tax refunds

JUNEAU – Labor Commissioner Greg O’Claray today announced that some Alaska workers may be eligible for unemployment tax refunds if they worked for more than one employer last year.

“An employee who worked for more than one employer in 2004 may be eligible for a refund,” said O’Claray. “Workers who had more than $135.50 in unemployment taxes deducted for the year can apply to the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development for a refund of any overage.”

The commissioner said these taxes are usually designated as ‘ESC,’ ‘ESD,’ ‘UI,’ or ‘SUI’ on an employee’s W-2 form. The labor department’s Employment Security Division collects taxes for the unemployment insurance program.

Alaska is one of only three states where both the employer and the worker contribute to the fund from which unemployment benefits are paid. State statutes provide for a refund to any worker who contributes in excess of $135.50, the per-employee annual contribution maximum.

Forms to apply for a refund are available from the Employment Security Tax Office in Juneau at 907.465.2757, tollfree at 1.888.448.3527 or by a mailed request to: Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Employment Security Tax Office, P.O. Box 115509, Juneau, AK 99811-5509.

Refund form requests may also be emailed to esd_tax@labor.state.ak.us or downloaded from the department’s web site at http://www.labor.state.ak.us/estax/forms/toc_forms.htm .

Requests for refunds must be made by December 31, 2005.

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News Media Contacts:
Employment Security Tax Office, tollfree 1.888.448.3527 or
Joe Holbert, Special Assistant/Communications, 907-465-5673