How often must employers pay federal taxes for unemployment insurance?

Employers are required to pay federal unemployment taxes on a quarterly basis. This is established under the Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA), which mandates that employers report and pay taxes for unemployment insurance through Form 940 or Form 941 on a quarterly schedule. This quarterly payment structure helps ensure that unemployment funds are adequately supported as they are distributed to eligible individuals seeking employment.

While some state unemployment insurance programs may have different payment schedules, the federal requirement specifies quarterly payments. This aligns with the broader federal approach to taxation, where employers must periodically remit collected taxes to maintain compliance and funding for unemployment programs. The other options do not reflect the correct timing set forth for federal unemployment tax payments. For instance, monthly payment schedules are generally associated with payroll taxes, while annual or bi-weekly payments would not align with the specific requirements for FUTA.