Onboarding Mode

From Registration to First Filing

A complete walkthrough for new WA employers. Follow these steps in order.

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Step 1

Get Your UBI from WA Secretary of State

  • β†’Go to sos.wa.gov β†’ "Business & Organization Filings"
  • β†’Register your LLC or sole proprietorship
  • β†’You will receive a 9-digit UBI number (e.g., 606-135-913)
  • β†’Keep this number β€” every WA state agency requires it
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Step 2

Set Up Your WA DOR Account

  • β†’Go to dor.wa.gov β†’ "My DOR" β†’ "Log in or Sign Up"
  • β†’Select "Business" and enter your UBI
  • β†’You may owe B&O Tax if your revenue exceeds $28,000/year
  • β†’File quarterly B&O returns even if $0 (zero filing)
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Step 3

Register with WA ESD (Unemployment Insurance)

  • β†’Go to esd.wa.gov β†’ "Employers" β†’ "Register as an Employer"
  • β†’Enter your UBI and FEIN (federal EIN)
  • β†’You'll receive an ESD Account Number
  • β†’Required once you pay your first employee
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Step 4

Complete Your First ESD Zero Filing

  • β†’Log into WA EAMS (eams.wa.gov)
  • β†’Click "File a Report" β†’ "Quarterly Wage Report"
  • β†’Select the quarter, confirm $0 wages
  • β†’Or: use Micro-Payroll's Zero Filing Fast Track to generate a CSV and upload it
Use Zero Filing Fast Track β†’
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Step 5

Pay Your Federal 941 via IRS Direct Pay

  • β†’Calculate your 941 liability using Micro-Payroll's calculator
  • β†’Go to irs.gov/payments β†’ "Direct Pay"
  • β†’Select "Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Return (Form 941)"
  • β†’Enter your EIN and payment amount