Payroll
New Employer Payroll Setup: Step-by-Step Checklist for 2026
Get your EIN, register with ESD and L&I, choose payroll frequency, and run your first payroll ? the complete checklist.
Practical guides on WA payroll taxes, ESD registration, PFML, WA Cares Fund, and wage laws ? written for small business owners, not accountants.
Featured Guide
Gusto, QuickBooks Payroll, Paychex, and ADP — compared honestly. Who each product is right for, where each falls short, and what to ask before you sign anything.
Get your EIN, register with ESD and L&I, choose payroll frequency, and run your first payroll ? the complete checklist.
Combined rate 0.9%, employer and employee shares, 50+ employee threshold, up to 18 weeks leave. Complete PFML guide.
WA statewide $16.28/hr, Seattle $20.76/hr for large employers. No tipped credit ? full minimum wage for all employees.
No income tax, but SUI, PFML, WA Cares Fund, and workers' comp through L&I. All WA employer obligations explained.
Get your EIN, register with ESD and L&I, choose payroll frequency, and run your first payroll ? the complete checklist.
Combined rate 0.9%, employer and employee shares, 50+ employee threshold, up to 18 weeks leave. Complete PFML guide.
WA statewide $16.28/hr, Seattle $20.76/hr for large employers. No tipped credit ? full minimum wage for all employees.
Combined rate 0.9%, employer and employee shares, 50+ employee threshold, up to 18 weeks leave. Complete PFML guide.
WA statewide $16.28/hr, Seattle $20.76/hr for large employers. No tipped credit ? full minimum wage for all employees.
No income tax, but SUI, PFML, WA Cares Fund, and workers' comp through L&I. All WA employer obligations explained.
Get your EIN, register with ESD and L&I, choose payroll frequency, and run your first payroll ? the complete checklist.
Combined rate 0.9%, employer and employee shares, 50+ employee threshold, up to 18 weeks leave. Complete PFML guide.
WA statewide $16.28/hr, Seattle $20.76/hr for large employers. No tipped credit ? full minimum wage for all employees.
Washington's economic reality test for worker classification. Misclassification penalties are severe. Here's how to get it right.
Gusto vs Paychex vs QuickBooks vs ADP ? detailed comparison for Washington small businesses.
Gusto handles payroll calculations, tax filings, and direct deposit automatically. Trusted by 300,000+ small businesses. Start with a free trial — no credit card required.
On Gusto’s website — Washington Payroll Guide may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Before you run payroll, you need a legal business entity. LegalZoom handles your Articles of Organization, registered agent, and operating agreement — all online. Trusted by 4M+ small business owners. Starts at $0 + state filing fees.
On LegalZoom’s website — Washington Payroll Guide may earn a commission at no cost to you.
General information only — not legal or tax advice. Tax rules and employment laws change; what's accurate today may shift by next year. For decisions specific to your business, run them by a qualified Washington attorney or CPA. They'll save you more than they cost.