Mississippi registration and tax info

Gusto partners with CorpNet to help you register your business in new states. 

How it works

Once a work address has been added in a new state and a new employee has been hired and assigned a work address in that state, you can get registration assistance in Gusto.

Pricing varies by state—get started below and during step 4, you'll review the price, process, and estimated timeline to completion.

Here’s a snapshot of the process:

1. We’ll collect some basic business information from you.
2. Gusto and CorpNet will check the information for accuracy.
3. Your registration application(s) are usually submitted within 3-5 business days.
4. Check the mail for registration info—the state will typically send your tax account numbers and rates to you directly.

CorpNet can walk you through entering any info that they themselves do not enter in Gusto on your behalf.

Important reminder: Some state agencies require that Gusto have third-party access (TPA) to your account to file and pay taxes on your behalf—in most cases, CorpNet does not give Gusto this access, so you'll need to do so on your own after registration is complete. For the states you do business in, check out our state registration articles to determine if TPA is required, and how you can set it up on your own.

Get started with state tax registration

1. Sign in to Gusto as an admin.
2. Click the Taxes & compliance section and select Tax setup.
3. Under “[State name] Tax Setup”, click Have us register for you.
   • The state you want to register in will only appear in this location once a work address has been added in a new state and an employee has been assigned a work address in that state.
4. Review the price, process, and estimated timeline to completion.
   • We will not charge you the registration service fee until you send us your order.
5. Click Continue.
6. Answer a couple eligibility questions.
   • Note: Gusto can only register for you if you don't yet have a state account already.
7. Click Save & continue.
8. Enter some company information.
   • We’ll pre-populate the information we already have.
9. Click Save & continue.
10. Tell us about your responsible party–this is the person who is to be held accountable for the company’s good standing and a point of contact within the organization for tax purposes.
    • If you're a nonprofit and run into any issues, check out our FAQ section below for more information.
11. Click Save & continue.
12. Enter some state-specific operational information.
13. Click Save and continue.
14. Review all information thoroughly–if any information is incorrect, it may delay the process.
    • Heads up: State and local agencies may charge additional fees and increase the estimated turnaround time shown. CorpNet will let you know if that happens.
15. Check the box to acknowledge all info is accurate and you agree to the Terms of Service.
16. Click Send registration order.

After you send your order, we’ll email you with status updates and add your order total to your next monthly invoice.

Check the status of your order

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 completed, you can use the link in the state registration confirmation email from Gusto to check the status of your order. 

You can also check the status in your Gusto account:

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

Cancel your order

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

1. Head to the Taxes & compliance section 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 automatically receive a refund within a few business days.

FAQs

Q: Can I run payroll for my employees before my registration is complete?

A: In most cases, you can run payroll before all state tax information is added in Gusto. As long as the info that is immediately required is completed—typically your tax rate(s) and deposit frequency—you'll be able to run payroll. 

Important reminders

• Until we have all tax account numbers, we're unable to submit payments and filings on your behalf.
• If you run payroll before you've completed registration with the necessary agencies and entered the info in Gusto, you may get agency-notices as a result of late tax payments/filings.
  • Any penalty or interest that may occur is the company's responsibility to pay.

If you’re registering in a state where there is no income tax withheld, you can use the state-specific “new employer rate” in this article until you receive your company-assigned rate from the agency.

Q: Can I use Gusto to register in a new state if I don't have a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) yet, or if the business is undergoing a merger or acquisition?

A: No–you must have a FEIN entered in Gusto to order a state tax registration.

If your company is going through a merger or being acquired, CorpNet cannot assist with registration. Work with your tax advisor and state agencies directly to navigate this change and register your business.

Q: Where can I see all my tax information?

A: You can see all tax details in the following locations: 

• Gusto–head to the Taxes & compliance and select Tax setup, and scroll to the applicable state tax setup.
• CorpNet–create a CorpNet account and login at any time to review information.
• State online account–once you’ve gained access to your agency accounts, your tax details will also be available there.
• Some agencies issue tax details by mail. If this is the case, CorpNet will notify you, and you'll need to enter this information into Gusto directly.

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 yet (referring to the minimum wage threshold in some states)?

A: In order for CorpNet to start the registration process for 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 the employee(s) to first make $1500.

Q: Can I register with CorpNet if the responsible party is based internationally and does not have an ITIN/SSN?

A: CorpNet may be able to assist directly—reach out to [email protected] or call 1(888) 449-2638.

Q: My company is a nonprofit—why can't I enter 0% in the responsible party section, or add a commercial owner?

A: Some states have a 1% minimum for the responsible party ownership percentage. Those states are: ID, KS, MN, OH, SC, DC, DE, MD, NJ, NY, and RI. Registration orders will need to be placed directly through CorpNet, outside of Gusto, or you'll need to register directly with the agency yourself.

Some states require that an individual owner be listed on the account. If you're a non-profit and not sure how to proceed, contact CorpNet directly at [email protected] or call 1(888) 449-2638.

Q: Does CorpNet help with giving Gusto any required third-party access (TPA) needed to file and pay taxes?

A: Some state agencies require that Gusto have third-party access (TPA) to your account to file and pay taxes on your behalf—in most cases, CorpNet does not give Gusto this access, so you'll need to do so on your own after registration is complete. For the states you do business in, check out our state registration articles to determine if TPA is required, and how you can set it up on your own.

Q:  Does CorpNet help with state tax account closures?

A: No—you'll need to close the tax account on your own.

Income tax withholding

1. Register with the 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.

After registration is complete, you should receive the following instantly:

• Your withholding account number and;
• Your filing frequency

Registration for other tax types, like Sales & Use tax, may take longer. If you have questions, call the DOR at (601) 923-7700. 

Enter the tax account information in Gusto

1. Head to the Taxes & compliance section of your account and select Tax setup.
2. Scroll to the "Mississippi Tax Setup" headline and click edit.
3. Enter your Withholding Account ID.
4. Enter your Withholding filing status.
   • Tip: Brand new employers in Mississippi are typically assigned a Monthly filing frequency for their first two years, and then they can request approval to pay quarterly.
5. Click Save.

Unemployment tax

Most companies are liable for state unemployment when they have paid $1500 in wages in a calendar quarter or had one employee in some portion of a day in each of 20 different calendar weeks in a calendar year. You can check if you are liable and register with the Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES) online.

Register your company

You should receive your MDES Employer Account Number and tax rate instantly after registering online, or in 3 days if registering by mail. 

1. Head to the Mississippi Department of Employment Security website.
2. Scroll down and click Register a New Business—or click here.

To enter your account number and rate in Gusto:

1. Head to the Taxes & compliance section of your account and select Tax setup.
2. Scroll to the "Mississippi Tax Setup" headline and click edit.
3. Enter your unemployment account number.
4. Enter your unemployment contribution rate.
   • Important: Do not enter the training rate when inputting your UI contribution rate in Gusto.
5. Click Save.

If you're unsure of your account number or rate, call the agency at (601) 321-6000.

Click here to view state-by-state new employer rates and wage bases (not company-specific).

Third party authorization (TPA) is recommended

Withholding account ID (tax account ID number) and filing status

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.

Enter the tax account information in Gusto

1. Head to the Taxes & compliance section of your account and select Tax setup.
2. Scroll to the "Mississippi Tax Setup" headline and click edit.
3. Enter your Withholding Account ID.
4. Enter your Withholding filing status.
   • Tip: Brand new employers in Mississippi are typically assigned a Monthly filing frequency for their first two years, and then they can request approval to pay quarterly.
5. Click Save.

Unemployment tax

You can find your MDES employer account number (EAN) by:

• Reviewing notices received 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.

To enter your account number and rate in Gusto:

1. Head to the Taxes & compliance section of your account and select Tax setup.
2. Scroll to the "Mississippi Tax Setup" headline and click edit.
3. Enter your unemployment account number.
4. Enter your unemployment contribution rate.
   • Important: Do not enter the training rate when inputting your UI contribution rate in Gusto.
5. Click Save.

Click here to view state-by-state new employer rates and wage bases (not company-specific).

Third party authorization (TPA) is recommended

• Annual Information Return (89-140)
• Employer's Withholding Tax Return (89-105)*
• Wage and Tax Statement (State W2)
• Employer's Quarterly Wage Report (UI-2)
• MS New Hire Report

Where to find the forms available in your account

Head to the Taxes & compliance section and select Tax documents.

Use the tabs on the page to toggle between federal, state, W-2, and 1099 forms.

Asterisk info—only if applicable

Filings marked with an asterisk (*) will not appear in your Tax documents tab—these are coupons, payment vouchers, or other forms that are filed electronically.

You can confirm tax payments were made by running an agency payments report.

• Mississippi Department of Revenue (601) 923-7700
• Mississippi Department of Employment Security (601) 321-6000