Properly Report Earnings

Did you know failure to properly report earnings may result in prosecution in federal and/or state courts?

Below are some very important questions and answers from Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES) to help you understand your responsibilities concerning your benefits and calculating these earnings to keep you in compliance.

What are gross earnings and when do they start?

Gross earnings are what you earn before any tax deductions.

Each week starts at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday and ends at midnight on the following Saturday. Your weekly certification should be filed timely, as soon as possible, after the Saturday week-ending date. The Unemployment Insurance System (UI System) will only accept the most recently completed calendar week.

When do I report my gross earnings?

You must report your gross earnings the week you perform the work. Do not wait until you receive payment to report these earnings.

Remember, to only report your gross wages for the physical (actual) hours worked within the dates in question for the week you're filing. When you get paid is not relevant.

When do I file, if I work Part-Time?

1. If you work part-time, you may continue filing your weekly certifications, but you must report all gross earnings before deductions.

2. Earnings from part-time work should be reported during the week earned, not necessarily the week you are paid for the work. Any earnings over $40 will be deducted from your weekly benefit amount.

3. You must notify MDES and report all pension and/or retirement pay received. Your benefits may be reduced by pensions contributed to by your base period employers (excluding Social Security).

What about returning to work Full-Time?

If you return to work full-time, you must advise MDES of the date you returned to work. Do not wait until you receive your first paycheck.

Important facts to remember when reporting your earnings

1. Remember “ONLY” report your total gross wages that you physically worked that week. Report all of your earnings.

2. Report all of your earnings.

3. These earnings include: part-time, temporary work, and/or self-employment.

Exclude the following forms of payment from the gross earnings being reported, such as:

Bonus, holiday, vacation, severance pay, loans, cash advances, and retroactive earnings.

I am Self-Employed. How do I report?

Self-Employed individuals are required to report gross earnings from all sources earned each week. Exclusions that should not be reported as part of your gross earnings are listed above.

How to do your calculations:

In order to determine what you earned, take the total number of hours worked for the week in question and multiply that times your rate of pay.

An example of how to determine your earnings is shown below:
If you only worked 12 hours for the week, and your rate of pay is $10 an hour, you should report your total gross wages earned for the week, which will be: $120.00.

Anyone making a false statement or withholding facts to increase or obtain benefits to which he is not entitled is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by fine or imprisonment, or both.