Florida is joining other states in hiking unemployment tax rates in 2010. The minimum rate will jump to $100.30 per employee from the current rate of $8.40, the Florida Department of Revenue announced this week. Business groups are raising concern.

Under the increase, Florida would raise wages on which unemployment taxes are charged to the first $8,500 earned in 2010 from the first $7,000.

The minimum rate would also go to 1.18% of wages in 2010 from 0.12%. That would mean an increase to $100.30 per employee with the higher wage cap from $8.40 per employee.

The maximum rate would remain at 5.4% of salary. However, with the increase in taxable income, the amount per employee per year would go to $459 per employee from $378.

Florida's increased has unsettled some, and The Associated Industries of Florida said it's concerned about the "shockingly high" rates.

"At this point, Florida businesses need to decide exactly how this tax hike impacts our economic outlook," according to The Associated Industries of Florida. "It remains unknown if this higher tax rate reaches the tipping point that causes the system's reforms to be counterproductive to the economic recovery they were intended to foster."

Today's tough economic environment prompted the increase, according to the Florida Department of Revenue. Florida's unemployment trust fund fell to zero on Aug. 24, and the state is now borrowing $300 million a month from the federal government to pay unemployment benefits.