Tax & Compliance
Startup Payroll Setup & Compliance
Collated by Aparna Devalla, CPA
Curated by Rubric Financial
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Getting Started: EIN and State Registrations
- Obtain a federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS before hiring — this is required for all payroll tax filings and can be obtained online immediately.
- Register with your state's department of revenue for income tax withholding and with the state employment agency for unemployment insurance (SUI) in every state where you have employees.
- Some states and localities require additional registrations for disability insurance, paid family leave, transit taxes, or local income tax withholding.
- Keep track of all registration numbers and filing frequencies, as each state has different deadlines, rates, and electronic filing requirements.
Related Resources
Tax & Compliance
R&D Tax Credits for Startups
Discover how your startup can claim R&D tax credits to offset payroll taxes or reduce income tax liability by up to $500K per year.
Tax & ComplianceYear-End Financial Checklist
A comprehensive checklist for closing out your startup's fiscal year — covering tax planning, W-2/1099 filings, reconciliations, and Delaware franchise tax.
Tax & ComplianceWhen to Transition Your LLC to an S-Corp
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