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Indiana New Employer Information

Congratulations on your decision to become an Indiana new employer! You will need a few things in place before you run your first payroll:

Federal and State Tax Accounts

Federal Tax Accounts:

Apply for an EIN View Details

Your business will need to have an Employer Identification Number (also known as an EIN or FEIN), if you do not already have one.
The simplest way is to apply for an EIN with the IRS online. There is no cost to apply for an EIN.
To read more about applying for EINs, read our help article, “Your Step-by-step Guide on How to Apply for EIN”.

Enroll in EFTPS View Details

Although it is not required, we recommend you enroll in the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS). You can register online for the EFTPS.
To find out more about EFTPS, read our article, “What Is EFTPS?”

State of Indiana Tax Accounts:

Register With Indiana Department of Revenue View Details

Indiana new employers can register online for a state income tax (SIT) withholding account, as well as other tax accounts. This registration provides the required BT-1 Business Tax Application.
A checklist of the needed information to complete the registration is available here.
Indiana counties have local income taxes that are collected by the state.

Register With Indiana Department of Workforce Development View Details

You can apply online for a state unemployment insurance (SUI) account using the Employer Self-Service tool, Uplink. For more information about the Uplink Employer Self-Service tool, visit the Department of Workforce Development.

Get Your SUTA Rate View Details

The Indiana new employer SUTA rate for 2023 is 2.5% for non-construction employers. New employers in Indiana are not subject to the state solvency surcharge.
Every year, your business will be assigned a new SUTA rate based on your business type and history with unemployment (merit rating). For more information, visit the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.
For more information, read, “What Is SUTA Tax?”

Setting Up Your New Employee:

Fill Out Form I-9 View Details

Have your employees fill out the top portion of Form I-9. Employers fill out the second half of the Form I-9. To learn more, read, “Form I-9 In a Nutshell”.
You must keep each employee’s completed Form I-9 as long as the individual works for you. For more information, read “What Should Be in an Employee File?”

Have Employee Fill Out Federal Form W-4 View Details

Have your new employee fill out Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Certificate for federal income taxes (FIT).
For more information, read our help article, “Updates to the Income Tax Withholding Tables and What You Need to Know”

Have Employee Fill Out State Form WH-4 View Details

Have employees fill out Form WH-4 Indiana Employee Withholding Exemption and County Status Certificate.
Please note, your employee’s taxes will be determined by where they lived January 1st of the tax filing year. We recommend verifying employees January 1st residence every year.

Report New Hires View Details

Indiana employers are required to report all new hires within 20 days from the date of hire or rehire. You can report your new employees online with the Indiana New Hire Reporting Center.
For more information, read, “What Is New Hire Reporting?”

Meet Minimum Wage Requirements View Details

Indiana employers must follow the federal minimum wage rate of $7.25 per hour.
You need to display federal the minimum wage poster where your employees can read it.

Once you have all the necessary information, you will be able to set up your payroll for your business. For more details, read, “What Information Is Needed to Set Up Payroll?”

Keep employee payroll records for at least three years. For more information, read our help article, “What Employers Should Know About Employee Payroll Records.”

Let us know if you have any questions. We are here to help!

Disclaimer: This is not an all-inclusive list for new employers. Check with the state and federal government for more information.

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