Overview: When hiring employees in Mississippi, you must register for State Income Tax Withholding through the Department of Revenue (DOR) and Unemployment Insurance (UI) Tax through the Department of Employment Security (MDES). These registrations are required to remain compliant with state payroll tax obligations.
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:
Registration Process
Registration Steps
Step 1: Register for a Withholding Tax Account Number
Go to the Mississippi TAP portal
Click “Apply for Tax Account”
Select “Register a New Taxpayer”
Choose your entity type, enter your FEIN, and complete the registration steps
Step 2: Set Up Online Access for DOR
After receiving your withholding tax account number, return to the TAP portal
Click “Sign up” at the top of the page
Select “Sign up for online access”
Create a user profile, including security questions and password
Your Mississippi withholding tax account number is required for all Mississippi Department of Revenue interactions to ensure your account is accurate.
For assistance, contact the DOR Registration line at (601) 923-7700.
Step 3: Register for an Unemployment Insurance (UI) Account Number
Go to the MDES Employer Registration page
Click “Register Here”
Under “For Reporting and Payment of Unemployment Taxes,” select “Register a New Business”
Complete and submit the registration application
Step 4: Set Up Online Access for MDES
Once you receive your UI account number, return to the MDES website
Complete the employer sign-up process to create a username and password
Your MDES UI Account Number is required for all Mississippi Department of Employment Security interactions to ensure your account is accurate.
For assistance, contact MDES at 601-493-9427 or email [email protected].
Step 5: Register for Email Correspondence
MDES requires all employers to register for electronic communication:
On the MDES Employers page, select “Employers are required to register for E-mail Correspondence”
Follow the provided instructions to complete your registration
This ensures timely delivery of important unemployment insurance notices.
Update Your Account
Once you receive both your:
Mississippi Withholding Tax Account Number
Mississippi Unemployment Insurance Account Number
Update your Buddy Punch account with this information to ensure timely and accurate filings and payments.