Overview: When hiring employees in Massachusetts, you must register for State Income Withholding Tax, State Unemployment Insurance (UI) Tax, and Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML). Registrations are managed through two portals: MassTaxConnect for withholding and PFML, and the DUA Employer Registration portal for unemployment insurance.
Important! This guide does not constitute legal or tax advice. You can consult a CPA or attorney for official guidance.
Taxes You Must Register For:
Register for Withholding and PFML Accounts
Registration Steps
Step 1: Register for Withholding and PFML Accounts
Go to the MassTaxConnect website
Under Quick Links, click Register a New Taxpayer
Select Register a Business
Choose “I am registering a business, organization, or other entity”
Complete all fields to register for both:
Withholding Account ID
Paid Family and Medical Leave ID
Create a username, password, and PIN
Save or print your confirmation page
You’ll use the same credentials to access your online profile on MassTaxConnect.
Step 2: Log In to MassTaxConnect
Visit MassTaxConnect
Enter your username and password
Complete two-step verification via app, email, or text
Enter the verification code to gain access
Register for Unemployment Insurance
Registration Steps
Register for Unemployment Insurance
Go to DUA Employer Registration
Click UI Employer Registration
Start the application and receive a temporary user ID and password (valid for 30 days)
Complete the full application to receive your Employer Account Number (EAN)
Log In to DUA Employer System
Use your temporary credentials from registration to log in
Reset your password, select a security question, and set a 4-digit PIN
Store this information securely for future use
Grant Third-Party Access to Check
For MassTaxConnect:
Sign in at MassTaxConnect
Click Manage My Profile (top-right corner)
Select the More… tab
Under Third Party Access, click Assign Access Rights to a Third Party
Locate and select Check from the directory or search bar
Click Next
Under Give Rights, select your withholding and PFML accounts
From the Access Rights dropdown, select File and Pay
Click Next and then Submit
For DUA UI Online:
Visit UI Online for Employers
Log in with your user ID and password
Navigate to Account Maintenance → TPA Authorization
Click New, and enter TPA ID:
111213
Set the Beginning Date to today; leave End Date blank
Click Add Roles, and select:
Account Maintenance, Update and Submit
Payments, Update and Submit
Employment and Wage Detail, Update and Submit
EMAC
Do NOT select any of the following roles:
Benefit Charges Protest Submission
Wage and Separation Mailing
Any "View Only" roles
Need Help?
DOR (Withholding & PFML): 617-887-6367
DUA (UI Tax): 617-626-5075