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PAYROLL TAX REGISTRATION

California payroll tax registration

What to set up in California before the first payroll, in date order, with each agency, online portal and deadline. Enter the first employee's start date and the first pay date to see the dates.

Facts checked on September 20, 2026 against the official sources listed at the end of this page. For employers. General information, not legal or tax advice: confirm a deadline with the agency before you rely on it.

Setup steps before the first payroll

  1. New hire reporting

    Collect Form DE 4 from each employee

    Deadline
    At hire
    Source
    edd.ca.gov/siteassets/files/pdf_pub_ctr/de44.pdf (opens in a new tab), checked October 5, 2026
  2. Workers' comp

    Get workers' compensation coverage

    Deadline
    Before anyone starts work
    Workers' comp in California (Worklio Insurance) (opens in a new tab)
    Source
    leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=LAB&sectionNum=3700 (opens in a new tab), checked October 5, 2026
  3. Posters

    Hang the DIR required postings and the EDD UI/DI/PFL notice

    Deadline
    Before anyone starts work
    Online
    www.dir.ca.gov/wpnodb.html (opens in a new tab)
    Source
    www.dir.ca.gov/wpnodb.html (opens in a new tab), checked September 20, 2026, read from an archived copy dated September 20, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  4. State tax accounts

    Enroll in EDD e-Services for Business and register for one employer payroll tax account number (covers UI, ETT, SDI and PIT withholding)

    Deadline
    Within 15 days of paying more than $100 in wages in a calendar quarter; in practice before the first payroll
    Agency
    Withholding and unemployment: Employment Development Department (EDD) (opens in a new tab)
    Online
    edd.ca.gov/en/payroll_taxes/e-Services_for_Business (opens in a new tab)
    Returns
    Quarterly DE 9 and DE 9C returns. PIT and SDI deposits (DE 88) follow the federal deposit schedule and the PIT accumulated: semi-weekly, next-day, monthly (15th of the following month) or quarterly; UI and ETT are paid quarterly.
    Source
    edd.ca.gov/en/payroll_taxes/step-1-register-as-an-employer/ (opens in a new tab), checked October 5, 2026
  5. New hire reporting

    Report each new hire on Form DE 34

    Deadline
    Within 20 calendar days of the start-of-work date
    Agency
    Employment Development Department (EDD) (opens in a new tab)
    Online
    eddservices.edd.ca.gov/tap/secure/eservices (opens in a new tab)
    Source
    edd.ca.gov/en/payroll_taxes/new_hire_reporting/ (opens in a new tab), checked October 6, 2026
  6. State tax accounts

    File the first DE 9 and DE 9C and pay UI and ETT

    Deadline
    By the last day of the month after the quarter of the first pay date (next business day on a weekend or holiday)January 31, 2027 is a Sunday, so it moves to the next business day.
    Rates
    California payroll tax rates
    Source
    edd.ca.gov/siteassets/files/pdf_pub_ctr/de44.pdf (opens in a new tab), checked October 5, 2026

Federal dates for this pay date

Federal returns follow the compliance calendar, which dates them for every employer:

A 501(c)(3) organization generally owes no FUTA tax and files no Form 940 (Form 940 instructions (opens in a new tab)).

Not confirmed: no official source settled it on the check date, so none is shown.

Also in California

More on California

WORKLIO HCM

Hiring in a new state? We help open the accounts.

We help open state withholding and unemployment accounts when you hire somewhere new, and our registration service can register your employer tax accounts for you: withholding, unemployment and paid leave contributions where the state's tax agency collects them. After that, Worklio HCM calculates, deposits and files your payroll taxes in every state and locality, new-hire state reporting is automatic, and rates and rules update without you noticing.

Registration in other states

Sources

The agency page or document behind each fact, as checked.

General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm current requirements with the relevant agency or your advisor. You remain responsible for registering and for your employment taxes.

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