Certain transactions and procedures relating to federal and state unemployment taxes follow for Fashion Sense, a retail store owned by Nancy Roberts. The firm’s address is 2007 Trendsetter Lane, Dallas, TX 75268-0967. The firm’s phone number is 972-456-1200.The employer’s federal and state identification numbers are 75-9462315 and 37-9462315, respectively. Carry out the procedures as instructed in each of the following steps.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Compute the state unemployment insurance tax owed on the employees’ wages for the quarter ended March 31, 2016. This information will be shown on the employer’s quarterly report to the state agency that collects SUTA tax. The employer has recorded the tax on each payroll date. Although the state charges a 5.4 percent unemployment tax rate, Fashion Sense’s rate is only 1.7 percent because of its experience rating. The employee earnings for the first quarter are shown below. All earnings are subject to SUTA tax.

Name of EmployeeTotal Earnings

Terri Chu .......... $ 6,060

Jeri Guyton...........4,025

Gloria Bermudez ..........4,348

Stacee Scott .................5,520

Anita Thomas.................4,250

Terri Wong .....................3,160

Total ............................... $27,363

2. On April 30, 2016, the firm issued a check to the state employment commission for the amount computed above. In general journal form, record the issuance of the check. Use journal page 82.

Analyze: Why is the business experience rating important with regard to the state unemployment tax rate?