Step 3: Register for a Payroll Tax Account

  • 1. Register as an Employer
  • 2. Get Your Information in Order
  • 3. Register a Payroll Tax Account
  • 4. Report New Employees
  • 5. Make Payroll Tax Payments
  • 6. File Tax Returns and Wage Reports
  • 7. Provide Required Notices

Enroll in e-Services for Business to register for your employer payroll tax account number. It is fast, easy, and secure and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

How to Enroll in e-Services for Business

  1. Go to e-Services for Business.
  2. Select Enroll.
  3. Enter the required information and select Next.
  4. Choose and answer your security questions, then select Continue.
  5. Review the Enrollment Summary, print a copy for your records, and select Submit.
  6. Check your email and select the verification link to complete enrollment.

Important: You must verify your email within 24 hours. If you do not, you will need to restart enrollment.

How to Register After Enrollment

  1. Log in to e-Services for Business.
  2. Select New Employer, then select Next.
  3. Review the New Registration screen.
  4. Select Click here to register for Employer Payroll Tax Account Number.
  5. Complete the online application.
  6. Select Submit.

If you have already registered online, do not use this option.

Online registration is the fastest way to register. If you cannot register online, you can use the paper form. Select one of the links below to view the printable registration form:

Include your Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) on your registration.

The Unemployment Insurance (UI) Program is a federal/state partnership. Including your FEIN helps ensure your UI tax payments are properly credited when you file your Employer’s Annual Federal Unemployment (FUTA) Tax Return (IRS Form 940) with the IRS.

Contact the IRS for information about federal filing requirements.

Mail or Fax Your Registration

Mail your completed form to:

Employment Development Department
Account Services Group, MIC 28
PO Box 826880
Sacramento, CA 94280-0001

Fax: 1-916-654-9211

Note: Mail-in registrations may take 10–14 days to process. Some cases may take longer, including accounts with tax exemptions or special coverage requirements.

Employer Payroll Tax Account Number

After registering with EDD, you will receive an eight-digit employer payroll tax account number (example: 000-0000-0). This is also known as a State Employer Identification Number (SEIN) or State ID number. You need this number for all interactions with the EDD, including filing your payroll tax returns, wage reports, submitting payments, filing adjustments, and updating your account.