Software
Best Payroll Software for Small Business in 2026: Gusto vs Paychex vs Others
Detailed comparison of Gusto, Paychex, QuickBooks Payroll, and ADP for Washington small businesses.
Practical, accurate resources for Washington small business owners — covering payroll taxes, labor laws, and compliance.
Detailed comparison of Gusto, Paychex, QuickBooks Payroll, and ADP for Washington small businesses.
Professional 1099-NEC and 1099-MISC filing for Washington businesses. Pacific Data Services handles 1099s for clients in all 50 states — accurate, on time, fully managed.
How to enroll in EFTPS, determine your deposit schedule, make payments, and avoid IRS late-deposit penalties as a Washington employer.
The One Big Beautiful Bill created new federal deductions for tip income (up to $25,000) and FLSA overtime premium pay (up to $12,500). What qualifies, your W-2 obligations, and the 2026 mandatory reporting deadline.
No income tax, but SUI, PFML, WA Cares Fund, and workers' comp through L&I. All WA employer obligations explained.
Register at esd.wa.gov for UI and PFML. L&I workers' comp is separate at lni.wa.gov. Quarterly reporting for both agencies.
New employer rate ~1.0% varying by industry. Wage base $72,800 — very high compared to other states. Experience rating explained.
Combined rate 0.9%, employer and employee shares, 50+ employee threshold, up to 18 weeks combined leave. ESD administers claims.
0.58% employee-paid tax on all wages with no cap. Employer withholds and remits quarterly. Lifetime benefit ~$36,500.
WA statewide $16.28/hr indexed to CPI, Seattle $20.76/hr for large employers. No tipped credit — full minimum wage for all.
FICA, Social Security, Medicare, FUTA, federal withholding — the complete breakdown of what employers owe.
Get your EIN, register with the state, set up withholding, new hire reporting — the complete first-payroll checklist.
IRS 3-factor test, Washington's economic reality test, misclassification penalties, and when each classification makes sense.
IRS lookback period, deposit thresholds, next-day rule, EFTPS, and penalties for late deposits.
FLSA, IRS, and Washington recordkeeping requirements — what to keep, how long, and why it matters.
ALE threshold, penalties for non-compliance, 1094-C/1095-C filing, small business exemption, and SHOP marketplace.
Misclassifying workers, wrong withholding, missed deposits, ignoring state law — the mistakes that add up fast.
Federal OT after 40 hrs/week, Washington follows federal FLSA — plus exemptions, salary thresholds, and enforcement.
Federal and state new hire reporting requirements, what to report, how to file, and penalties for non-compliance.
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or professional advice. Employment laws, tax regulations, and compliance requirements change frequently. The information on this page reflects our understanding as of the date noted above and may not reflect recent changes in federal or Washington state law. Do not act or refrain from acting based solely on the information in this article. Always consult a qualified attorney, CPA, or HR professional familiar with Washington law before making payroll or compliance decisions for your business.