South Dakota Waives Virus-Related Unemployment Benefit Charges

Unemployment tax rates for South Dakota employers are not to be affected by unemployment benefit costs related to the new coronavirus.

Under a measure (SB 187) signed March 31 by Gov. Kristi Noem (R), employers are not to be charged after former employees claim benefits because they were quarantined, regardless of whether the employee received a virus diagnosis, or because the employer reduced or stopped operations because of the virus.

Employers also may receive relief from penalties when they are delinquent in sending unemployment reports or tax payments because operations were reduced or stopped because of the virus, ...