New York State Department of Labor Unemployment Insurance

Interest Assessment Surcharge (IAS) in 2012

Important Notice to Employers

The national recession has led to record levels of unemployed workers receiving unemployment insurance benefits. As a result, New York State has borrowed over $4 billion from the federal Unemployment Insurance (UI) Trust Fund since 2009. New York had to pay almost $102 million in interest on these loans to the federal government by September 30, 2012. In order to pay the interest on these federal loans, New York State is required by law to assess a temporary charge on employers, called an Interest Assessment Surcharge (IAS). The IAS rate for 2012 was 0.15 percent.

Each employer's surcharge amount was determined by multiplying the total wages subject to contribution in the most recently completed payroll year (October 1, 2010 to September 30, 2011) by the IAS rate of 0.15 percent. The maximum amount that most employers were assessed was $12.75 per employee.

If you have any questions, please call the Employer Accounts Adjustment Section of the UI Division at 1-888-899-8810.

Also see Frequently Asked Questions about the Interest Assessment Surcharge.