Payroll blocked? Go to our article with tips for fixing blocked payroll.
Use the dropdowns below to learn more, or use CMD + F (or CTRL + F) to search for words in the article.
To pay employees in a new state, where you’ve never operated or paid people, you must register with the state tax agencies there. This lets you pay and file the taxes you and your employees are liable for.
Watch this quick tutorial to learn more.
Registering for taxes may not be the only to-do when starting or running a business in a new state. Go to our blog for complete guides on starting and running a business in each state.
Gusto works with CorpNet to help you register your business in new states.
What you need to do
Cost and timeline
Prices vary by state. You can see the cost, process, and how long it takes in step four below.
What the process looks like
Third-Party Agent (TPA) authorization reminder
Some state agencies need Gusto to have TPA access to file and pay your taxes. Usually, CorpNet does not set this up, so you’ll have to do it yourself after registration.
Check the state registration articles to see if TPA is needed and how to set it up. If there's no “Authorize Gusto” section, then TPA is not needed right now.
Prices vary by state. You can see the cost, process, and how long it takes in step four below.
Some reminders
When your order is complete, you’ll receive emails from both Gusto and CorpNet. They’ll detail the next steps, which include:
Before your order is done, use the link in the state registration email from Gusto to check your order's status.
You can also check the status in your Gusto account:
If your order is still in progress, you can cancel from your Gusto account:
If you were already charged, you'll get a refund in a few business days.
If you canceled your order but would like to re-open it, contact CorpNet directly at (888) 449-2638. Or email them at [email protected].
Q: Can I run payroll before my registration is done?
A: Yes, you can usually run payroll before all state tax info is added in Gusto. You may be asked to enter tax rates and tax deposit frequencies, but can use temporary info.
Important reminders
Q: Can I use Gusto to register in a new state without a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN)? What if my business is merging or being acquired?
A: No, you need a FEIN in Gusto to get registration help for state taxes.
If your business is merging or being acquired, CorpNet cannot help with registration. You'll need to work with a tax advisor and state agencies directly.
Q: Where can I find my tax information?
A: You can find your tax info in several places:
Gusto’s state tax registration service does not contain tax, legal, financial, or HR advice. Since rules and regulations change over time and can vary by location, consult a lawyer, HR expert, or accountant for specific guidance.
Q: What if I'm not liable for unemployment tax yet?
A: If you want CorpNet to start setting up an unemployment account number before you're liable, you can:
Q: Can CorpNet help if the responsible party is international without an ITIN or SSN?
A: CorpNet might be able to help. Contact them at [email protected] or 1(888) 449-2638.
Q: Why am I unable to enter 0% ownership for the responsible party or add a commercial owner?
A: Some states have a 1% minimum for the responsible party ownership percentage. These states include ID, KS, MN, OH, SC, DC, DE, MD, NJ, NY, and RI.
You’ll need to place registration orders directly with CorpNet outside of Gusto or register directly with the agency.
Some states require an individual owner to be listed. If you’re a non-profit or unsure, contact CorpNet for help at [email protected] or 1(888) 449-2638.
Q: Does CorpNet help with giving Gusto third-party access (TPA) for tax payments?
A: Some state agencies need Gusto to have TPA access to file and pay your taxes. Usually, CorpNet does not set this up, so you’ll have to do it yourself after registration.
Check the state registration articles to see if TPA is needed and how to set it up. If there's no “Authorize Gusto” section, then TPA is not needed right now.
Q: Does CorpNet help close state tax accounts?
A: No, you'll need to close the tax account yourself.
Click the dropdowns below to learn how to register with state agencies. You can also learn to fix agency authorization issues (if needed).
Register with the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) to receive:
You should receive your DFA Account ID and filing schedule by mail in 1-2 weeks. Keep this time frame in mind when planning your first Arkansas payroll.
If you're having any Gusto-specific authorization issues, scroll to the "Troubleshoot Department of Finance and Administration authorization issues" headline below.
Once a valid Arkansas work address is added in Gusto for one or more employees, add your tax account information:
Some agencies require special authorization for Gusto to pay or file your taxes. If we're having trouble getting access to your account, confirm that the company details entered in Gusto match exactly what the agency has on file. You can do this by calling them at (501) 683-2827 or (877) 280-2827.
Here's what should match:
Most companies become liable for Arkansas unemployment insurance tax once the company has at least one Arkansas-employee working 10 or more days during a calendar year.
When you become liable can vary by business type (general, non-profit, etc.), so we recommend contacting the agency directly to confirm when your specific business is liable.
If you need to run payroll and do not yet meet the above requirements, enter the new employer rate for your state in the meantime. Update the rate once you receive it.
You'll want to make sure during registration that the AR Division of Workforce Services knows when you plan to become liable. Gusto will eventually need:
Registration takes about 5 minutes to complete, and you'll receive a confirmation email when you're done. Check out this employer handbook if you run into any issues.
Register with the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services here.
Unemployment tax rate (experience rate)
New employers should complete registration to get their agency-assigned new employer rate. The AR Experience Rate will also appear on the Rate Notice you receive from the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services.
If you do not know your rate, call the agency directly at (501) 682-3798.
Once a valid Arkansas work address is added in Gusto for one or more employees, add your tax account information:
If you've already registered in the state, enter your tax account details in Gusto.
In order for Gusto to file and pay taxes on your behalf, register with the following agencies:
If you still need to register, click the applicable dropdown above in this article.
If you've run payroll in Arkansas previously, find your Withholding Account ID (also called a DFA Account ID) and filing frequency by:
Some agencies require special authorization for Gusto to pay or file your taxes. If we're having trouble getting access to your account, confirm that the company details entered in Gusto match exactly what the agency has on file. You can do this by calling them at (501) 683-2827 or (877) 280-2827.
Here's what should match:
You can find your DWS ID on Arkansas Division of Workforce Services notices (ex. Rate Notices of the Quarterly Contribution and Wage Report: Form DWS-ARK-209B) .
The AR Experience Rate appears on the Rate Notice that you receive from the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services each year, and typically takes effect on Jan 1.
If you do not have your assigned rate yet, enter the new employer rate for your state in the meantime—update the rate once you receive it.
Once a valid Arkansas work address has been added in Gusto for one or more employee(s), you can add your tax account information:
If you have employees who live in Texarkana, Arkansas, or Texarkana, Texas, and work in Texarkana, Arkansas, they qualify for an exemption from Arkansas withholding tax.
If either of these scenarios applies to your business:
To let the agency know about an employee exemption, email [email protected] the following information:
How to find forms in your account
Asterisk info (if applicable)
If a form has a star (*) next to it, it will not show up in your tax documents in Gusto. These forms are usually payment vouchers or other forms (ex. coupons) filed electronically.
You can check if tax payments were made by running an "Agency Payments" report.