State tax registration
Ohio Payroll Tax Registration
Where to register, how long it takes, and what to send us.
Withholding is set up in OH|TAX eServices; unemployment is set up separately in The SOURCE.
State income tax withholding
Employer withholding account (OH|TAX eServices)
Ohio Department of Taxation
- Typical wait:
- Immediately online (paper applications can take up to six weeks)
- You'll receive:
- One withholding account number (typically 8 digits starting with 5) that covers both state and school district withholding.
- Send Unify:
- Your Ohio withholding account number.
Register within 15 days of when your withholding liability begins.
Register for Employer withholding account (OH|TAX eServices) (opens in a new tab)State unemployment insurance
Unemployment insurance account (Ohio Unemployment SOURCE)
Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS)
- You'll receive:
- An employer account number (typically 10 digits). New employers pay 2.85% in 2026 (2.70% plus a 0.15% technology fee; 5.85% for construction) on the first $9,000 of each employee's wages.
- Send Unify:
- Your ODJFS account number and your rate notice.
Other state program
Workers' compensation coverage (FYI, not a payroll tax)
Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC)
- You'll receive:
- Workers' compensation coverage from the state BWC.
- Send Unify:
- Your BWC policy number.
Local taxesMost Ohio cities and villages levy a municipal income tax that needs its own local accounts; school district income tax runs through your state withholding account. Ask us if you have employees there. Official lookup
All states
Last verified September 30, 2026. Broken link? Email support@unifypayroll.com.