The Employment Development Department created this tutorial to assist you with navigating
through e-Services for Business. This tutorial will show you how to register for a California
employer payroll tax account number in e-Services for Business. Note: You must first create a username
and password to register using e-services for Business. Refer to the tutorial “Create a Username
and Password to Enroll in Employer Services Online” for assistance. Welcome to the EDD home page. Select
Employers to get started. Select Reporting Requirements. Select Employer Registration.
This page will help you determine if you need to register for an employer payroll tax account
number and what your responsibilities are as an employer. Select What do I need to register?
Select your type of business from the bulleted list. There, you will find the
information needed to successfully register for an employer payroll tax account number.
When you have all of your information available, select Employer Login.
Select Log in to e-Services for Business. Enter your username and password, then select Login.
Select New Employer. Select Next to continue. If you didn't already gather the information
needed to register, review the information on the screen and be prepared to provide
the stated information. Select Register for Employer Payroll Tax Account Number to begin.
Select the reason that best describes why you are requesting a new employer payroll
tax account number. For this example, we select New Business then select Next.
Now, select the Employer Type that best describes your business from the drop down menu.
For this example, we select Commercial. Select the Organization Type that best describes your
business from the drop down menu. For this example, we select Corporation. Select Next to continue.
Select the quarter your wages exceeded $100. For this example, we select Current
Quarter then select Next. Answer the question “Do you have employees working in California?” by
selecting Yes or No. For this example, we select Yes then select Next. At least one Responsible
Party must be provided. For a commercial account, select Commercial Owner or Officer. Select the
title of the responsible party from the drop down menu. For this example, we select President.
Select the ID Type for the responsible party. Note: If you selected Officer as the responsible
party type, you will need to provide the ITIN or SSN. Then enter the ID number.
Enter the First Name, Last Name, Date of Birth, and California Driver License Number for the
responsible party. If you have additional responsible parties, select Add Responsible
Party and enter the additional information. Make note of this important message about
private corporations and the Sole Shareholder/ Corporate Officer Exclusion Statement (DE 459).
Select Next to continue.
Enter the Date Ownership Began Operating, then answer the question, “Previously Been a Principal
Owner Registered with the EDD?” by selecting Yes or No. For this example, we select No then select Next.
Select the Industry Activity that best fits your company from the drop down menu.
You can select Other, if the available choices do not apply.
Enter a detailed description of the product or service, then select Next.
Enter the Legal Name of Organization exactly as it appears on your organizing documents. Do not
omit any words or use any abbreviations. It is very important that we register your employer
payroll tax account with the correct legal name. If you have a DBA name for your company, enter
the DBA Name. Otherwise, leave the field blank. If your business is registered with the California
Secretary of State, select Yes and enter the Secretary Of State Identification Number.
If you have a Federal Employer Identification Number, select Yes and enter the number.
Select Next to continue. Enter your Address Information. If your mailing address is
different from your location address, select No and the new section will display for you
to provide the mailing address. For this example, we select Yes then select Next.
Enter your Business Contact Information and select Yes or No to allow email contact.
Select Next to continue. Select Yes, if you want to add a Taxpayer Representative Contact. You
will be asked for the contact information and address of the person authorized to
provide the EDD with information needed to maintain your employer payroll tax account.
If the contact person is an outside accountant, agent, or tax representative complete and submit
a Power Of Attorney Declaration (DE 48). For this example, we select No then select Next.
Answer the questions “Are you an authorized Payroll Agent?” and “Does this business use
professional assistance for payroll reporting?” Select Next to continue.
Complete the declaration to certify under penalty of perjury that the information
provided is true, correct, complete, and that these actions are not being taken to receive
a more favorable Unemployment Insurance rate. You further certify that you have the
authority to sign on behalf of this business. Select Submit to complete your registration.
Select Ok to confirm you want to submit your request.
This is your confirmation that your request for a new employer payroll tax account number was
submitted. Make note of your confirmation number or print a copy for your records, then select OK.
You will receive an email once your request has been processed. Most requests are processed within
a few minutes. More time and documentation may be needed for accounts with tax exemptions or
specialized coverage. Thank you for taking the time to watch this tutorial on how to register for a
California employer payroll tax account number. Be sure to watch our other tutorials that demonstrate
how to file a tax return and wage report, make a Payroll Tax Deposit (DE 88) payment, and the many
other actions available in e-Services for Business. Other resources are available at
edd.ca.gov or by calling the Taxpayer Assistance Center at 1-888-745-3886.