Michigan Employer Advisor: July 2023

Greetings, Employers!

It’s mid-summer already, how time seems to fly. I hope many of you have been able to enjoy a Pure Michigan vacation or have one booked for you and your family for later this year.

I want to thank everyone who filed their 2nd Quarter wage and tax reports by the July 25 deadline. If you have not done so, please log into MiWAM and submit your report. If reports are not filed on time that could result in penalties and interest assessed to your account. In this month’s Advisor, we provide a link to a video that has a step-by-step guide to the easy online process of filing reports.

Also in this edition you’ll find details about three ways your UI payments can be applied to your tax obligations. Be sure to watch a video of UIA Director Julia Dale’s comments to the Michigan Manufacturer’s Association. We are also including a reminder that employers now must change MiWAM account passwords every 90 days.

Finally, we’ve had strong interest and attendance in our renewed Employer Seminars. Another one is coming up in August, so see the sign-up details below.

If you want to suggest an article or topic for a future edition of the Employer Advisor newsletter, or just want to tell us how much you enjoy reading it, please send a message to UIA-EmployerAdvisor@Michigan.gov. You can find past newsletters on the Employer Homepage at Michigan.gov/UIA.

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Three Ways Employers Can Apply UI Tax Payments to Their Accounts

Need to make a payment?

The Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) offers two convenient options for employers to make payments: By check or via the MiWAM portal.

Whichever method you choose, payments can be considered voluntary, report, or loose.

Each of these payment types are applied to the UIA account differently:

• A Voluntary Payment is a payment received for the reserve balance.
• A Report Payment is one received for a designated quarter as payment of unemployment tax, penalty, and/or interest.
• A Loose Payment is received without a designated quarter for unemployment tax, penalty, and/or interest. This payment is applied to the oldest collectible quarter with an outstanding balance.

If mailing a payment, make the certified check or money order payable to the State of Michigan-UIA. The mailing address is:

State of Michigan-UIA
PO Box 33598
Detroit, Michigan 48232-5598

On your check, be sure to include your employer account number (EAN) in the memo field and indicate the type of payment, whether voluntary, report, or loose. Don't forget to download a Quarterly Tax Payment coupon.

Direct any questions to the Office of Employer Ombudsman (OEO) through your MIWAM account at www.Michigan.gov/UIA or call 1-855-484-2636.

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MiWAM Password Update Strengthens Protections for Employer Accounts

As part of the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency’s (UIA) continual focus on fighting fraud, an important policy has been updated for employers. Passwords on MiWAM accounts now must be reset every 90 days.

The policy update is designed to better protect confidential information and the integrity of employers’ Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM) accounts.

Employers are urged to inform anyone who can access their account, such as third-party administrators, about the policy update. Previously, account passwords were required to reset every 180 days. 

If an account password has expired, the UIA’s computer system will automatically redirect the user to a screen where they can select a new password.  Employers can also change their account password at any time.

Follow these five easy steps:

1. Log into MiWAM.
2. Click on Settings.
3. Click on Profile.
4. Click on change password.
5. Type in a new password following the rules listed on the page.

Watch this video for information about how to change a password.

UIA Director Julia Dale has made fighting fraud a cornerstone of her efforts to transform the agency into a national leader in fast, fair, and fraud-free service. The password policy update is one of many robust safeguards the agency has in place to combat fraud, including:

• Naming a Legal Advisor and establishing a new Legal and Compliance Bureau.
• Collaborating with the Attorney General’s office as well as local, state and federal law enforcement to bring bad actors to justice and combat fraud at the agency.
• Implementing new ethics and security policies for employees and contractors.
• Planning the rollout of a new computer system to replace the decade-old MiWAM system. Deloitte’s uFACTS will build on the agency’s aggressive anti-fraud practices.

The UIA also has won four national honors from the U.S. Department of Labor since 2019 for its anti-fraud efforts.

To date, through the diligent work of UIA investigators and in partnership with prosecutors, 116 individuals have been charged with unemployment insurance fraud, nearly 50 convicted, and about 40 sentenced for their roles in stealing funds intended for workers who lost a job through no fault of their own.  

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Join the Next Employer Seminar Aug. 3

Did you miss the July Employer Seminar? Don't worry; another one is scheduled for August 3.

The Office of Employer Ombudsman hosts the Employer Seminars to discuss unemployment insurance topics ranging from navigating the Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM) to Benefit Claims to appeals. We’ll also provide additional, helpful resources.

In just two months, UIA’s seminars have helped nearly 100 employers by providing helpful information and answering pressing questions. To get caught up, watch a video recording of July's seminar.  

If you are a new business, have new staff coming on or just want a refresher, please email UIA-EmployerAdvisor@Michigan.gov to register for the August Employer Seminar. 

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UIA Director Speaks to Manufacturers Association about Agency Reforms

UIA Director Julia Dale participated in a webinar this month with the Michigan Manufacturers Association's Employment to Workforce Policy Committee to talk about reforms and modernization efforts at the agency.

Among the topics Director Dale discussed:

Her empathetic approach to leadership: “I believe that means listening to Michigan employers and industry leaders, as well as their workforce, understanding their needs and concerns, and taking a people-first approach that delivers concrete, measurable results.”

UIA support for business: “UIA worked to administer the federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit to support Michigan businesses. Employers can apply online to receive a tax credit of up to $9,600 that is available for each worker employed from labor pools that have long been underserved, including veterans, returning citizens, persons who qualify for social programs, and more.”

Replacing UIA’s old computer technology: “A new system will not only be more user-focused but will allow the agency to easily access data and implement changes swiftly and as needed." "Michigan employers should be able to pay taxes and file reports seamlessly without delay or complications.”

Going after bad actors: “UIA has worked closely with the state Attorney General’s office, federal prosecutors, and local law enforcement to bring charges against over 100 people accused of stealing money."  "Whether the accused worked for the UIA or filed a fraudulent claim using a stolen identity, bad actors were – and will continue to be – brought to justice.”

Watch the Open Conversation.

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Video Explains Filing Quarterly Reports

Filing your quarterly wage and tax report can be quick and easy.

That fastest way to file is through your MiWAM account; please do not mail in a paper copy of the report. Filing online is a statutory requirement and speeds processing by the UIA.

Watch this video that explains the importance of filing your quarterly report, what information is needed, and the key dates you don’t want to miss.

File your quarterly reports by April 25, July 25, October 25, and January 25.

Don’t forget to peruse UIA’s library of helpful YouTube videos on the employer playlist.