Quick Answer
A layoff affects your taxes through reduced W-2 income, potentially qualifying you for a lower tax bracket, plus deductible job search expenses. If you earned $75,000 before a mid-year layoff, your effective tax rate could drop from 22% to 12% on unemployment benefits, saving roughly $2,250 in federal taxes.
Best Answer
Robert Kim, CPA
Anyone who has been laid off and wants to understand the complete tax picture
How does a layoff affect your income taxes?
A layoff creates several immediate tax implications that can actually work in your favor. Your total taxable income for the year will be lower, which may drop you into a lower tax bracket and reduce your overall tax liability.
For example, if you were earning $75,000 annually but got laid off in June, your W-2 income would be roughly $37,500. Add unemployment benefits of about $15,000, and your total taxable income becomes $52,500 instead of $75,000 — dropping you from the 22% marginal tax bracket to 12%.
Example: Mid-year layoff tax impact
Let's compare two scenarios for a single filer:
Scenario A: Full year employment ($75,000)
Scenario B: Laid off in June ($37,500 W-2 + $15,000 unemployment)
Unemployment benefits are taxable
Unemployment compensation is fully taxable as ordinary income. According to IRS Publication 525, you'll receive a Form 1099-G showing the total benefits paid. You can choose to have 10% federal tax withheld from your unemployment checks, or make quarterly estimated payments if you expect to owe more than $1,000.
Deductible expenses from job loss
A layoff opens up several potential deductions:
Severance package considerations
Severance pay is taxable income subject to federal withholding and FICA taxes. However, the timing matters:
What you should do
1. Request 10% withholding on unemployment benefits to avoid owing at filing
2. Track all job search expenses — keep receipts for everything
3. Consider timing of severance if you have any control over payment dates
4. Run projections using our refund estimator to see if you should make estimated payments
Key takeaway: A layoff typically reduces your total tax liability due to lower income, potentially saving thousands in federal taxes, but unemployment benefits are fully taxable and should have tax withheld.
*Sources: [IRS Publication 525](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p525.pdf), [IRS Publication 17](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p17.pdf)*
Key Takeaway: A layoff usually lowers your total tax bill due to reduced income, but unemployment benefits are taxable and job search expenses may be deductible.
Tax impact comparison: employed full year vs. mid-year layoff
| Scenario | Total Income | Taxable Income | Federal Tax | Tax Bracket |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full year employed | $75,000 | $60,000 | ~$9,057 | 22% |
| Laid off June (with UI) | $52,500 | $37,500 | ~$4,057 | 12% |
| Tax savings | ~$5,000 | -10% |
More Perspectives
Diana Flores, EA
Those who relocated during or after their layoff for new opportunities
Moving for work after a layoff
If your layoff led to relocating for a new job, the moving expense landscape has changed significantly. For most taxpayers, moving expenses are no longer deductible as of 2018, but there are important exceptions.
Military exception
Active-duty military members can still deduct unreimbursed moving expenses when relocating due to permanent change of station. According to IRS Publication 521, this includes transportation, lodging, and storage costs.
State-specific considerations
Some states still allow moving expense deductions even when the federal government doesn't. California, for example, continues to allow moving expense deductions for qualified relocations. If you moved from a high-tax state like California to a no-tax state like Texas, you could see significant overall tax savings.
Timing your move strategically
The timing of your relocation affects which state taxes you owe:
If you moved mid-year, you may need to file part-year resident returns in both states.
Job search expenses in new location
While you can't deduct the move itself, job search expenses in your new location may still be deductible if you become self-employed or start freelancing while looking for traditional employment.
Key takeaway: Moving expenses are generally not deductible unless you're military, but strategic timing of your relocation can minimize state tax obligations.
Key Takeaway: Moving expenses aren't deductible for most taxpayers, but timing your relocation strategically can minimize state taxes.
Robert Kim, CPA
Young professionals experiencing their first layoff or job loss
First-time layoff tax considerations
If this is your first layoff, you're likely in a lower tax bracket to begin with, which means the impact may be different than for higher earners. The good news: lower income often means a larger refund.
Education opportunity
Many early-career professionals use layoff periods to pursue additional education or certifications. This creates potential tax benefits:
Building your emergency fund
Unemployment benefits provide an opportunity to establish good financial habits. Consider contributing to a Roth IRA with some of your unemployment benefits — you'll pay tax now at potentially lower rates and build tax-free retirement savings.
Side income considerations
Many early-career professionals start freelancing or gig work during unemployment. This creates self-employment income, which:
Even small amounts of freelance income can unlock valuable deductions like the home office deduction or business equipment purchases.
Key takeaway: Early-career layoffs often result in refunds due to lower income, and this period is ideal for education investments that provide tax credits.
Key Takeaway: First layoffs often result in tax refunds due to lower income brackets, and unemployment periods are perfect for pursuing education tax credits.
Sources
- IRS Publication 525 — Taxable and Nontaxable Income
- IRS Publication 17 — Your Federal Income Tax
- IRS Publication 521 — Moving Expenses
Related Questions
Reviewed by Robert Kim, CPA on February 28, 2026
This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional tax advice. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice specific to your situation.