(1) Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, any employing unit which is or becomes an employer subject to this chapter within any calendar year shall be deemed to be an employer during the whole of such calendar year.

(2) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (3) of this section:

(a) An employing unit (other than a state hospital, state institution of higher learning, state or state agency or other political subdivision or instrumentality) except as provided in subsections (b) and (c) of this subsection, shall cease to be an employer subject to this chapter only as of the first day of January of any calendar year, only if it files with the department on or before the thirty-first day of May of such year a written application for termination of coverage, and the department finds that during the preceding calendar year the employing unit did not pay wages of One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($1,500.00) or more in any calendar quarter and that there were no twenty (20) days, each day being in a different week within the preceding calendar year, within which such employing unit employed one or more individuals in employment subject to this chapter, or four (4) or more in the case of nonprofit organizations, except if the department finds that throughout a calendar year an employer has had no employment, it shall cease to be an employer subject to this chapter.

(b) An agricultural employer as defined under Section 71-5-11, subsection H(4)(a) shall cease to be an agricultural employer subject to this chapter only as of the first day of January of any calendar year, only if it files with the department on or before the thirty-first day of May of such year a written application for termination of coverage, and the department finds that during the preceding calendar year the employing unit did not pay for agricultural employment wages as defined in Section 71-5-11, subsection I(6) of Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00) in any calendar quarter of the preceding calendar year and that there were no twenty (20) days, each day being in a different week, within such calendar year, within which such employing unit employed ten (10) or more individuals in employment subject to this chapter, except if the department finds that throughout a calendar year an employer has had no employment, it shall cease to be an employer subject to this chapter.

(c) A domestic employer, as defined in Section 71-5-11, subsection H(4)(b), shall cease to be an employer subject to this chapter only as of the first day of January of any calendar year, only if it files with the department on or before the thirty-first day of May of such year a written application for termination of coverage, and the department finds that during the preceding calendar year the employing unit did not pay wages for domestic employment of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or more in any calendar quarter of the preceding calendar year, except if the department finds that throughout a calendar year an employer has had no employment, it shall cease to be an employer subject to this chapter.

(d) For the purpose of this subsection, the two (2) or more employing units mentioned in Section 71-5-11, subsection H(5) or (6), shall be treated as a single employing unit. The department may, of its own motion, cancel and terminate the effect of registrations for purposes of its accounting records in cases where it has found that employing units, duly registered as covered employers under the chapter, have died, ceased business or removed from the state without applying for termination of coverage, provided that the rights of claimants for benefits shall not be affected thereby.

(3)

(a) An employing unit, not otherwise subject to this chapter, which files with the department its written election to become an employer subject thereto for not less than two (2) calendar years shall, with the written approval of such election by the department or the executive director, become an employer subject hereto to the same extent as all other employers as of the date stated in such approval, and shall cease to be subject hereto as of January 1 of any calendar year subsequent to such two (2) calendar years only if it files with the department, on or before the thirty-first day of May of such year, a written application for termination of coverage thereunder.

(b) Any employing unit, for which services that do not constitute employment as defined in this chapter are performed, may file with the department a written election that all such services performed by individuals in its employ in one or more distinct establishments or places of business shall be deemed to constitute employment by an employer for all purposes of this chapter for not less than two (2) calendar years. Upon written approval of such election by the department, such services shall be deemed to constitute employment subject to this chapter from and after the date stated in such approval. Such services shall cease to be deemed employment subject hereto as of January 1 of any calendar year subsequent to such two (2) calendar years only if, prior to the thirty-first day of May of such year, such employing unit has filed with the department a written notice to that effect.

(4)

(a) Prior to January 1, 1978, any political subdivision of this state may elect to cover under this chapter, for a period of not less than two (2) calendar years, services performed by employees in all of the hospitals and institutions of higher learning, as defined in Section 71-5-11, subsection M or N, operated by such political subdivision. Election is to be made by filing with the department a notice of such election at least thirty (30) days prior to the effective date of such election. The election may exclude any services described in Section 71-5-11, subsection I(5). Any political subdivision electing coverage under this subsection shall make payments in lieu of contributions with respect to benefits attributable to such employment as provided with respect to nonprofit organizations in subsections (b) and (c) of Section 71-5-357.

(b) Prior to January 1, 1978, the provisions in Section 71-5-511, subsection (g) with respect to benefit rights based on service for state and nonprofit institutions of higher learning shall be applicable also to service covered by an election under this section.

(c) Prior to January 1, 1978, the amounts required to be paid in lieu of contributions by any political subdivision under this section shall be billed and payment made as provided in subsections (b) and (c) of Section 71-5-357.

(d) Prior to January 1, 1978, an election under this section, after having been in effect for not less than two (2) calendar years, may be terminated by filing with the department written notice not later than thirty (30) days preceding the last day of the calendar year in which the termination is to be effective. Such termination becomes effective as of the first day of the next ensuing calendar year with respect to services performed on and after that date.