Congratulations on your decision to become a new employer in Ohio! You will need a few things in place before you run your first payroll. For Ohio employer registration help, check out our partner, CorpNet.
Federal and State Tax Accounts
Federal Tax Accounts:
Apply for an EIN View Details
The EIN (Employer Identification Number), or FEIN, is a unique nine digit number assigned by the IRS to identify your business. For more information, please read, “What Is an FEIN?”
If you don’t already have an EIN, (aka FEIN), you can easily apply for an EIN with the IRS online. There is no cost to apply for an EIN.
To read more about applying for an EIN, read, “Your Step-by-step Guide on How to Apply for EIN.”
Enroll in EFTPS View Details
Although it is not required, we suggest you register for the EFTPS (Electronic Federal Tax Payment System).
EFTPS is an easy way to pay your federal taxes online or view any tax filings made on your behalf by Patriot. To find out more about EFTPS, please read our article, “What Is EFTPS?”
State of Ohio Tax Accounts:
Register With Ohio Department of Taxation View Details
Ohio new employers can easily register their business online using Ohio Business Gateway.
You will be able to use this system to pay your state income taxes (SIT), as well as local income taxes.
Register With Ohio Office of Unemployment Compensation View Details
New employers in Ohio can register online using the Employer Resource Information Center (ERIC) for a state unemployment insurance (SUI) account.
Get Your SUTA Rate View Details
Employers in Ohio will receive a new State Unemployment Tax Assessment (SUTA) rate every year.
The Ohio new employer SUTA rate is 2.85% for 2026 for all non-construction industries. New construction employers use 5.85% for 2026.
For more information please visit the ODJFS.
Register With Local Tax Agencies View Details
Ohio has many local and school taxes that business owners must register for. The Ohio Department of Taxation has compiled a list of municipal income tax resources.
Ohio has locations that fall under a Joint Economic Development District (JEDD). Depending on your business’s location, you might need to pay JEDD tax. Please contact your local government to see if your business is located in a JEDD. If so, you will need to select the JEDD your business is under in Patriot Software. For more information on JEDD’s please read our article.
State-mandated Insurance:
Sign up for Workers’ Comp Insurance View Details
You must have workers’ comp insurance if you have at least 1 employee in Ohio. Ohio is a monopolistic state, so you must sign up for workers’ comp through a state-operated fund.
The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) is the sole provider of workers’ compensation insurance in the state. You can learn more about Ohio’s workers’ comp on the state’s website.
Setting Up Your New Employee:
Fill Out Form I-9 View Details
Fill out the required Form I-9 for employee verification for working in the USA.
This is a two-part form. The first section is filled out by the employee, and the second part is to be filled out by the employer.
You must retain each employee’s completed Form I-9 as long as the individual works for you. For more information, please read “Form I-9 In a Nutshell.”
Have Employee Fill Out Federal Form W-4 View Details
Employees need to fill out the Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Certificate for federal income taxes (FIT).
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 IT-4 View Details
In addition to the W-4 for Federal income taxes, employees should fill out Form IT-4, the Employee Withholding Exemption Certificate for the State of Ohio.
Report New Hire View Details
Ohio employers need to report new hires online within 20 days of hire or rehire to the Ohio New Hire Reporting Center.
For more information please read our article, “What Is New Hire Reporting?”
Meet Minimum Wage Requirements View Details
Ohio minimum wage is $11.00 per hour for 2026.
By law you are required to post the Ohio minimum wage poster for your employees to read.
Obtain Labor Law Posters View Details
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 want to keep all payroll records for at least three years. For more information please 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 and employers should contact their federal, state, and local government for a full list of compliances.