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Learn about employer contributions to DUA

Contributions to the Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) are due 30 days after the end of every quarter. Learn about what employer contributions are due and how they are calculated.

Table of Contents

Overview

Each quarter, all employers subject to Massachusetts unemployment law must pay contributions to the Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA). Once you submit your quarterly employment and wage detail report, UI Online will calculate your quarterly amount due for the following contributions:

  • Unemployment insurance (UI) contributions
  • Employer Medical Assistance Contribution (EMAC)/Unemployment Health Insurance (UHI)
  • Employer Medical Assistance Contribution (EMAC) Supplement
  • Workforce Training Fund (WTF)

Unemployment insurance (UI) contributions

Unemployment insurance (UI) contributions are used to fund the unemployment insurance program in Massachusetts. Subject employers are required by law to make quarterly UI contributions to the state UI Trust Fund.

Contribution rate

For more information about current contribution rates, learn about unemployment insurance (UI) contributions.

Employer Medical Assistance Contribution (EMAC)

The Employer Medical Assistance Contribution (EMAC) is used to help fund health insurance programs in the Commonwealth. Each employer subject to unemployment insurance is also subject to EMAC reporting requirements. This includes those employers who are in the reimbursable system.

Contribution rate

For more information about EMAC reporting requirements and current contribution rates, learn about the Employer Medical Assistance Contribution (EMAC).

Employer Medical Assistance Contribution (EMAC) Supplement

The EMAC Supplement applies to employers with more than five employees in Massachusetts, whose non-disabled employees obtain health insurance either from:

  • MassHealth (excluding employees with MassHealth coverage as a secondary payer)1, or
  • Subsidized coverage through the Massachusetts ConnectorCare program

The non-disabled employee must be enrolled in MassHealth (excluding employees with MassHealth coverage as a secondary payer) or subsidized coverage through the Massachusetts ConnectorCare program for more than eight weeks during the quarter.

Contribution rate

For more information about EMAC Supplement reporting requirements and current contribution rates, learn about the Employer Medical Assistance Contribution (EMAC) Supplement.

1 Employees may have MassHealth coverage as a secondary payer because they are enrolled in other primary coverage such as employer-sponsored insurance (including but not limited to those enrolled in premium assistance) or Medicare.

Workforce Training Fund Program (WTFP)

The Workforce Training Fund Program provides training grants to Massachusetts businesses for incumbent worker training.

Contribution rate

Employers are subject to a 0.056% contribution rate in 2020. All employers contribute to the fund at the same rate.

Voluntary contributions

Eligible Massachusetts employers may choose to make additional voluntary contributions in order to lower their experience rating and reduce their UI contributions for the forthcoming year.

For more detailed information about voluntary contributions, please refer to the voluntary contributions to DUA webpage.

Deferrals

Eligible employers may defer up to 34% of regular UI contributions owed in Quarter 1 and Quarter 2. For more detailed information about the deferral option, please refer to the deferral of unemployment insurance (UI) contributions webpage.

Interest charges

Interest will accrue on unpaid principal balance at the rate of 12% per year from the quarter due date until fully paid.

To avoid interest and penalties, we encourage you to pay all contributions owed in full by the quarter due dates below:

Quarter Due Date
Quarter 1 3 p.m. on April 30
Quarter 2 3 p.m. on July 31
Quarter 3 3 p.m. on Oct. 31
Quarter 4 3 p.m. on Jan. 31

Additional Resources

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