Exam 3 - Chapters 5 & 6 Sparks Company's SUTA rate for next year is 3.25% because its reserve ratio falls into the state's 10% to less than 12% category [(contributions - benefits paid) average payroll = $414,867 $3,521,790 = 11.78%]. If the next bracket (12% to less than 14%) would give the company a lower tax rate of 3.05%, what would be the least amount of the voluntary contribution needed to qualify the company for the 3.05% SUTA tax rate