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Michigan New Employer Information

Congratulations on your decision to become a new employer in Michigan! You will need a few things in place before you run your first payroll. For help registering your business in Michigan, check out our partner, CorpNet.

Federal and State Tax Accounts

Federal Tax Accounts:

Apply for an EIN View Details

Obtain an Employer Identification Number, (also known as an EIN or FEIN), for your business if you do not already have one. The simplest (and preferred way) is to apply for an EIN with the IRS online. There is no cost to apply for an EIN.
To read more about applying for EIN’s, read our help article, “Your Step-by-step Guide on How to Apply for EIN”

Enroll in EFTPS View Details

Although it is not required, we recommend you enroll in the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS). You can easily register online. You will need to have this account to make tax payments online, or view payments made on your behalf by Patriot.
To find out more about the EFTPS, please read our article, “What is EFTPS?”

State of Michigan Tax Accounts:

Register Your Business View Details

You can register your business online using e-Registration. Using this application you will be able to create accounts with the Department of Treasury for all State Income Taxes (SIT) and the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency for State Unemployment Taxes (SUI). Please note: you must have an FEIN, (Federal employer identification number) before you can register with the state of Michigan.

Get Your SUTA Tax Rate View Details

The new employer State Unemployment Tax Assessment (SUTA) rate for Michigan is 2.7%. New Employers in Michigan will keep this State Unemployment Tax Assessment (SUTA) rate for 2 years.
Online reporting for SUTA taxes is mandatory. Employers will need to create a Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM) account.
To learn more about SUTA, please read our article, “What is SUTA Tax?”

Register With Local Tax Agencies View Details

Employers in these localities must register with local tax agencies: Albion, Battle Creek, Benton Harbor, Big Rapids, Detroit, East Lansing, Flint, Grand Rapids, Grayling, Hamtramck, Highland Park, Hudson, Ionia, Jackson, Lansing, Lapeer, Muskegon, Muskegon Heights, Pontiac, Port Huron, Portland, Saginaw, Springfield, and Walker.
For more more information please visit the Michigan Department of Treasury.

State-mandated Insurance:

Sign up for Workers’ Comp Insurance View Details

You must have workers’ comp insurance if you have at least 1 employee in Michigan. You can sign up for workers’ comp insurance through a private provider or state-operated fund. Learn more about workers’ comp requirements in Michigan here.
Patriot’s online payroll offers free pay as you go (PAYG) workers’ comp integration with our partner, NEXT Insurance. You can get a free quote with NEXT here.

Setting Up Your New Employee:

Fill Out Form I-9 View Details

Have your employees fill out the required Form I-9. For more information, read our article, “Form I-9 In a Nutshell“
You must retain each employee’s completed Form I-9 as long as the individual works for you. For more information, please read “What Should Be in an Employee File?”

Have Employee Fill Out Federal Form W-4 View Details

Employees need to fill out the Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Certificate, for Federal income taxes.
For more information, read our help article, “What Is a W-4 Form, and What Is it Used for?”

Have Employee Fill Out State Form MI W-4 View Details

Employees should complete the MI- W-4 Employee Withholding Exemption Certificate for state income taxes (SIT).

Report New Hires View Details

Report all new hires within 20 days from the date of hire or rehire. You can report new hires online.

Meet Minimum Wage Requirements View Details

The Michigan minimum wage is $10.56/hour from January 1 – February 20, 2025. Beginning February 21, 2025, the minimum hourly wage will be $12.48/hour.
You need to post the minimum wage poster for Michigan where employees can read it.

Obtain Labor Law Posters View Details

Get annual posters and all federal, state, county, and city labor law updates with Patriot’s labor law poster store, powered by PosterElite!

Once you have all the necessary information, you will be able to set up your payroll for your business.

You will want to keep all payroll records for at least three years. For more information please read our help article, “What Employers Should Know About Employee Payroll Records”

Let us know if you have any questions. We are here to help!

This is not an all-inclusive list for Michigan new employers. Please visit government websites for further information.

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