Congratulations on your decision to become a new employer in Connecticut! You will need a few things in place before you run your first payroll. For Connecticut employer registration help, check out our partner, CorpNet.
Federal and Connecticut 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?”
Connecticut State Tax Accounts
Register With CT Department of Revenue Services
Connecticut new employers can apply online through the state’s MyConnect secure website to obtain a Connecticut withholding account number.
You will need this to process your state income tax (SIT) withholding.
If you have any questions, you can contact the Department of Revenue Services.
Register With Connecticut Department of Labor
New employers in Connecticut will also need to register online with the Connecticut Department of Labor for a state unemployment insurance (SUI) tax account through the state’s online secure portal ReEmployCT.
Register With Connecticut Paid Leave Authority
New employers in Connecticut must register with the CT Paid Leave Authority for paid family leave. You can register for Connecticut PFMLA on the state website.
Get Your SUTA Rate
The Connecticut new employer SUTA rate is 1.9% for 2026. For more information, visit the CTDOL.
The Connecticut Department of Labor will assign your business a new unemployment tax assessment (SUTA) rate every year.
For more information about SUTA, read, “What Is SUTA Tax?”
State-mandated Requirements
Sign up for Workers’ Comp Insurance
You must have workers’ comp insurance if you have at least 1 employee in Connecticut. You can sign up for workers’ comp insurance through a private provider or state-operated fund. Learn more about workers’ comp requirements in Connecticut 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.
Offer a Qualifying Retirement Plan
Connecticut requires that employers with 5 or more employees paid more than $5,000 each per year enroll in MyCTSavings or offer a qualifying plan alternative.
Patriot has partnered with Vestwell to offer affordable retirement plans for small businesses that integrate with our payroll software. Learn more here.
Setting Up Your New Employee
Fill Out Form I-9
Your employees will need to fill out the required Form I-9 for work eligibility. For more information, read, “Form I-9 In a Nutshell”.
You will need to 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
Have your new employee fill out Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Certificate. This will be used 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 CT-W4
Have your new employee fill out Form CT-W4, State of Connecticut Employee’s Withholding Certificate. This is used for Connecticut state income withholding (SIT).
Report New Hires
Report all new hires online with the Connecticut Department of Labor’s Online New Hire Reporting System within 20 days from the date of hire or rehire.
For more information, read “What Is New Hire Reporting?”
Meet Minimum Wage Requirements
Connecticut’s minimum wage is $16.94 for 2026.
You need to display the 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 need to keep employee payroll records for a minimum of three years. For more information, read our help article, “What Employers Should Know About Employee Payroll Records”
This is not an all-inclusive list and employers should contact their state and local government for a full list of compliances.
Let us know if you have any questions. We are here to help!