Karlson Software Company is located in State H, which enables employers to reduce their contribution rates under the experience-rating system. From 2009 to 2018, inclusive, the company's total contributions to state unemployment compensation amounted to $14,710. For the calendar years 2019 to 2022, inclusive, the contribution rate for the Karlson Company was 2.7%.

The contributions of each employer are credited to an account maintained by the State Unemployment Compensation Commission. This account is credited with contributions paid into the account by the employer and is charged with unemployment benefits that are paid from the account. Starting January 1, 2023, the contribution rate for all employers in State H will be based on the following tax rate schedule:

Reserve Ratio	Contribution Rate
Contributions falling below benefits paid	7.0%
0.0% to 7.9%	5.5%
8.0% to 9.9%	4.5%
10.0% to 11.9%	3.5%
12.0% to 14.9%	2.5%
15.0% or more	1.5%

The annual payroll for calculation purposes is the total wages payable during a 12-month period ending with the last day of the third quarter of any calendar year. The average annual payroll is the average of the last three annual payrolls. The SUTA tax rate for the year is computed using the information available (benefits received and taxes paid) as of September 30 of the preceding year.

The schedule below shows the total payroll and the taxable payroll for the calendar years 2019 to 2022.

	Calendar Year
	2019	2020	2021	2022
	Total Payroll	Taxable Payroll	Total Payroll	Taxable Payroll	Total Payroll	Taxable Payroll	Total Payroll	Taxable Payroll
First Quarter	$11,980	$11,980	$11,010	$11,010	$12,950	$12,950	$9,800	$9,800
Second Quarter	11,640	11,640	11,330	11,220	12,930	12,890	9,330	9,330
Third Quarter	12,490	12,250	12,690	12,320	12,080	11,900	9,340	9,340
Fourth Quarter	13,160	12,620	12,560	12,260	13,900	13,630

Unemployment benefits became payable to the company's qualified unemployed workers on January 1, 2009. Between that time and September 30, 2022, total benefits amounting to $14,386.10 were charged against the employer's account. Compute:

In your computations, round amounts to the nearest cent. Round your final percentage answers to one decimal place.

a. Contribution rate for 2023. fill in the blank 1 %

b. Rate for 2023 if $1,900 additional benefits had been charged by mistake to the account of Karlson Software Company by the State Unemployment Compensation. fill in the blank 2 %

Feedback Area

Feedback

a. Total amount of state contributions minus benefits paid = balance in reserve account. Take total annual payroll for past 3 years; divide by 3 years to attain average; take balance in reserve account divided by average annual payroll = Reserve ratio. Look at tax rate schedule for the corresponding Contribution Rate. (Hint: The annual payroll for calculation purposes is the total wages payable during a 12-month period ending with the last day of the third quarter of any calendar year. The average annual payroll is the average of the last three annual payrolls.) b. If additional benefits were charged, this would decrease the Balance in the Reserve Ratio; would increase the Contribution Rate.