Illinois Payroll Tax Registration

Dec 23, 2025

If you are an employer in Illinois who has recently hired a new employee, you will need to register for payroll taxes with the Illinois Department of Revenue. This registration process ensures that you are compliant with state tax laws and can properly withhold and remit taxes on behalf of your employees.

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How Illinois Payroll Registration Works

There are 3 payroll tax setup tasks you may need to complete in Illinois to get your new hire on payroll for the first time. You can follow the guide below to help you get registered directly with the Illinois agencies or use Mosey to do it.

Illinois Unemployment Insurance Setup for PLLC, Professional Corporation, LLP, LLC, Corporation

Employers must file Form UI-1 to register for unemployment with the Department of Employment Security if they have paid $1,500 or more in wages in a single calendar quarter, or employed at least one person for 20 different weeks in a given calendar year. When registering a new business, they can also register for Income Tax Withholding at the same time.

  1. Create a MyTax Illinois Account

    Create a MyTax Illinois account to be able to register your business and remit taxes if you haven't already done so.

  2. File Form UI-1 Online

    Register for an unemployment insurance account with the Department of Employment Security using the UI-1 application on MyTax Illinois.

Illinois Withholding Tax Setup for PLLC, Professional Corporation, LLP, LLC, Corporation

If you have employees in Illinois, you are required to register for a withholding account with the Department of Revenue by filing the Illinois Business Registration Application (Form REG-1). Note: When registering a new business you can also register for Unemployment Insurance at the same time.

  1. Create a MyTax Illinois Account

    Create a MyTax Illinois account to be able to register your business and remit taxes if you haven't already done so.

  2. File the New Business Registration Application

    Register as a new employer using the New Business Registration application (Form REG-1) on MyTax Illinois. This will create a withholding account with the Department of Revenue. Alternatively you can file forms REG-1 and UI-1 together by mail.

Illinois Unemployment Insurance Setup for Corporation, Professional Corporation

Employers must register for Unemployment Insurance tax with the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

  1. Create a MyTax Illinois Account

    Create a MyTax Illinois account to be able to register your business and remit taxes.

  2. File Form UI-1 Online

    Register for an unemployment insurance account with the Department of Employment Security using the UI-1 application on MyTax Illinois.

Illinois's Payroll Registration Agencies

How to register your business in more states

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Agencies in Illinois

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