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Virginia Payroll Tax Registration

As an employer in Virginia who has recently hired an employee, it is important to understand the process of payroll tax registration. Registering for payroll taxes in Virginia is a legal requirement that ensures compliance with the state's tax laws and enables you to withhold and remit the necessary taxes on behalf of your employee.

How Virginia Payroll Registration Works

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

Use Mosey to register for payroll tax in Virginia.

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Virginia Withholding Tax Setup

Employers with employees in Virginia are required to register with Virginia Tax for an Employer Withholding Tax account. Generally, you are required to withhold state Personal Income Tax if you pay wages to at least one employee. When registering for Employer Withholding Tax you will also be able to register for Unemployment Insurance tax at the same time. Note: Virginia has Tax Reciprocity with several states, notably including DC and Maryland. If your employee resides in Maryland or DC but works in your Virginia office, they may ask you to withhold income tax for their home state instead of Virginia.

  1. Register for an Employer Withholding Tax Account

    Register online for an Employer Withholding Tax account with VATAX by logging into VATAX Online Services for Businesses portal. Note: No action required if you have an existing Employer Withholding Tax account from previous tax registrations with VATAX.

Virginia Unemployment Insurance Setup

You must register with the Virginia Employment Commission for Unemployment Insurance tax. You are generally required to pay Unemployment Insurance tax if you have at least $1,500 in quarterly payroll or have had an employee for at least 20 weeks in a calendar year. When registering for Unemployment Insurance tax you will also be able to register for Employer Withholding Tax at the same time. Note: Virginia has Tax Reciprocity with several states, notably including DC and Maryland. If your employee resides in Maryland or DC but works in your Virginia office, they may ask you to withhold income tax for their home state instead of Virginia.

  1. Register for an Unemployment Insurance Tax Account

    Register online for an Unemployment Insurance account online with the Virginia Employment Commission by logging into VATAX Online Services for Businesses portal. Note: No action required if you have an existing Unemployment Insurance account from previous tax registrations with VATAX.

How to register your business in more states

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