To ensure your business follows Washington’s payroll tax requirements, you’ll need to provide specific information before running payroll with Beyond:
- State Tax Identifiers – This includes your State Employer Identification Number and any applicable state or local tax account numbers.
- Assigned Tax Rates – These are determined by Washington state agencies based on your industry, company size, and employment history.
- Third-Party Authorization & Power of Attorney – Most agencies require this before Beyond can submit tax filings or make deposits on your behalf.
You are responsible for keeping this information accurate and up to date. Without it, Beyond may not be able to file or pay taxes properly, and you may incur penalties or interest for errors or omissions.
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 Washington employers
How to Locate Your Tax Account Information
Existing Washington Employers:
If you’ve processed payroll in Washington before, you likely already have all necessary account numbers. These can typically be found in the following places:
- UBI & Employment Security Number: On your Quarterly Tax and Wage Detail Report (Form EMS 5208 A)
- Unemployment Rate Notice: Shows your SUI tax rate and ES Account ID
Can’t find the paperwork? Contact ESD at (855) 829-9243 for assistance.
For New Employers in Washington
You’ll need to register your business with both:
- Washington Department of Revenue
- Register online for a business license
- Approval may take up to 2 business days
- You’ll be notified of your deposit frequency schedule after registration
- Department of Employment Security (ESD)
- ESD will open your unemployment insurance account
- L&I will set up your Workers’ Comp account
- You’ll receive a packet with:
- Your UBI
- ES Account Number
- L&I Account ID
- Participant Activation Code
- Assigned tax rates
Once you receive this info, submit it securely through Beyond’s platform.
Unemployment Tax Rates (Updated as of January 1, 2025)
- Minimum Rate for New Employers: 1.00% (may vary based on industry averages)
- Range for Existing Employers: 0.27% – 6.00%
- Taxable Wage Base: $72,800 per employee annually
- Experience Year: July 1 through June 30
Your rate is shown on the Tax Rate Determination Notice or Quarterly Contribution and Wage Report.
Administrative Fund Tax (WA)
All employers are assigned an Employment Administration Fund tax rate by ESD. This rate appears on your Tax Rate Notice. If unsure, call (360) 902-9670.
Workers’ Compensation (L&I) Tax Rates
Employers must provide correct Workers’ Comp Rate Codes for each employee:
- Rates vary by job classification
- You’ll receive annual updates from the WA Department of L&I
- If an employee changes job roles, update their rate immediately
- You may withhold part of this tax from employee wages
Beyond needs the following to manage L&I reporting:
- Employee’s premium rate
- Your L&I Account ID
- Your UBI number
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) Codes
The state of Washington mandates that every employee listed on your unemployment return be assigned an SOC code. This ensures proper reporting and prevents rejection of filings.
Make sure to enter SOC codes in each employee’s profile in Beyond so filings can be submitted successfully.
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.
