Having payroll issues? Learn how to troubleshoot blocked payroll.
Before you can pay employees in a new state, you must register with the state’s tax agencies. This lets you file and pay the right taxes.
🎥 Watch a quick video to learn how registering in a new state works
📚 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.
Gusto works with Middesk to register your business for state tax accounts when you hire employees or start working in a new state. We set up state income tax withholding and state unemployment insurance so we can run payroll and file taxes on your behalf.
We can start your registration after all of these are true:
You added a company work address in the new state.
You assigned that address to a new or existing employee.
You checked your Gusto Home page for a registration to-do.
If required, you registered with preliminary state agencies (like the Secretary of State or Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs) first and confirmed it's done.
States that require SOS registration before tax setup: Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, and Vermont.
Middesk cannot help with registration if your business is:
A non-profit that is not a 501(c)(3)
A business that left a PEO
A business that bought another business that was already registered
A business that changed its legal entity type (for example, LLC to Corp)
A Limited Partnership (LP) or Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)
You must also:
Have a FEIN in Gusto
Not already have a tax account in that state
If you already registered with the state, Middesk will cancel the order and you will not be charged.
Included
Middesk registers your business for:
State income tax withholding
State unemployment insurance (SUI)
Not included
Middesk does not register your business for:
Local tax agency registration
Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) registration
Third-Party Agent (TPA) access
Power of Attorney (POA) authorization
Some states require TPA or POA for Gusto to file and pay taxes. In most cases, you must set this up yourself after registration. If you need to register for local taxes or PFML, or set up TPA or POA, use the state-specific article for step-by-step instructions.
The cost, steps, and timeline depend on the state. Before you submit anything in Gusto, we show you:
The price
What is included
How long registration usually takes
You are not charged until the order is marked as completed. The charge appears on your next Gusto monthly invoice.
You can also visit the Middesk Help Center to see estimated processing times for each state.
Here is what to expect when Middesk handles your registration:
You answer questions about your business, including:
Basic company info
Contact details
Addresses
Owner or officer info
State-specific details
Middesk reviews your information.
Middesk usually submits your registration within two business days.
A state agency may contact you to verify the request.
⚠️ Important: If you do not respond to a verification call or email within 3–5 business days, the order may be canceled and refunded.
After your order is marked as complete, we add the charge to your next Gusto monthly invoice.
When Middesk receives your tax account numbers, they enter them in Gusto (for most states and agencies). You will get emails from Gusto and Middesk with updates and next steps.
For most states, Middesk receives agency mail during registration and adds your tax info to Gusto. You can view this mail in a digital mailbox. After registration is complete, the agency updates its mailing address to your business address. If you need to take action, we will notify you by email or Home page to-do.
States that mail tax account info directly to your business: Alabama, Arizona, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Washington, Washington DC, and West Virginia. When you receive the letter, check your email for instructions on how to send the info to Middesk.
You can run payroll before registration finishes. However:
Gusto cannot file or pay taxes until all tax account numbers are added.
You may receive late notices or penalties. These are your responsibility.
For unemployment tax, use your state’s new employer rate until you receive the correct one.
Note: You can cancel orders before they are sent to Middesk. Once an order is submitted to Middesk, it cannot be canceled or refunded.
If you need help with any of the registration questions, check Middesk’s Help Center.
In your web browser:
Go to Taxes & Compliance → Tax setup.
Find [State name] Tax Setup.
Click Learn more under “Let us help you register.”
Review the price, process, and timeline. We do not charge you until after your order is complete.
Click Get started on Middesk.
Review everything carefully before submitting. Mistakes can delay registration.
In the Gusto mobile app:
Open the Gusto mobile app and sign in.
In the bottom-right corner, tap More.
Select Taxes & compliance.
Scroll down to Quick links and choose Setup tax accounts.
Scroll down to [State name] tax setup. Tap Learn more.
Review the process, timeline, and pricing. We do not charge you until after your order is complete.
Tap Get started on Middesk.
Share your business information and review everything carefully before submitting. Mistakes can delay registration.
To check your Middesk registration status in Gusto:
Go to Taxes & Compliance → Tax setup.
Find the state and view the status.
Possible statuses include:
Tax registration in progress
We need more information
The state is working on your order
Your registration is complete
Your order is on hold (often due to state requirements)
You have existing tax accounts
We could not complete your registration
If you entered the wrong eligibility date, email [email protected].
Some states require Gusto to have TPA or POA on file before we can file and pay taxes. Middesk usually does not set this up.
Check the state-specific registration article to see if TPA or POA is required for your state.
If there is no TPA or POA section in the state article, it is not needed right now.
If TPA or POA requires an agency portal:
If Middesk creates the agency account during registration, you will find the login details in Gusto: go to Taxes & Compliance → Tax setup after registration.
If Middesk does not create the account but the state requires portal access, you must create the account yourself.
You can only cancel an order before it is submitted to Middesk. Once submitted, orders cannot be canceled or refunded.
To cancel your order:
Go to Taxes & Compliance, select Tax Setup, and scroll to the applicable state.
In the Finish your [state] registration order banner, select Cancel order.
Q: Do I need a FEIN to use Gusto’s registration service?
A: Yes. You must have a FEIN to register through Gusto. If your business is merging or being acquired, Middesk cannot help with registration.
Q: Why can’t I enter 0% ownership or add a commercial owner?
A: Some states require a minimum ownership percentage or an individual owner. If your situation does not meet state rules, you will need to register outside of Gusto.
Q: What if the responsible party is international without an SSN or ITIN?
A: Middesk cannot help in this case. You will need to register directly with the state.
Q: What if I’m not liable for unemployment tax yet?
A: Use today’s date or the expected liability date. Use the new employer rate until you get your company-specific rate.
Q: I need to change information I already submitted. What do I do?
A: Email [email protected].
Q: What if the tax agency contacts me?
A: Respond right away, within 3–5 business days. Missing a verification call or email can cancel your registration order.
Q: When will my tax account numbers be available?
A: Timelines vary by state. Check Middesk’s guidance for estimates.
Q: Can Middesk close my state tax accounts?
A: No. You must close accounts directly with the state.
Visit the Middesk Help Center for help with registration-specific questions.
Contact Gusto from the ( ? ) in your account for all other payroll or tax setup help.
Expand the sections below to learn how to register with state agencies.
You'll work with the following Nevada agencies when registering for payroll taxes:
Nevada Department of Employment, Training & Rehabilitation (DETR): Handles unemployment tax.
Nevada Department of Taxation: Handles Modified Business Tax (MBT).
If you have to pay Nevada unemployment tax, you also have to pay the Modified Business Tax (MBT).
When you sign up for SUI (State Unemployment Insurance), you'll automatically be signed up for the MBT with the Nevada Department of Taxation:
You'll get your SUI tax account number right away if you register online, or within 30 days if you register by mail.
You'll get your MBT account number in your New Nevada Employer Welcome Package.
Learn more about how Gusto calculates the MBT tax.
Go to the NUI Employer Self Service portal.
Under Registration, click Register New Business for Unemployment Insurance.
Review the information needed to complete registration, then click Next.
View the User Agreement and click OK.
Check the box to acknowledge you have read and accept the User Agreement.
Click Next.
Fill in all required company details, then submit your registration.
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 Nevada work address for one or more employees.
If you've already registered in Nevada, 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:
Nevada Department of Employment, Training & Rehabilitation (DETR): Handles unemployment tax.
Nevada Department of Taxation: Handles Modified Business Tax (MBT).
If you still need to register, see the Register for NV unemployment and Modified Business Tax on your own section earlier in this article.
Once you add a valid Nevada work address in Gusto for one or more employees, you can enter your state tax account information.
To add your Nevada tax account information:
Go to Taxes & compliance, then select Tax setup.
Find Nevada 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 Employer Account Number, click Edit to enter your nine-digit unemployment account number.
Your online agency portal
If you cannot find your account number, contact the agency at (775) 684-6310, Ext. 1.
Next to Unemployment Insurance Rate, click Edit to enter your UI rate.
Note: Do not include the Nevada Career Enhancement Program (CEP) rate of 0.05% when entering your rate into Gusto. We automatically add this rate.
Your Notice of Employer's Contribution Rates from the Nevada Department of Employment, Training & Rehabilitation
If you cannot find your rate, contact the agency at (775) 684-6310, Ext. 1.
If you do not have your assigned rate yet, enter the new employer rate for Nevada in Gusto in the meantime. Update the rate once you receive it.
Next to MBT Business Type, click Edit to enter your business type. Choose from General business or Financial institution.
Financial institutions have an adjusted MBT rate. Common cases of financial institutions are investment banks and loan holding companies.
Your New Nevada Employer Welcome Package
If you cannot find your MBT number, contact the agency at (866) 962-3707.
Learn more about how Gusto calculates the MBT tax.
Third-party authorization is required for two Nevada agencies:
Nevada Department of Employment, Training & Rehabilitation (DETR):
Required for unemployment tax.
Nevada Department of Taxation:
Required for Modified Business Tax (MBT).
The Nevada Department of Employment, Training & Rehabilitation (DETR) requires Gusto to have access to your unemployment account. This allows us to file and pay your taxes, help keep your tax information up to date, and troubleshoot issues.
Gusto will send a request for access.
On your Home page in Gusto, look for the task Give Gusto access to Nevada Department of Employment, Training & Rehabilitation.
Once you have the task, sign in to your NUI Employer Self Service portal.
Complete the multi-factor security check.
From the top menu, click Action Center.
View and approve Gusto's pending request.
Return to Gusto:
On your Home page, click the same task.
Check the box to confirm you approved Gusto's access.
Click Submit.
If Gusto cannot get authorization, we'll notify you.
If you do not see a pending request from Gusto in the portal, follow the instructions in the section below.
Complete the multifactor security process.
From the menu at the top, click the More… tab.
Under Access Management, click Grant Third Party Access.
Click Next.
Enter the following email address for Gusto, twice: [email protected].
Enter the company's Nevada Employer Account Number (EAN). This gives Gusto access for that EAN specifically.
Check the box for Tax. Do not select Claims or Appeals because Gusto does not support these functions.
From the dropdown, select File Returns and Make Payments.
Click Next.
Click Submit.
Download the confirmation page, or click OK to exit.
Return to Gusto:
On your Home page, click the same task.
Check the box to confirm you approved Gusto's access.
Click Submit.
If Gusto cannot get authorization, we'll notify you.
If you also pay Modified Business Tax, see the next section to authorize Gusto with the Department of Taxation.
Note: The Nevada Department of Taxation is a separate agency from the Department of Employment, Training & Rehabilitation (DETR). TPA granted in the DETR portal does not apply to Modified Business Tax (MBT). You must grant Gusto access in the My Nevada Tax portal as well.
Authorizing Gusto with the Department of Taxation allows us to file and pay your Modified Business Tax, help keep your tax information up to date, and troubleshoot issues.
Before you start
You must first register with the Nevada Department of Taxation and gain access to your company in the My Nevada Tax portal. If you still need to register, see the Register for NV unemployment and Modified Business Tax on your own section earlier in this article.
To authorize Gusto:
Sign in to your My Nevada Tax portal.
From the main dashboard, find the Welcome box in the top-right corner.
Click Manage My Profile.
On the Manage My Profile page, click the More… tab at the end of the sub-menu.
Under Access Management select Manage Third Party Access.
At the top right of the Third Party Logons table, click Send an Invitation.
On the Send an Access Invitation screen, enter Gusto's email address in both fields: [email protected].
Click Next.
Click Grant Access next to Modified Business Tax
In the Grant Access pop-up, select:
Type of Access: File Returns and Make Payments
Access Period: All Periods
Click OK on the Access Granted pop-up confirming Gusto's third-party access.
Review the updated access status, then click Next.
On the Confirm Invitation screen, verify:
Recipient email is [email protected]
Access info shows your company name and MBT account ID.
Click Submit.
A confirmation message appears: "An access invitation has been sent... The invitation will expire after ___."
Click OK to finish.
If you do not see the Modified Business Tax account in step 8, confirm your MBT account is active in the My Nevada Tax portal before retrying.
For help locating your MBT account ID, see the MBT Business Type section earlier in this article.
Gusto helps Nevada customers with the General Modified Business Tax (MBT), but this tax is tricky to calculate and needs a special reconciliation payroll at the end of each quarter.
Learn about MBT registration in the Register for NV unemployment and Modified Business Tax on your own section earlier in this article.
If the total taxable wages for a quarter, after subtracting health benefits paid by the employer, are:
$50,000 or less: You owe $0 in MBT.
More than $50,000: You'll pay tax on the amount over $50,000 using the current year's tax rate.
At the end of the quarter, Gusto runs a reconciliation payroll to:
Look at the total gross wages for Nevada unemployment minus health benefits paid by the employer.
Subtract $50,000 from that total.
Pay tax on the amount using the current tax rate on behalf of the company.
We'll email you with the exact tax amount that will be withdrawn from the company bank account after we process the reconciliation payroll.
Total wages for the quarter (after health care deductions paid by the employer): $101,000
Example rate: 1.17% (find the current rate here)
Reconciliation payroll calculation: $596.70
Calculation: ($101,000 - $50,000) x 0.0117
Amount withdrawn from the company bank for taxes owed: $596.70
For more details, visit the Nevada Department of Taxation's website.
NUCS-4072 (Employer's Quarterly Contribution and Wage Report)
TXR-020.04( Modified Business Tax Return)
Quarterly Bond Contributions Report (Bond Report)
Ended in 2017
NV New Hire Report
You can view forms in Taxes & Compliance, then Tax documents. Switch between the tabs to find federal, state, W-2s, and 1099s.
Some forms show an asterisk (*). Forms like payment vouchers or coupons that were filed electronically may not show in your Gusto account. Sign in to the agency's portal to view filings and payments.
To see what Gusto has paid for you, run the Agency Payments report.
Revenue Agency: Nevada Department of Taxation (DOT)
Phone: (866) 962-3707
Workforce or Labor Agency: Nevada Department of Employment, Training & Rehabilitation (DETR)
Phone: (775) 684-6322, ext. 1
Learn how to close or reopen tax accounts.