What percentage of the first $8500 in wages does Georgia require the employer to pay in unemployment taxes?

In Georgia, the employer is required to pay unemployment taxes on the first $8,500 of an employee's wages at a rate of 2.7%. This rate is part of the state's unemployment insurance program designed to fund unemployment benefits for workers who may become unemployed through no fault of their own. The $8,500 wage base means that only the earnings up to that amount are subject to this specific unemployment tax rate.

This percentage reflects the state's approach to balancing the need for funding unemployment benefits while considering the financial impact on employers. The selected rate of 2.7% strikes a balance between providing sufficient resources for the unemployment insurance fund and minimizing the tax burden on employers. Understanding this helps in budgeting for labor costs and complying with state tax regulations.