The Washington Employment Security Department announced recently that the 2023 WA PFML total premium rate will increase to 0.8% of employees’ gross wages up to the 2023 Social Security cap of $160,200 in 2023. The new rate is an increase from the current rate of 0.6% capped at the Social Security cap of $147,000 in 2022. The new rate will become effective on January 1, 2023.
The total contribution of 0.8% is split between employers and employees depending on the size of an employer. Employers with 50 or more employees working in the state of Washington will contribute up to 27.24% of 0.8%, and their Washington state employees will pay 72.76% of 0.8%. Employers with fewer than 50 employees working in the state of Washington are not required to contribute the employer portion of the premium. However, they must still withhold the employee premium or pay the employees’ premiums on their behalf.
The rate increase is due to higher usage of the PFML program. Employers with at least one employee working in the state of Washington should notify their employee(s) who work in Washington regarding the new 2023 rate and coordinate with their payroll vendors to update the new rate to be applied on January 1, 2023. (Employers are not allowed to retroactively withhold premiums from employees.) The 2023 first-quarter premium remittance and reporting are due by the end of April 2023.
Washington PFML provides medical and family leave for eligible employees. For additional information, please refer to the state’s dedicated PFML site.
WA PFML 2023 Updates »
PPI Benefit Solutions does not provide legal or tax advice. Compliance, regulatory and related content is for general informational purposes and is not guaranteed to be accurate or complete. You should consult an attorney or tax professional regarding the application or potential implications of laws, regulations or policies to your specific circumstances.
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