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Before you can pay employees in a new state, you must register with the stateβs tax agencies. This lets you file and pay the right taxes.
π₯ Watch a quick video to learn how registering in a new state works
π See our blog for full state business guides
Expand the sections below to learn more. Use CMD + F (or CTRL + F) to search for words in the article.
Let Gusto Business Compliance register your business in this state and keep you compliant after that. We'll register you with the state, act as your registered agent, file your annual reports, watch your government mail, and give you a concierge team. Learn more about Gusto Business Compliance.
Prefer not to use Business Compliance? We can still help you register in this state through our partner Middesk, with no monthly subscription. Order a one-time state tax registration.
Expand the sections below to see if you qualify, what's covered, how to sign up, and what happens next.
You can add Business Compliance if all of these are true:
You run payroll with Gusto. Business Compliance is not sold on its own.
You're on the Solo, Simple, Plus, or Premium plan. It's included with Premium at no extra cost.
Your business is a corporation or an LLC. Corporations include S corporations and nonprofit corporations. An LLC qualifies however it's taxed.
New sign-ups are not available for professional entities, including professional corporations and professional limited liability companies (PLLCs). If you already have a Business Compliance subscription as a professional entity, your coverage continues as it is.
Business Compliance is not available yet for sole proprietors, general partnerships, limited partnerships, or limited liability partnerships (LLPs). It's also not available for cannabis-related businesses, on any plan.
Not sure if you qualify? Chat with us before you sign up.
Business Compliance works state by state. Each state you add includes:
Registered agent β we accept legal and government mail for your business in that state.
Change of registered agent β we file the change so your mail comes to us.
Foreign qualification β we register your business with the Secretary of State so you can legally work there.
State tax registration β we register you with the state's tax agencies when you hire or start working there, including local tax agencies and Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) agencies wherever Gusto is able to register with them.
Annual report filing β we file the yearly report that keeps your business in good standing.
Government mail monitoring β we scan mail from state agencies into Gusto. Each notice comes with a plain-language summary of what it means and what to do next.
Proactive alerts β we tell you about deadlines before they're due.
You also get a compliance concierge team, no matter how many states you cover.
Cost: $85 per state, per month, billed monthly. Adding a state commits you to 12 months of coverage in that state. It's included with Premium at no extra cost. State filing fees are charged at cost, vary by state and business type, and show on your invoice.
Local tax and PFML coverage follows what Gusto's state tax registration supports, and not every agency can be registered through Gusto. Delaware and Maine do not allow a third party to register for Paid Family and Medical Leave, so you'll register with those agencies yourself. If we cannot register one of your agencies, we'll show it on your registration page under what you'll complete on your own. See Let Gusto help you with state tax registration.
Sign in to Gusto.
Go to Taxes & Compliance.
Select Business compliance.
Answer the questions about your business and the states where you work.
Review the price and what's included, then confirm.
After your first state is set up, you'll see its registrations and anything left to do.
When you add an employee or work location in a new state, that state shows up under Your states as Setup in progress, with your next step. Steps often include telling us more about your business there and moving your registered agent to us.
Select Start on a task to finish it, or View state details to see everything for that state. When every step is done, the state changes to Active.
To be your registered agent in a state, we file a change of registered agent with that state.
When a state needs this, you'll see a task on that state's card under Your states. Select Start to begin.
Keep your current registered agent until we confirm the transfer is done. A gap in coverage can put your business out of good standing in that state.
Once a state is active, we take over the ongoing work. We review your government mail, track your deadlines, and give you a concierge team to ask about any of it.
Your Business compliance page also shows your Compliance documents and Tax account details for each state.
Because we're your registered agent, legal mail for your business comes to us.
Other mail from state agencies is scanned into Agency notices on your Business compliance page. Each notice shows the state it came from, when it arrived, and a plain-language summary of what it means and what to do next. Select Unread or State to filter the list.
Still not sure what a notice means? Select Ask concierge about this mail on that notice. Your concierge team will follow up and explain what, if anything, you need to do.
If a notice is about your state payroll taxes, your concierge team brings in our tax resolution team. Learn more in How to handle a tax notice from an agency.
When you sign up, you get a compliance concierge team. They'll:
Learn about your business and the states where you work.
Check in regularly to make sure your filings are on track.
Explain any government mail you're unsure about.
Answer questions about your account.
To reach them, select Talk to a compliance concierge on your Business compliance page, or email [email protected].
We track filing and renewal deadlines for the states you cover. This includes annual reports, franchise tax filings, and business license renewals.
You'll get a notice in Gusto and by email before each deadline.
We file what we can for you. If a filing needs your approval, we'll send it to you with time to review.
Go to Taxes & Compliance β Business compliance β Manage subscription.
To stop coverage in one state, select Remove next to that state.
To cancel Business Compliance, select Leave Business Compliance.
Each state you add runs for a 12-month term, and you're billed monthly over that term. If you want to remove a state or leave Business Compliance before that term is up, email your compliance concierge team at [email protected] first. They'll tell you what happens to the rest of the term.
If Business Compliance is included with your Premium plan, you'll see a note on this page.
Before you remove a state: We'll stop being your registered agent there. Most states require one, so appoint a new agent to stay in good standing. We'll also stop tracking that state's mail and deadlines.
These services are charged separately from your subscription, on your regular Gusto invoice. Order them from your Business compliance page when you need them:
Certificate of good standing β $99 per certificate. Official proof that your business can operate and is in good standing. You may need one for a loan, a contract, or investors.
State account closure β $549 per order. We close your state tax accounts when you stop working in a state.
State filing fees are charged on top of these prices, at cost. They vary by state and by business type, so you'll see your total before you confirm the order. The filing fee appears as its own charge, separate from the service itself.
Legal and tax advice. We do not give legal or tax advice. For advice about your business, talk to a lawyer or an accountant.
Payroll taxes. Gusto payroll already handles the taxes tied to paying your team. Business Compliance covers what your business owes as a business.
Forming a new business. We register an existing business in a new state. We do not form new businesses.
Sales tax. We do not register you for sales tax or file sales tax returns.
Professional and industry licenses. We do not get or renew licenses for your profession or industry, or handle their reporting.
Reinstatements and reopened accounts. We do not reinstate a business with the Secretary of State or reopen closed payroll tax accounts.
General mail. We monitor payroll and compliance notices from government agencies, not your other mail.
Q: Why does my business need to register in a state?
A: Once you have an employee, a location, or other business in a state, that state's rules apply to you. This includes registration, filings, taxes, and renewals. It's separate from registering to run payroll there.
Q: How is this different from the payroll taxes Gusto already handles?
A: Gusto payroll handles the taxes tied to paying your team. Business Compliance covers what your business owes as a business, like Secretary of State registration, annual reports, and registered agent service.
Q: I'm already registered in my state. Do I still need this?
A: Registering is just the first step. Staying in good standing is ongoing. We keep you there by acting as your registered agent, watching your mail, filing your annual reports, and alerting you before deadlines.
Q: How much does Business Compliance cost?
A: $85 per state, per month, billed monthly. When you add a state, you are committing to 12 months of coverage in that state. It's included with Premium at no extra cost. State filing fees are charged at cost, and they vary by state and business type. One-time services are charged separately from your subscription. You'll see the price before you confirm.
Q: How do Business Compliance charges show up on my bill?
A: They appear on your regular Gusto invoice, not a separate bill. Your subscription, each one-time service you order, and state filing fees show up as their own charges, with the state named, so you can see what each one is for.
Q: I already paid for a one-time registration. What happens if I add Business Compliance?
A: Email your compliance concierge team at [email protected]. They'll review your account and share your options.
You'll work with the following Connecticut agencies when registering for payroll taxes:
Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (DOR): Handles income tax withholding.
Connecticut Department of Labor (DOL): Handles unemployment tax.
Connecticut Paid Leave Authority: Handles Paid Family and Medical Leave.
If you register online or in person, you'll receive your CT Tax Registration Number and tax deposit schedule (filing frequency) in real time.
For everything you need to start a new business in Connecticut, check out the state's online business checklist.
Go to the myconneCT website.
Find the Businesses section and click New Business/Need a CT Registration Number?
Read about what you'll need to register. When you're ready, scroll down and click Next.
Complete all remaining prompts.
New CT Registration Numbers are 12 digits, and the last three digits are always 000. All previous 10 or 11-digit account numbers are still valid and do not need to be changed.
If you have questions, call the agency at (860) 297-5962.
Your company becomes liable for state unemployment insurance tax once the company has:
Paid $1,500 in wages during a calendar quarter
Had at least one Connecticut employee working for any part of the week for 20 or more different weeks during a calendar year
If you need to run payroll but do not yet meet the above requirements, you can still do so. Enter the new employer rate for Connecticut in Gusto for now, and update the rate once you receive it.
Make sure during registration that the Connecticut Department of Labor knows when you plan to become liable.
Note: When creating a ReEmployCT account for the first time, you may be asked for an eight-digit registration number. This is your old Employer Account Number (EAN).
You'll only use your eight-digit registration number to create your new account in the ReEmployCT system.
When entering your eight-digit registration number on the agency website, use the format XX - XXXXX - 0.
For example, if your EAN was 76543210 in the old system, you would enter 76-54321-0.
Once you have a ReEmployCT account, most transactions will require your new ten-digit EAN. Your ten-digit EAN is your old EAN followed by two or three trailing zeros.
For example, if your EAN was 9876543 in the old system, you would enter 98-76543-0-00 in Gusto or when completing a transaction in ReEmployCT.
You should receive your CT Unemployment Number and company-specific unemployment rate instantly, followed by a confirmation letter in the mail within one week.
Learn about registration requirements on the CT Department of Labor website.
Register your business online using the ReEmployCT system.
Select whether you're a new or existing employer, then complete the rest of registration.
If you have questions, call the Employer Status Unit at (860) 263-6550.
Gusto supports Connecticut's Paid Family and Medical Leave program and deducts 0.5% from Connecticut employee payrolls. You still need to register with the Connecticut Paid Leave Authority, but Gusto uses your Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) to file and pay the tax. You do not need to enter the CT PFML account ID in Gusto.
Starting October 1, 2025, Connecticut expanded eligibility for the Paid Leave program to cover non-certified school employees. Employees of public school operators and nonpublic elementary and secondary schools who work in jobs that do not require a professional license are now included.
All covered schools must:
Register with the Connecticut Paid Leave program.
Deduct a 0.5% contribution from the wages of eligible employees.
Send contributions to the state quarterly.
Gusto automatically handles the 0.5% payroll deduction and uses your FEIN to file and pay the tax. You must still register with the state. You do not need to provide a Connecticut PFML account ID.
Employees qualify for benefits if they have:
Worked for the school for at least 12 weeks
Earned at least $2,325 in their highest-earning quarter within the base period
Once you complete registration, take these steps:
Give Gusto third-party access (TPA) so we can help manage your taxes with the agency.
Enter your tax account information in Gusto once you add a valid Connecticut work address for one or more employees.
If you've already registered in Connecticut, you need to enter your tax account details in Gusto. You need to be registered with one or more of the following agencies for Gusto to file and pay taxes on your behalf:
Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (DOR): Handles income tax withholding.
Connecticut Department of Labor (DOL): Handles unemployment tax.
Connecticut Paid Leave Authority: Handles Paid Family and Medical Leave.
If you still need to register, see the Register for CT income, unemployment, and Paid Family and Medical Leave tax on your own section earlier in this article.
Once you add a valid Connecticut work address in Gusto for one or more employees, you can enter your state tax account information.
To add your Connecticut tax account information:
Go to Taxes & compliance, then select Tax setup.
Find Connecticut Tax Setup and select Manage taxes.
Follow the instructions below for each tax type.
Important: If you edit a tax account number after payments or filings have been made, there may be tax implications. Learn how to pull reports in Gusto that can help you correct any historical tax issues related to tax account number updates.
Next to CT Tax Registration Number, click Edit to enter your withholding account number. New CT Registration Numbers are 12 digits, and the last three digits are always 000. All previous 10 or 11-digit account numbers are still valid and do not need to be changed.
Note: You do not need to enter your tax deposit schedule (filing frequency) in Gusto. Gusto defaults to the fastest deposit schedule of weekly for all customers.
Notices from the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services
Your myconneCT account
If you cannot find your account number, contact the agency at (860) 297-5962.
Next to Employer Account Number, click Edit to enter your ten-digit EAN. Use the format ##-#####-0-00.
If you only have a seven-digit number, enter three trailing zeros at the end.
If you have an eight-digit number, enter two trailing zeros at the end.
Notices from the Connecticut Department of Labor
Your ReEmployCT account
If you cannot find your account number, contact the agency at (860) 263-6550.
Next to Unemployment Tax Rate, click Edit to enter your unemployment rate.
Your Statement of Experience Account notice from the Connecticut Department of Labor (the rate appears on the bottom right of the notice)
Your ReEmployCT account
If you cannot find your rate, contact the agency at (860) 263-6550.
If you do not have your assigned rate yet, enter the new employer rate for Connecticut in Gusto in the meantime. Update the rate once you receive it.
Gusto uses your Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) to file and pay the Paid Family and Medical Leave tax. There is no separate account number to enter in Gusto for this program.
If you still need to register, go to the Connecticut Paid Leave Authority registration page.
For Gusto to keep your Connecticut tax information up to date and help troubleshoot tax issues, you need to authorize Gusto as your third-party agent (TPA) for the agencies below:
Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (DOR): Withholding tax.
Connecticut Department of Labor (DOL): Unemployment tax.
Sign in to your myconneCT account.
Click your business name.
Under the Accounts tab, check if Withholding Tax appears. If you do not see it, follow the steps below to add it.
If you do see it, Gusto should be able to get the access needed as long as the following company details match on both the agency and Gusto side: company name, FEIN, and address.
Follow the steps below or use the agency's guide for adding a tax account.
Sign in to your myconneCT account.
Click your business name.
Click Moreβ¦
Under Taxpayer Updates, select Add Additional Accounts and Locations.
Read all the instructions, then click Next.
Select the applicable Registration Reason, then click Next.
Select Income Tax Withholding, then click Next.
Answer the questions on the next page, then click Next.
Click Next again.
Sign with your name and title, then click Submit.
Verify that the company information in Gusto matches exactly what the agency has on file. Compare the information in Gusto against your agency portal, or call the agency at (860) 297-5962.
The following information must match:
Company name
FEIN
Address
To authorize Gusto, you'll first need to set up an account in the ReEmployCT portal. If you need help, call the agency at (860) 263-6470.
Go to the ReEmployCT portal to register or create a user ID and password for already registered employers.
If you created a CT DOL employer account before July 5, 2022: Under Existing Employers, click Create User ID and Password. You'll be asked to enter the first eight digits of your Employer Account Number (EAN). The EAN is your seven-digit registration number from the old system plus a trailing zero.
For example, 12-345-67 becomes 12-34567-0.
If you're a new employer to CT DOL and need to register your business: Under New Employers, click Apply Here.
Gusto handles the rest of the requirements for setting up third-party authorization (TPA).
Once Gusto has access, you'll be able to:
View, file, and amend tax returns
View and make payments
Maintain your addresses
Respond to audits
Close your account
Use this list to find Connecticut's tax forms and where to view each one.
CT UC-5A (Connecticut Correction of EE Quarterly Earnings Report)
Unemployment tax.
CT UC-2 (Connecticut Employer Contribution)
Unemployment tax.
CT 941 (Connecticut Return for Annual Filer)
CT 941 DRS (Connecticut Quarterly W/H Return)
CT W-3 (Connecticut Annual W/H Reconciliation)
State W-2 (Wage and Tax Statement)
CT 941X (Amended Connecticut Reconciliation of Withholding)
New Hire Report
To view these forms, go to Taxes & compliance, then Tax documents, and select the State tab.
To see what we've paid for you, run the Agency payments report.
Use this list to reach Connecticut's payroll tax agencies by phone or website. It covers income tax withholding and unemployment insurance.
Phone numbers and links can change. If one does not work, search the agency's official website for the latest contact info.
Income tax withholding β Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (DRS): (860) 297-5962
Unemployment insurance β Connecticut Department of Labor, Employment Security Division (DOL): (860) 263-6470
If MyCTSavings notifies you about enrollment, you can automate payroll deductions and streamline your plan administration by integrating your company's auto-IRA with Gusto.
Learn how to close or reopen tax accounts.