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PAYROLL TAX REGISTRATION

Texas payroll tax registration

What to set up in Texas 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 June 16, 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. Workers' comp

    Decide whether to carry workers' compensation insurance, and tell each new employee in writing whether you have it

    Deadline
    At hire
    Workers' comp in Texas (Worklio Insurance) (opens in a new tab)
    Source
    www.tdi.texas.gov/wc/employer/index.html (opens in a new tab), checked October 6, 2026
  2. Posters

    Put up the Texas Payday Law (or Unemployment & Payday Law) poster, the Reporting Workplace Violence notice, the workers' comp coverage notice and federal posters

    Deadline
    Before the first employee starts work
    Online
    www.twc.texas.gov/programs/unemployment-tax/posters-workplace (opens in a new tab)
    Source
    www.twc.texas.gov/programs/unemployment-tax/posters-workplace (opens in a new tab), checked September 20, 2026, read from an archived copy dated September 20, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  3. Date depends on the deadline below
    State tax accounts

    Register with TWC in Unemployment Tax Registration (UTR)

    Deadline
    Within 10 days of becoming liable ($1,500 in wages in a quarter or an employee in 20 weeks; nonprofit 501(c)(3): 4 employees in 20 weeks)
    Agency
    Unemployment: Texas Workforce Commission (Unemployment Tax) (opens in a new tab)
    Online
    apps.twc.texas.gov/UITAXREG/security/logon.do (opens in a new tab)
    Source
    www.twc.texas.gov/services/register-tax (opens in a new tab), checked July 11, 2026, read from an archived copy dated July 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  4. New hire reporting

    Report each new hire to the state new hire registry

    Deadline
    Within 20 days of the employee's start date
    Agency
    Office of the Attorney General of Texas, Child Support Division (opens in a new tab)
    Online
    employer.oag.texas.gov/employerportal/s (opens in a new tab)
    Source
    www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/child-support/employers/new-hire-reporting (opens in a new tab), checked October 6, 2026
  5. Workers' comp

    Without workers' comp coverage, file DWC Form-005 with TDI-DWC, then again each year between February 1 and April 30

    Deadline
    Within 30 days of hiring the first employee
    Source
    www.tdi.texas.gov/forms/dwc/dwc005nocovst.pdf (opens in a new tab), checked October 6, 2026
  6. State tax accounts

    File the first quarterly wage report and pay the unemployment tax with it (no deposits). New employers pay the higher of 2.7% or their industry rate

    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
    Texas payroll tax rates
    Source
    www.twc.texas.gov/programs/unemployment-tax/tax-report-payment-due-dates (opens in a new tab), checked June 16, 2026, read from an archived copy dated June 16, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

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 needed in Texas

More on Texas

WORKLIO HCM

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

We help open state accounts when you hire somewhere new, and our registration service can register your employer tax accounts for you. After that, Worklio HCM calculates, deposits and files your payroll taxes, 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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