As a nonprofit employer in New Mexico, unemployment insurance can feel like a fixed cost. Something that just shows up on a bill and gets paid. But 501(c)(3) organizations have options that often go unexplored, and small decisions can add up to meaningful savings.
New Mexico’s taxable wage base climbed to $34,800 in 2026, up from $33,200 the year before, meaning the pool of wages subject to quarterly contributions keeps growing. But the more pressing issue for many organizations is the rate itself. New Mexico’s standard tax rate tops out at 5.4% and for employers whose calculated rate exceeds that ceiling, the state adds an excess claims premium of up to 1%, pushing the effective maximum to 6.4%. For any nonprofit with a difficult claims history, that surcharge is a direct signal that the tax-paying side of the system may no longer be the right fit. The reimbursing option exists to address exactly that, and it’s a choice many organizations either don’t know they have or haven’t revisited in years.
In this session, we’ll cut through the complexity and give you a straightforward look at how the system works, where the real cost drivers are, and what your organization can do about them. We’ll cover the reimbursing option specifically, including what it is, who it works well for, and when it doesn’t make sense. This session is designed for Executive Directors, CFOs, Controllers, and HR Directors who want practical information they can actually use.
By the end of this 30-minute session, you will have:
- A clearer picture of what’s driving your unemployment costs
- A working understanding of all options available to 501(c)(3) organizations, including reimbursing
- Concrete steps for becoming a more proactive manager of your unemployment insurance
Speaker: Jenessa Ponco, Unemployment Consultant, 501(c) Services
This webinar is provided as general advice and information, and should not be construed as legal advice. Neither 501(c) Agencies Trust nor 501(c) Insurance Programs, Inc. (collectively 501) guarantees that the information herein is complete or correct, and 501 disclaims all liability with respect to actions taken or not taken based on the contents of this webinar or information given verbally or in written form. Please consult licensed legal counsel in the viewer’s state.
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