Rhode Island Payroll Tax and Registration Guide

To stay compliant with Rhode Island payroll tax regulations, employers must provide specific information before using Beyond to process payroll:

  • State Employer Identification Number and local/state tax IDs
  • Tax rates, which are determined by Rhode Island agencies based on factors like business type, size, and history
  • TPA access and power of attorney documentation, typically required by state offices to allow Beyond to file and submit payments on your behalf

 

Accurate and up-to-date information is critical for Beyond to file and pay taxes correctly. Any missing or incorrect data could result in interest charges or penalties, and Beyond cannot assume responsibility for these errors.

Simplify State Tax Registrations with Middesk

Need help getting set up with state agencies? Beyond partners with Middesk to make it easier to manage your business's state registrations and stay compliant, no matter where your employees are located.

With Middesk, you can:
• Register for required tax IDs and agency accounts quickly and securely
• Manage all your state accounts through a single, user-friendly platform
• Track compliance and government correspondence directly from your dashboard
• Complete “foreign qualification” steps with the Secretary of State for multi-state compliance

Understand what you need to provide and what tax-related tasks Beyond takes care of for Rhode Island employers

What Beyond Needs from You

All Rhode Island Employers

Task

Purpose

Register with the Rhode Island Division of Taxation

Enables filing and payment of withholding taxes

Register with the Rhode Island Department of Labor & Training

Required for unemployment insurance contributions

Provide Beyond with your Rhode Island Withholding Tax Account Number and deposit schedule

11-digit ID issued by the Division of Taxation

Approve Beyond’s Access Request to your withholding account

Required for Beyond to file and pay on your behalf

Provide Beyond with your Rhode Island Unemployment Account Number

10-digit ID issued by the Department of Labor & Training

Provide Beyond with your SUI rate

Annual rate provided by the Department of Labor & Training

What Beyond handles for Rhode Island employers

Withholding Tax

  • Form 941M

    Monthly Withholding Return
    • Filed monthly

  • Form 941Q

    Quarterly Withholding Reconciliation
    • Filed quarterly

  • Form 941A

    Annual Reconciliation/W-2 Transmittal
    • Filed annually

Unemployment Insurance Tax

  • Form TX-17

    Rhode Island Quarterly Tax and Wage Report
    • Due every quarter

Additional Reports

  • New Hire Report

    Rhode Island Report of New Hires
    • Submitted as required

Where to Find Your Tax Account Info

Existing Employers in Rhode Island:

If you’ve previously run payroll in the state, you likely already have the necessary account numbers and credentials:

  • Withholding Tax Account Number is listed on notices from the Rhode Island Division of Taxation
  • If you’re unable to locate this information, contact the Division at (401) 574-8829
  • Unemployment Account Number and SUI Rate can be found on the annual Tax Rate Notice (Form TX-17) or the Quarterly Wage Report

 

New Employers in Rhode Island:

You’ll need to register your company with both:

  • Rhode Island Division of Taxation – for state income tax withholding
  • Rhode Island Department of Labor & Training – for unemployment insurance

 

Register online if:

  • Your business is located in Rhode Island
  • You employ workers who live or work in Rhode Island
  • You withhold Rhode Island taxes for any employee, regardless of where they reside

Withholding Tax Details

After registering with the Division of Taxation, you’ll receive:

  • 11-digit Withholding Tax Account Number

  • E-File credentials for managing filings

  • TPA access information to link with Beyond

Unemployment Insurance Details

Effective January 1, 2025

  • Existing employers will find their 10-digit account number and SUI rate in the Tax Rate Notice or Form TX-17
  • SUTA rates for experienced employers range from 1.21% to 9.8%
  • The wage base for 2025 is $31,300, and the rate includes a 0.21% flat fee for the Rhode Island Job Development Fund

 

New employers generally begin with a 1.1% SUTA rate, also based on a $31,300 wage base, including the same development fund fee.

Have employees working in other states?

If your business operates across state lines or has remote team members based in different states, it’s essential to make sure the proper state paperwork is completed for each location. Beyond takes care of filing the necessary forms in every state where your employees are on payroll, helping you stay compliant no matter where your team works.