Wisconsin Payroll Tax Registration

Nov 5, 2025

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

Zero payroll penalties, zero distractions.

How Wisconsin Payroll Registration Works

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

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

Wisconsin employers must register for an Unemployment Account with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development by filling out a Preliminary Report (Form UCT-43-E).

  1. Register for an Unemployment Insurance Account Number

    Visit the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development website and register to determine your initial unemployment tax liability. Select "Create Logon ID" and complete profile, including filing the Preliminary Report (Form UTC-43-E). You should receive your account number and tax rate instantly after registering online, or in one to two weeks if registering by mail.

  2. Configure Payroll with Your Unemployment Account Number

    Upon receipt, provide your Unemployment Account Number to your payroll provider.

  3. Create an Employer Online Services Account

    Upon receipt of Unemployment Insurance Account Number and Internet Access Number, visit Employer Online Services to register to file quarterly reports and pay tax due.

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

Wisconsin employers must obtain a Withholding Account Number by filing a new Business Tax Registration (Form BTR-101) with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue.

  1. Register for a Withholding Account Number Online

    Register your business with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue to obtain your Withholding Account Number. You should receive this number in 24 hours after registering online, or three to four days if registering by mail.

  2. Configure Payroll with Your Withholding Account Number

    Upon receipt, provide your assigned Withholding Account Number to your payroll provider.

  3. Create My Tax Account Username

    Once your PIN has arrived via email (one to two business days) or physical mail (seven to 10 business days), visit My Tax Account and select "Create new username" to create a username.

Wisconsin'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.

The Convenience of the Employer Rule and COE States

In recent years, remote work has transitioned from a niche option to a mainstream work mode, supercharged by the COVID-19 pandemic. This shift has changed where we work and how states collect taxes, introducing new challenges for employers and employees. Enter the “convenience of the employer” rule, a regulation that, while aiming to simplify tax issues, has introduced the potential for double taxation for remote workers. Let’s discuss this rule’s impact and what it means for the modern workplace.

Kaitlin Edwards | May 9, 2024

Sales Tax Compliance Guide 2024

As we progress through 2024, sales tax compliance presents challenges and opportunities for businesses across the United States. Whether you’re a burgeoning startup or an established enterprise, understanding and adhering to evolving sales tax regulations is a strategic business necessity. Changes in sales tax laws, such as amendments in economic nexus thresholds and modifications in marketplace facilitator statutes, have profound implications. These changes reflect the evolving nature of commerce, especially in an era increasingly dominated by remote transactions and digital marketplaces.

Alex Kehayias | Feb 25, 2024

What's the Purpose of an Employee Handbook? 10 Company Benefits

An employee handbook might sound like another checkbox on your business’s to-do list, but it’s much more than that. It’s a resource that defines the foundation of your company — setting expectations for employees, outlining key benefits, and keeping everyone aligned with the organization’s values. At its core, an employee handbook ensures compliance, clarifies company policies, and keeps employees and management on the same page.

Kaitlin Edwards | Nov 17, 2024

Ready to get started?

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