BWC True-Up: August 15 is the BWC Deadline for True-Up

Published July 22, 2022

Through the NARI of Southwest Ohio workers’ compensation program, your organization can significantly reduce your workers’ compensation costs through a variety of alternative rating programs. Our program, administered by Sedgwick, offers you quality service and stability through the complex workers’ compensation environment.

Now is the time for your True-Up and our partners at Sedgwick can help you through this process. Failure to do the True-Up can disqualify employers from group rating and other discount programs. For more information, please reach out to our dedicated Sedgwick point of contact, Julia Bowling (julia.bowling@sedgwick.com | 513-218-4062). See below for more details about the True-Up process and as always, please reach out to the NARI of Southwest Ohio office to discuss this and other offerings of membership.

REPORTABLE PAYROLL AND TRUE-UP

Reportable payroll
In defining payroll, the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) generally follows the guidelines of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, as well as the Federal Unemployment Tax Authority (FUTA) in the businesses section.

Examples of reportable payroll
The more common types of reportable payroll include sick pay, vacation pay, bonus payments including stock given as a bonus, sales commission, tips, and all gross hourly wages and salaries less qualifying deductions for section 125 cafeteria plan benefits. Contact BWC or go to www.bwc.ohio.gov, select For Employers/Compliance/Reporting Payroll for a complete list of reportable payroll. You may also contact Sedgwick’s Rate Department at (800) 825-6755 with any questions.

True-up process
BWC provides workers’ compensation coverage based on estimated payroll. Therefore at the end of the policy year, BWC asks employers to report their actual payroll for the prior policy year and pay any shortage (or receive a refund for any overage) in premium. This process is called a true-up. If the true-up is not completed timely, the following may occur:

  • Employer will not be eligible for prior year rebates and incentives
  • Employer will be removed from current year programs
  • Employer will become ineligible for programs the following year and will continue to remain ineligible for all future years until all past true-ups are completed

How to report payroll and complete the true-up
Although employers may contact BWC at (800) OHIO-BWC (800.644.6292) and complete their true-up report over the phone, BWC anticipates high call volumes and long wait times. They strongly encourage employers to complete their true-up report online through their BWC e-account at www.bwc.ohio.gov. If you do not have an e-account, simply select the Create E-Account Link to begin. You will need your BWC policy number and/or Federal Tax Identification Number.

Additional rebates
Additional rebates are available should an employer utilize their e-account through the BWC’s website. Eligible employers will qualify for a 1 percent Go Green premium rebate (up to $2,000 maximum) by filing electronically. To be eligible for the Go-Green Rebate, you must complete the true-up online and pay any balance at that time as well  as opt in to invoice email notifications.

DEADLINES
Private employers – true-up report must be completed and payment received no later than August 15, 2022