Congratulations on your decision to become a new employer in Idaho! You will need a few things in place before you run your first payroll. For Idaho employer registration help, check out our partner, CorpNet.
Federal and Idaho State Tax Accounts
Federal Tax Accounts
Apply for an EIN
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
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?”
Idaho State Tax Accounts
Register as a New Employer in Idaho
You can easily register online with
By registering with the Idaho Business Registration System, you can apply for both the state income tax (SIT) for payroll withholding and your state unemployment insurance (SUI) tax account for your business.
Find Your State Unemployment Rate
Idaho’s new employers use the “standard” state unemployment tax rate of 1.000% for 2026 which includes the following:
UI (SUTA) rate: 0.97000%
Admin Rate: 0.0000%
Workforce Rate: 0.0300%
These rates will be entered separately in Patriot Software.
You will be given a new unemployment (UI) rate, Admin rate, and Workforce rate every year determined by the Idaho Department of Labor and based on your industry and experience. Visit the Idaho Department of Labor for more information.
To learn more, read “What Is SUTA Tax?”
State-mandated Insurance
Sign up for Workers’ Comp Insurance
You must have workers’ comp insurance if you have at least 1 employee in Idaho. You can sign up for workers’ comp insurance through a private provider or state-operated fund. Learn more about workers’ comp requirements in Idaho here.
Patriot’s online payroll offers free pay as you go (PAYG) workers’ comp integration with our partner, ERGO NEXT Insurance. You can get a free quote with ERGO NEXT here.
Setting Up Your New Employee
Fill Out Form I-9
Fill out the required Form I-9. This is a two-part form to be filled out by employee and employer.
For more information, read our help article, “Form I-9 In a Nutshell”.
You must retain 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
Have your new employee fill out Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Certificate for federal income taxes.
For more information, read our help article, “What Is a W-4 Form, and What Is it Used for?”
Have Employee Fill Out State Form ID W-4
Have employees fill out Form ID W-4 Idaho Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate for Idaho state income taxes.
Report New Hires
Employers are required by law to report new employees within 20 days from the date of hire or rehire.
You can report your new employees online through Idaho’s New Hire Directory.
For more information, read, “What Is New Hire Reporting?”
Meet Minimum Wage Requirements
Idaho employers follow the federal minimum wage rate of $7.25 per hour.
You need to display the federal minimum wage poster for your employees where they can read it.
Obtain Labor Law Posters
Get annual posters and all federal, state, county, and city labor law updates with Patriot’s labor law poster store, powered by PosterElite!
Once you have all the necessary information, you will be able to set up your payroll for your business.
You will be required to 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!
This is not an all-inclusive list for new employers. Please check with your state and federal governments for full compliance.