Puerto Rico DOL Allows Employers to File Unemployment Returns on Paper for First Quarter of 2019

Last month, the Puerto Rico Department of Labor and Human Resources (PR DOL) issued a press release announcing that all employers will be required to submit their unemployment quarterly returns electronically starting with the first quarter of 2019.  This announcement was in accordance with the new regulations regarding the Administration of the Puerto Rico Unemployment Insurance Program.  Although the March 14 press release specified that the PR DOL will not accept or consider any returns on paper, due to the difficulties that some employers are encountering with the electronic filing process, the PR DOL issued a last-minute administrative determination allowing employers to submit the quarterly return corresponding to the first quarter of 2019 on paper.  The Secretary of the PR DOL clarified, however, that the deadline to file the unemployment quarterly returns continues to be April 30, 2019.  Thus, employers still facing difficulties complying with the electronic filing should go ahead and file their returns for the first quarter of 2019 on paper with the PR DOL to ensure compliance with the reporting requirement. Please note that employers have until TODAY—April 30, 2019—to either file the return electronically or on paper with the PR DOL.

Information contained in this publication is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or opinion, nor is it a substitute for the professional judgment of an attorney.