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California Registration and Tax Information

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Register for payroll tax account numbers in California

In order to process payroll with Lattice in California, you must provide a State Employer Payroll Tax Account Number (EDD Number). This information is required for us to make state tax payments and filings on your behalf.

The easiest way to get an EDD number is to enroll online at the EDD’s E-Services for Business portal. Once you successfully enroll, you’ll receive an EDD number for your business. Alternatively, you can call the EDD at 888-745-3886 on weekdays from 8 AM – 5 PM, PT to speak with a staff member.

Registering with CA Employment Development Department (EDD)

Check out this video tutorial on how to register for an employer payroll tax account number—follow the steps below as you watch. 

Create a username and password

  1. Navigate to the EDD's e-services for businesses site. 
  2. To get a username and password, select Enroll on the right-side of the page.
  3. Enter your personal information > select Continue. 
  4. Choose your security questions, answer them > select Continue.
  5. Review the “Enrollment Summary” and print a copy for your records, then select Submit.
  6. To complete the enrollment process, select the verification link in the email the CA EDD sent you.

Register for an Employer Payroll Tax Account Number

  1. Sign in to your E-services for Businesses profile. Use your username and password created above.
  2. Select New Employer.
  3. Choose Register for Employer Payroll Tax Account Number.
  4. You'll be asked for information about your business and its operations in California. Here are a few tips for certain questions that may affect your payroll with Gusto:
    • “First quarter your wages exceeded $100.”
      • You can select the prior quarter, or the current quarter.
        • If you select a prior quarter, you'll have to file returns with the agency on your own in the meantime.
    • “Taxpayer Representative Contact Information.”
      • Do not add a Taxpayer Representative.  
    • “Are you an authorized Payroll Agent?”
      • Select No.
    • “Does this business use professional assistance for payroll reporting?”
      • Select No.
    • “Agency where you want your tax mailings sent?” 
      • Enter your own company name and mailing address. This makes sure your company directly receives any important communications from the EDD.
  5. Submit your completed online registration application to finish this step.
    • To get your account number quickly, give the agency all requested documents.
      • Registration for non-profit employers can take a little longer if the organization does not provide their non-profile paperwork with their registration (e.g., your 501(c) determination letter from the IRS).
  6. Once your registration request is sent, you'll typically receive your account number in the mail 10–15 business days later. 

To view the status of your request/registration, log in to e-Services for Business. If you have questions, contact the agency directly. 

If you submitted paperwork in person (rather than online), registration can take up to 7 days.

Find account numbers and rate information if you’ve already registered 

If you are transitioning to Lattice from a different payroll provider (or have filed state payroll tax returns in the past), your EDD number can be found on previously filed quarterly tax forms. You can find your EDD number on Form DE-9 or DE-9c  (it’s an eight-digit number in the following format: XXX-XXXX-X).

After you register with the California EDD, you can find your EDD payroll tax account number and unemployment rate in a few places:

  • On your “New Employer Account Registration Info” letter, or;
  • In the upper right-hand corner of any additional agency correspondence (listed as “Account ID”), or;
  • In your online e-Services for Business account
  • Your unemployment (UI) rate, and employment training tax (ETT) rates can be found:
    • In your online e-Services for Business account—under the “I Want To” section, click Get My UI Rate.
    • On your “UI Rate and Reserve Account” letter from the agency

If you cannot find your account number or tax rates, contact the agency directly at (888)745-3886.

If you cannot locate your EDD number but know your EDD e-Services sign-in information, you can locate your EDD number by signing in to the EDD website.

Forms we file in California

  • CA Report of New Hires (DE 34)*
  • Payroll Tax Deposit Coupon (DE88)*
  • Quarterly Contribution Return and Report of Wages (DE 9)
  • Combined Payroll Tax Payment Coupon (DE 9C)