Pennsylvania Payroll Tax Registration

May 8, 2025

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

How Pennsylvania Payroll Registration Works

There are 2 payroll tax setup tasks you may need to complete in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania agencies or use Mosey to do it.

Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation Setup for LLP, LLC, Corporation

If you have employees in Pennsylvania, you are required to register with the Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) for Unemployment Compensation (UC), also known as unemployment insurance, coverage within 30 days of your Pennsylvania employee start date. Note: 501(c)(3) organizations will have the choice to either pay unemployment contributions on taxable wages each quarter or elect to reimburse the Pennsylvania Unemployment Fund for benefits paid to current or former employees.

  1. Create myPATH Account

    If you haven't already, create a myPATH account. Your myPATH account will be used to access the Pennsylvania Online Business Tax Registration system.

  2. Submit Pennsylvania Online Business Tax Registration

    Log in to your myPATH account. Submit a business tax registration to setup an Unemployment Compensation account. Upon registration, you will receive a 7-digit UC account number.

  3. Create UC Management System (UCMS) User Account

    Create a UC Management System (UCMS) user account with your UC account number. UCMS is used to file quarterly reports and manage your UC account relationship online. The first user created for your business will be the UCMS "administrator" who can create and manage users.

  4. Elect Unemployment Payment Method (501(c)(3) Nonprofits Only)

    After registering, 501(c)(3) organizations must file an Election Or Re-election Of Reimbursement (Form UC-1692) and Surety Bond (Form UC-1681) if opting to reimburse the Pennsylvania Unemployment Fund for benefits paid to current or former employees. Note: The forms must be filed with the Office of Unemployment Compensation Tax Services by mail.

Pennsylvania Withholding Tax Setup for LLC, LLP, Corporation

If you are an employer in Pennsylvania, you are required to register with the Department of Revenue for a withholding tax account.

  1. Create a myPATH Account

    If you haven't already, create a myPATH account. Your myPATH account will be used to access the Pennsylvania Online Business Tax Registration system.

  2. Submit Online Business Tax Registration

    Log in to the myPATH registration system. Submit a business tax registration to get a Withholding Tax account. You will receive a 11-digit Revenue ID (used across all of your tax accounts) and an eight-digit withholding tax account number.

Pennsylvania's Payroll Registration Agencies

More from the blog

Learn how to keep your business compliant in all 50 states across payroll, HR, Secretary of State, and tax.

Shift Differential Pay | Definition & Calculation

It’s usually easy for employers to find employees who are willing to work the day shift or second shift. It can be challenging for employers to find people willing to work the graveyard shift. Many employees express feeling dissatisfied with the shifts they’re asked to work. Shift differential pay can be an enticing draw for employees who may not otherwise feel inclined to work unconventional shifts, like evening shifts.

Kaitlin Edwards | Mar 6, 2024

San Francisco Health Care Security Ordinance (HCSO) Compliance

Many employers are already required to provide healthcare for full-time employees, but the San Francisco Health Care Security Ordinance (HCSO) takes things a few steps further. The HCSO compels greater employer involvement and a significantly larger healthcare contribution for each eligible employee. Here’s what San Francisco employers need to know about the HCSO and how Mosey can help with corporate compliance. What Is the San Francisco Health Care Security Ordinance (HCSO)?

Kaitlin Edwards | Aug 6, 2024

Business Compliance: Guidelines for Entrepreneurs

Some people love to follow the rules–others live to break them. Many founders and business owners fall at least partially into this second category. After all, innovation requires questioning the status quo. But one area where it’s wisest not to break rules is the law. Employment and tax laws apply to even the earliest stage, most disruptive founders, and not complying comes with penalties and fines. That means when it comes to business compliance, you need to become a certified box-checker.

Gabrielle Sinacola | Apr 24, 2023

Ready to get started?

Schedule a free consultation to see how Mosey transforms business compliance.