Mississippi registration and tax info

What you need to do

• Add a new work address in Gusto for a different state, and;
• Hire an employee and assign them to that address.

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

1. You give us some basic business information.
2. Gusto and CorpNet will check your info.
3. Your registration is usually submitted within 3–5 business days.
4. Watch for mail with your tax account numbers and rates from the state. The state usually sends your tax account numbers and rates directly to you.
   
   • Heads up: If CorpNet doesn’t enter some information into Gusto, they can show you how to do it yourself.

Third-Party Agent (TPA) authorization reminder

Some state agencies need Gusto to have TPA access to file and pay your taxes. Usually, CorpNet doesn’t 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 isn't needed right now.

Prices vary by state. You can see the cost, process, and how long it takes in step four below.

1. Sign in to Gusto as an admin.
2. Go to Taxes & compliance and click Tax setup.
3. Under “[State name] Tax Setup”, click Have us register for you.
   • The state will only show up if you’ve added a company work address there and assigned an employee to it.
4. Look at the price, process, and how long it will take.
   
   • We will not charge you until you send in your order.
5. Click Continue.
6. Answer a few questions to see if you're eligible.
   • We can only register for you if you do not already have a state account.
7. Click Save & continue.
8. Enter some company information (we'll fill in what we already know).
9. Click Save & continue.
10. Tell us who the responsible party is. This is the person in charge of the company’s tax matters and good standing. 
    • If you're a nonprofit and need help, check our FAQs below.
11. Click Save & continue.
12. Enter some state-specific operational information.
13. Click Save and continue.
14. Review all info carefully. Mistakes can delay things. 
    • Heads up: State and local agencies might add fees or take longer than expected. CorpNet will notify you if that happens.
15. Check the box to confirm all your info is correct and agree to the Terms of Service.
16. Click Send registration order.
    • We’ll email you with order updates and add the cost to your next monthly bill.

Some reminders

• You need to give Gusto third-party access (TPA) to your tax accounts. CorpNet doesn’t do this for you.
  • 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 isn't needed right now.
• Watch your mail for registration info. The state will send you your tax account numbers and rates.
  • CorpNet can help you enter tax info into Gusto, but they won’t do it for you.

When your order is complete, you’ll receive emails from both Gusto and CorpNet. They’ll detail the next steps, which include:

• Reviewing registration details
• Any other state-specific instructions

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:

1. Click Taxes & compliance and select Tax setup.
2. Scroll to the state's headline.
3. Click Check the status of your registration.

If your order is still in progress, you can cancel from your Gusto account:

1. Click Taxes & compliance and select Tax setup.
2. Scroll to the state's headline.
3. Click Check the status of your registration.
4. On the right-side of the page, under “Changed your mind?”, click Cancel your order.
5. Let us know why you're canceling.
6. Click Cancel your order.

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

• We cannot submit tax payments or filings until all tax account numbers are added.
• If you run payroll before finishing registration, you might get notices about late tax payments or filings. Any penalties are your responsibility.
• If you’re only registering for unemployment tax and don’t have your rate yet, use the new employer rate for your state in Gusto until you get the correct one. Update the rate once you get it.

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: 

• In Gusto: Go to Taxes & compliance and click Tax setup, then scroll to state tax setup.
• In CorpNet: Create an account and sign in to see your info.
• In your state’s online portal: Find your account details there.
• By mail: Some agencies send tax info by mail. If that happens, CorpNet will let you know, and you'll need to enter this info in Gusto.

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:

• Use today’s date as the first date the employee(s) in the new state will be paid. 
• Enter the start date of the quarter you expect to meet the liability threshold.
  • Check the state’s liability info in the Register on your own section (go to the SUI dropdown). If there’s no info, contact the state agency directly.

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 call 1(888) 449-2638.

Q: Why can’t I 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 call 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 doesn’t 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 isn't needed right now.

Q: Does CorpNet help close state tax accounts?

A: No, you'll need to close the tax account yourself.

• Mississippi Department of Revenue – withholding tax
• Mississippi Department of Employment Security – unemployment tax

After you register for a withholding income tax account, you should instantly get:

• Your withholding account number, and;
• Your filing frequency

Registration for other tax types, like Sales & Use tax, may take longer. 

Register for income tax withholding

1. Register with the MS Department of Revenue (DOR) online.
2. Scroll to the “Apply Online” tile, and click Apply for Tax Accounts, Liquor Permits, Amusement Decals.
3. Click Register a New Taxpayer.
4. Complete the remaining prompts.

If you have questions, call the DOR at (601) 923-7700. 

We recommend giving Gusto third-party authorization (TPA) for the DOR so we can file amended returns (if needed).

Enter the tax account information in Gusto

After a work address in Mississippi is assigned to one or more employees, you can add your tax account information:

1. Head to the Taxes & compliance section of your account and select Tax setup.
2. Scroll to the "Mississippi Tax Setup" headline and select Manage taxes.
3. Next to "Withholding Tax Account Number" click Edit. This account number is usually eight digits. 
   • If you edit a tax account number after payments or filings have already 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.
4. Next to “Filing Frequency” click Edit and enter your withholding filing frequency.
   • Tip: New employers in Mississippi are typically assigned a Monthly filing frequency for their first two years, and can request approval to pay quarterly.
5. Click Save.

Most companies are required to pay Mississippi unemployment insurance tax once the company has:

• Paid $1500 in wages during a calendar quarter or;
• Had at least one Mississippi-employee working for any part of the week, for 20 or more different weeks during a calendar year.

Your business type (general, non-profit, etc) can impact when the company is responsible for paying this tax.

You can check if you're liable (and register) with the Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES) online.

Running payroll in Gusto before you're required to pay unemployment tax

If you need to run payroll and do not yet meet the above requirements, Gusto allows it. Enter the "new employer rate" for Mississippi in Gusto for now, and update the rate once you get it.

Register for unemployment tax with the Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES)

You'll get your Employer Account Number (EAN) and unemployment tax rate instantly after registering online, or in three days if you register by mail. 

1. Go to the MDES website.
2. Scroll down and click Register a New Business. 
3. Fill out some basic info and click Next.
4. Complete the rest of the prompts and submit the registration. 

Enter the tax account information in Gusto

After a work address in Mississippi is assigned to one or more employees, you can add your tax account information:

1. Head to the Taxes & compliance section of your account and select Tax setup.
2. Scroll to the "Mississippi Tax Setup" headline and select Manage taxes.
3. Next to "MDES Employer Account Number (EAN)" click Edit and Enter your unemployment account number.
   
   • If you edit a tax account number after payments or filings have already 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.
4. Next to "UI Contribution Rate" click Edit and enter your unemployment contribution rate. Do not enter the training rate in Gusto.
   • Learn how to update your rate.
5. Click Save.

If you do not know your account number or tax rate, call the agency at (601) 321-6000.

If you've run payroll in Mississippi in the past, you can find your Tax Account ID Number and Withholding Filing Status by:

• Reviewing notices that you've received from the Mississippi Department of Revenue or;
• Calling the agency at (601) 923-7700.

We recommend giving Gusto third-party authorization (TPA) for the MS DOR so we can file amended returns (if needed).

Employer Account Number (EAN)

You can find your MDES Employer Account Number (EAN) by:

• Looking at notices from the Mississippi Department of Employment Security.
  • Example: The "Registration Notification Letter" or "Quarterly Contribution Report (Form UI-2)".
• Calling the agency at (601) 321-6000.

UI Contribution Rate

If you've run payroll in Mississippi before, you can find your UI Contribution Rate by:

• Reviewing the "Contribution Tax Rate Notice" that is sent out by the Mississippi Department of Employment Security or;
• Verifying your rate by calling your Tax Field Representative.

After a work address in Mississippi is assigned to one or more employees, you can add your tax account information:

1. Head to the Taxes & compliance section of your account and select Tax setup.
2. Scroll to the "Mississippi Tax Setup" headline and select Manage taxes.
3. Click edit.
4. Next to "Withholding Tax Account Number" click Edit. This account number is usually eight digits. 
   • If you edit a tax account number after payments or filings have already 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.
5. Next to “Filing Frequency” click Edit and enter your withholding filing frequency.
   • Tip: New employers in Mississippi are typically assigned a Monthly filing frequency for their first two years, and can request approval to pay quarterly.
6. Next to "MDES Employer Account Number (EAN)" click Edit and Enter your unemployment account number.
   
   • If you edit a tax account number after payments or filings have already 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.
7. Next to "UI Contribution Rate" click Edit and enter your unemployment contribution rate. Do not enter the training rate in Gusto.
   
   • If you do not have your assigned rate yet, enter the new employer rate for Mississippi in Gusto for now. Update the rate once you get it.
   • Learn how to update your rate.
8. Click Save.