By Nicole Evans, ND SBDC Grand Forks Center Director
Hiring your first employee can be exciting but also nerve-racking. Many questions surface when you are ready to hire your first employee(s). These questions can bring about many layers. The first question that is usually asked is: Where do I begin?
You should already be registered with the Secretary of State and have obtained your Employee Identification Number (EIN). The following are what accounts need to be created, specific to North Dakota:
1. NDTAP (North Dakota Taxpayer Access Point)
Create an account and apply for ND Withholding and a Sales and Use Tax permit, if applicable.
2. EFTPS (Electronic Federal Taxpayer Point System)
Create an account and report Federal Withholding, including Social Security and Medicare.
3. BSO (Business Services Online)
Create an account and report Social Security Withholding at year-end. You will not need this account immediately, but having it open before your report is good.
4. UIEASY (Unemployment Insurance)
Create an account and report Unemployment amounts. These amounts are typically reported quarterly.
5. WSI (Workforce Safety Insurance)
create an account and report payroll when requested by WSI. This is typically requested annually.
6. New Hire Reporting
Create an account to report New Hires. All employers must notify any newly hired employees within 20 days of the employee’s first day of work. Make sure to watch for any communication received after creating these accounts.
Now that you know where to begin, you will also need things in place to have ready for the employee:
- Have an employee policy book that each employee can read and confirm that they agree to the policies.
- Have each employee complete a W-4 and I-9.
- Have a set of Labor Law Posters (both state and federal) on a visible site for all employees to see and have access to.
You have now gone through the beginning steps of properly hiring employees and your growth journey.
