Chapter DWD 110

DWD 110.001(2) (2) Notwithstanding ch. DWD 100 and unless the context clearly indicates a different meaning, in this chapter “employer” means any person who is or becomes subject to the reimbursement financing or contribution requirements of ch. 108, Stats., including multiemployer benefit plans and other third party payors.

DWD 110.001 History History: Cr. Register, June, 1990, No. 414, eff. 7-1-90; emerg. renum. (5m) to (8), (16) and (17) to be (6) to (9), (15) and (16), renum. (9) and (15) to be ILHR 101.001 (4) and (9) and am. (9), r. and recr. (14), eff. 2-19-93; renum. (5m) to (8), (16) and (17) to be (6) to (9), (15) and 16., renum. (9) and (15) to be ILHR 101.001 (4) and (9) and am. (9), r. and recr. (14), Register, May, 1993, No. 449, eff. 6-1-93; r. (intro.), (3), (15) and (16), renum. (4), (6) and (9) to (14) to be 100.02 (18), (20), (22), (29), (39), (40), (42) and (57), renum. (1), (2), (7), (8) to be 100.02 (11), (14), (13) and (21) and am., renum. (5) to be (2) and am., cr. (1), Register, September, 1995, No. 477, eff. 10-1-95.

DWD 110.01 DWD 110.01 Purpose. This chapter requires employing units to maintain work records for individuals who perform services for them and to submit such records for the department’s inspection and submit and file other reports requested by the department to determine the employing unit’s status and contribution liability under ch. 108, Stats. The chapter specifies the department’s investigative powers and enumerates the dates by which certain records and reports are to be submitted to the department.

DWD 110.01 History History: Cr. Register, June, 1990, No. 414, eff. 7-1-90; emerg. renum. (1) to be ILHR 110.01, r. (2), eff. 2-19-93; renum. (1) to be ILHR 110.01, r. (2), Register, May, 1993, No. 449, eff. 6-1-93.

DWD 110.02 DWD 110.02 Required records to retain; retention periods; department’s investigative powers.

DWD 110.02(1) (1) Pursuant to s. 108.21, Stats., each employing unit shall maintain a true and accurate work record for every individual who performs services for that employing unit so that the department may determine the employing unit’s status and contribution liability under ch. 108, Stats.

DWD 110.02(2) (2) The work record shall include all of the following:

DWD 110.02(2)(a) (a) The full name, address and social security number of each individual who performs services for the employing unit.

DWD 110.02(2)(b) (b) The dates that each individual performed services.

DWD 110.02(2)(c) (c) The weekly wages earned by each individual who performed services.

DWD 110.02(2)(d) (d) The dates that the wages were paid to each individual.

DWD 110.02(3) (3) Under s. 108.21, Stats., the department may, at any reasonable time, inspect the work records and any other records of an employing unit, or any entity the department believes may be an employing unit, which may show payments for personal services.

DWD 110.02(4) (4) Each employing unit shall preserve the work records and any other records which may show payments for personal services for 6 years from the date on which each individual last performed services for the employing unit.

DWD 110.02 History History: Cr. Register, June, 1990, No. 414, eff. 7-1-90; CR 18-033: am. (2) (intro.), (a) to (d), (3) Register May 2019 No. 761, eff. 6-1-19.

DWD 110.03 DWD 110.03 Required records and reports to submit. Pursuant to ss. 108.14 and 108.21, Stats., each employing unit shall submit any work records and any other records and reports concerning the services performed by individuals for the employing unit which the department may request. The department may require the employing unit to make either verbal or written reports or both.

DWD 110.03 History History: Cr. Register, June, 1990, No. 414, eff. 7-1-90.

DWD 110.04 DWD 110.04 Conditions for coverage and liability; reporting requirements. Any employing unit which is not subject to the reimbursement financing or contribution provisions under ch. 108, Stats., becomes subject if the employing unit meets the coverage requirements under ch. 108, Stats. Any employing unit which meets the coverage requirements under ch. 108, Stats., shall notify the department and accurately and completely report its employment and wages so that the department may determine the employing unit’s status and contribution liability. The employing unit shall submit this report to the department within 30 days after meeting the coverage requirements under ch. 108, Stats.

DWD 110.04 History History: Cr. Register, June, 1990, No. 414, eff. 7-1-90.

DWD 110.05 DWD 110.05 Conditions for status as a nonprofit organization; reporting requirements. Except as further provided in this section, no employing unit may be considered to be a nonprofit organization eligible to apply for reimbursement financing until the date that the department receives a copy of the letter issued by the internal revenue service determining that the employing unit is exempt from taxation under section 501 (c) (3) of the internal revenue code. If an employing unit receives such a letter from the internal revenue service after the employing unit becomes an employer under s. 108.02 (13) (d) or (e), Stats., the department shall consider the employing unit to be a nonprofit organization beginning on January 1 of the year after the year in which the internal revenue service issues the letter. The department shall consider the employing unit to be a nonprofit organization as of the date specified by the internal revenue service if all of the following apply:

DWD 110.05(1) (1) The employing unit has filed a written notice with the department electing reimbursement financing under s. 108.151 (2), Stats.

DWD 110.05(2) (2) The employing unit acted diligently in requesting such a determination from the internal revenue service.

DWD 110.05(3) (3) Any delays concerning such a determination are attributable solely to the internal revenue service.

DWD 110.05(4) (4) There is no overpayment of benefits to any claimant due to the department adopting the date specified by the internal revenue service.

DWD 110.05 History History: Cr. Register, June, 1990, No. 414, eff. 7-1-90; CR 18-033: am. Register May 2019 No. 761, eff. 6-1-19.

DWD 110.06 DWD 110.06 Liability due to sickness or accident disability payments.

DWD 110.06(1) (1) Policy. Under s. 108.02 (13) (j), Stats., an employer includes a person who makes sickness or accident disability payments if the person is classified as an employer under rules promulgated by the department. This section specifies the circumstances under which persons who make sickness or accident disability payments are to be considered employers for contribution purposes under ch. 108, Stats. This section also specifies the procedures such employers shall follow in reporting payments and making contributions.

DWD 110.06(2) (2) Amounts included as taxable wages. The department shall treat as wages for contribution purposes under ch. 108, Stats., any sickness or accident disability payments whether made by an employer, a third party payor, or a multiemployer benefit plan. Whichever employer, third party payor or multiemployer benefit plan is liable for payment of contributions under this section shall report these payments as wages on the contribution report for the quarter in which the payments are made.

DWD 110.06(3) (3) Payments made directly by employers. An employer which makes sickness or accident disability payments directly to an employee or his or her dependents shall be treated as the employer for contribution purposes under ch. 108, Stats., with respect to these payments.

DWD 110.06(4) (4) Payments by third party payors and multiemployer benefit plans.

DWD 110.06(4)(a) (a) General rule for third party payors. Except as provided in pars. (b) to (f), a third party payor which makes sickness or accident disability payments shall be treated as the employer for contribution purposes under ch. 108, Stats., with respect to these payments.

DWD 110.06(4)(b) (b) Notice by third party payors to shift tax. If a third party payor timely notifies the employer for which services are normally performed of the amount of the sickness or accident disability payments made during any quarter, the employer shall be treated as the employer for contribution purposes under ch. 108, Stats. The third party payor shall notify the employer, in writing, by the 15th day of the month after the end of the quarter in which the payments are made. In this paragraph, the employer for which services are normally performed is the last employer which made contributions on behalf of the employee to the plan or system under which the sickness or accident disability payments are being made and for which the employee worked prior to the sickness or disability.

DWD 110.06(4)(c) (c) Third party payors as agents or insurers. A third party payor which makes sickness or accident disability payments as an agent for the employer or directly to the employer may not be treated as the employer for contribution purposes under ch. 108, Stats., unless the agency agreement so provides. The determining factor as to whether a third party payor is an agent of the employer is whether the third party payor bears any insurance risk and is reimbursed on a cost plus fee basis. If the third party payor bears no insurance risk and is reimbursed on a cost plus fee basis, the third party payor is an agent of the employer even if the third party payor is responsible for determining eligibility of the employee or dependent for sickness or accident disability payments. If the third party payor is paid an insurance premium and is not reimbursed on a cost plus fee basis, the third party payor is not an agent of the employer but rather a third party insurer and shall be treated as the employer for contribution purposes under ch. 108, Stats., unless the third party insurer complies with par. (b).

DWD 110.06(4)(d) (d) Relationship among third party insurers, multiemployer benefit plans and employers. A third party insurer under a contract of insurance with a multiemployer benefit plan which is required to make sickness or accident disability payments pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement shall be treated as the employer for contribution purposes under ch. 108, Stats., with respect to these payments unless the third party insurer notifies the multiemployer benefit plan of the amount of these payments, in writing, by the 15th day of the month after the end of the quarter in which the payments are made. If such timely notice is given, the multiemployer benefit plan shall be treated as the employer unless, within 6 business days after receipt of the notice, the multiemployer benefit plan notifies the employer for which services are normally performed of the amount of the sickness or accident disability payments made during the quarter. If the multiemployer benefit plan gives such timely notice, the employer for which services are normally performed shall be treated as the employer for contribution purposes under ch. 108, Stats. In this paragraph, the employer for which services are normally performed is the last employer which made contributions on behalf of the employee to the plan or system under which the sickness or accident disability payments are being made and for which the employee worked prior to the sickness or disability.

DWD 110.06(4)(e) (e) Multiemployer benefit plans as insurers. If the multiemployer benefit plan is the insurer under par. (d), the multiemployer benefit plan shall be treated as the employer for contribution purposes under ch. 108, Stats., unless the plan notifies the employer of the amount of the sickness or accident disability payments, in writing, by the 15th day of the month after the end of the quarter in which the payments are made.

DWD 110.06(4)(f) (f) Third party administrators for multiemployer benefit plans. A third party administrator which makes sickness or accident disability payments as an agent for a multiemployer benefit plan may not be treated as the employer for contribution purposes under ch. 108, Stats.

DWD 110.06(5) (5) Required records to retain; department’s powers.

DWD 110.06(5)(a) (a) Under s. 108.21, Stats., each payor of sickness or accident disability payments shall maintain a true and accurate payment record for every individual who receives such payments so that the department may determine the payor’s status and contribution liability under ch. 108, Stats.

DWD 110.06(5)(b) (b) The payment record shall include all of the following:

DWD 110.06(5)(b)1. 1. The full name, address and social security number of each individual who receives a sickness or accident disability payment.

DWD 110.06(5)(b)2. 2. The date that the payment was made.

DWD 110.06(5)(b)3. 3. The amount of the payment.

DWD 110.06(5)(c) (c) Under s. 108.21, Stats., the department may, at any reasonable time, inspect the records of a payor, or any entity the department believes may be a payor, which may show sickness or accident disability payments so the department may determine the payor’s status and contribution liability under ch. 108, Stats.

DWD 110.06(5)(d) (d) Each payor shall preserve the sickness or accident disability payment records for 6 years from the date the last payment was made.

DWD 110.06(6) (6) Required records and reports to submit. Pursuant to ss. 108.14 and 108.21, Stats., each payor of sickness or accident disability payments shall submit any records and reports concerning these payments which the department may request so that the department may determine the payor’s status and contribution liability under ch. 108, Stats. The department may require the payor to make verbal or written reports or both.

DWD 110.06(7) (7) Applicable provisions. The provisions of ss. DWD 110.04, 110.05, 110.07 and 110.08 as these provisions relate to employers and employing units shall also apply to payors of sickness or accident disability payments.

DWD 110.06 History History: Cr. Register, June, 1990, No. 414, eff. 7-1-90; emerg. renum. from ILHR 110.11 and am. (1) and (7), eff. 2-19-93; renum. from ILHR 110.11 and am. (1) and (7), Register, May, 1993, No. 449, eff. 6-1-93; CR 18-033: am. (5) (a), (b) (intro.), 1., 2., (c), (d) Register May 2019 No. 761, eff. 6-1-19.

DWD 110.07 DWD 110.07 Due date for certain reports; contribution reports; reimbursement financing.

DWD 110.07(1) (1) Newly subject employers; payment of contributions. Under s. 108.17 (1m), Stats., an employer which becomes newly subject to the contribution provisions of ch. 108, Stats., based on employment during any year shall pay contributions based on payroll for all quarters beginning with the first quarter in the year in which the employer became subject to ch. 108, Stats. The employer shall pay such contributions by the close of the month next following the first full quarter occurring after the quarter during which the liability was incurred except that the due date may not be later than January 31 of the succeeding year.

DWD 110.07(2) (2) Election of reimbursement financing; notices and assurances.

DWD 110.07(2)(a) (a) Any notice of election of reimbursement financing by an employer other than a newly subject employer under sub. (1) and any assurance of reimbursement are delinquent unless the department receives the notice or assurance by its due date. If the due date of the notice or assurance would otherwise be a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday under state or federal law, the due date is the next following day which is not a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday under state or federal law.

DWD 110.07(2)(b) (b) A nonprofit organization which discontinues participation in a group reimbursement account under s. 108.151 (6), Stats., may elect reimbursement financing in its own name by filing a notice of election of reimbursement financing with the department on or before December 31 of the year in which the group reimbursement account is terminated.

DWD 110.07(3) (3) Filing of contribution reports; general due dates.

DWD 110.07(3)(a) (a) Each employer, including employers subject to reimbursement financing under s. 108.15, 108.151 or 108.152, Stats., shall file a contribution report with the department for each quarter the employer is subject to ch. 108, Stats., whether or not any contributions or reimbursement payments are due for each quarter. Each employer shall pay any required contributions to the department when filing the report, except that employers subject to reimbursement financing shall submit reimbursement payments when billed by the department. The department may exempt any employer whose account the department has placed on inactive status from the filing requirements of this subsection. The department may also exempt any employer whose business reflects a seasonal pattern from the filing requirements of this subsection for quarters in which the employer customarily has no payroll.

DWD 110.07(3)(b) (b) Except as otherwise provided in this section, under s. 108.17 (2), Stats., the due dates for each contribution report are as follows:

DWD 110.07(3)(b)1. 1. The first quarterly report covering the months of January, February and March is due on the following April 30th;

DWD 110.07(3)(b)2. 2. The second quarterly report covering the months of April, May and June is due on the following July 31st;

DWD 110.07(3)(b)3. 3. The third quarterly report covering the months of July, August and September is due on the following October 31st;

DWD 110.07(3)(b)4. 4. The fourth quarterly report covering the months of October, November and December is due on the following January 31st.

DWD 110.07(4) (4) Due dates falling on weekends and holidays. Under s. 108.22 (1) (b) and (c), Stats., any contribution report or payment is delinquent unless the department receives the report or payment by its due date. If the due date of the report or payment would otherwise be a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday under state or federal law, the due date is the next following day which is not a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday under state or federal law.

DWD 110.07(6) (6) Monthly reporting in certain cases. The department may require an employer which is delinquent in submitting a contribution report or payment required under this chapter or under ch. 108, Stats., to submit succeeding contribution reports on a monthly basis until the department again approves a return to quarterly reporting. The employer shall submit the payments by the close of the month next following the end of each month.

DWD 110.07(8) (8) Payments. An employer shall remit contributions and any other payments due under ch. 108, Stats., as directed by the department.

DWD 110.07 History History: Cr. Register, June, 1990, No. 414, eff. 7-1-90; emerg. renum. from ILHR 110.06 eff. 2-19-93; renum. from ILHR 110.06, Register, May, 1993, No. 449, eff. 6-1-93; am. (8), Register, September, 2000, No. 537, eff. 10-1-00; CR 18-033: am. (3) (a), (4), r. (5), (7), am. (8) Register May 2019 No. 761, eff. 6-1-19; republished to correct a transcription error in (8) Register May 2020 No. 773.

DWD 110.08 DWD 110.08 General provisions relating to reporting wages on the employer’s contribution report.

DWD 110.08(1) (1) Wisconsin total wages. Each employer shall report all covered wages paid or constructively paid during the applicable quarter on the employer’s contribution report.

DWD 110.08(2) (2) Defined taxable payroll. An employer’s defined taxable payroll is the amount of covered wages of the payroll base and shall be reported on the contribution report.

DWD 110.08 History History: Cr. Register, June, 1990, No. 414, eff. 7-1-90; emerg. renum. from ILHR 110.07 eff. 2-19-93; renum. from ILHR 110.07, Register, May, 1993, No. 449, eff. 6-1-93; CR 18-033: am. (2) Register May 2019 No. 761, eff. 6-1-19.

DWD 110.09 DWD 110.09 Termination of coverage.

DWD 110.09(1) (1) Procedure. Under s. 108.02 (13) (i), Stats., the department may, on its own motion or on application by the employer, terminate coverage and close the employer’s account if any of the following apply:

DWD 110.09(1)(a) (a) The employer ceases to exist.

DWD 110.09(1)(b) (b) The employer transfers its entire business.

DWD 110.09(1)(c) (c) The employer has not met the minimum payroll or employment requirements or is not otherwise subject under s. 108.02 (13) (b) to (g), Stats., for a calendar year.

DWD 110.09(2) (2) Effective dates of termination. If the termination of coverage is based on an employer’s application, the department shall terminate coverage and close the employer’s account at the close of the quarter in which the department received the application. If the department terminates an employer’s coverage on its own motion, the department shall close the account as of the date specified in the notice of termination.

DWD 110.09(3) (3) Employers of agricultural labor or domestic service.

DWD 110.09(3)(a) (a) The department may make a refund of any contributions paid on employment excluded under s. 108.02 (15) (k) 1. or 2., Stats., by an employer of agricultural labor or domestic service whose coverage has been terminated, unless the department paid benefits based on this excluded employment.

DWD 110.09(3)(b) (b) An employer of agricultural labor or domestic service which no longer meets the minimum payroll or employment requirements under s. 108.02 (13) (c) or (d), Stats., shall continue to report all payroll to the department as long as the employer is subject under another provision of s. 108.02 (13), Stats.

DWD 110.09 History History: Cr. Register, June, 1990, No. 414, eff. 7-1-90; emerg. rn. from ILHR 110.16 eff. 2-19-93; rn. from ILHR 110.16, Register, May, 1993, No. 449, eff. 6-1-93; CR 18-033: am. (1) Register May 2019 No. 761, eff. 6-1-19.

DWD 110.10 DWD 110.10 Reactivating employer accounts.

DWD 110.10(1) (1) If the balance in the employer’s account is to be or has been credited to the balancing account under s. 108.16 (6) (c), Stats., the department may reactivate the employer’s account, on its own motion or at the employer’s request, as of the date of coverage if any of the following apply:

DWD 110.10(1)(a) (a) The employer had payroll within 6 months of the effective date of a determination terminating coverage under s. 108.02 (13) (i), Stats.

DWD 110.10(1)(b) (b) The account was closed because the employer failed to report any payroll.

DWD 110.10 History History: Cr. Register, June, 1990, No. 414, eff. 7-1-90; emerg. renum. from ILHR 110.17, eff. 2-19-93; renum. from ILHR 110.17, Register, May, 1993, No. 449, eff. 6-1-93; CR 18-033: am. (1) (intro.), (a) Register May 2019 No. 761, eff. 6-1-19.