Overview: When hiring employees in Ohio, you must register for State Income Tax Withholding through the Department of Taxation, Unemployment Insurance (UI) Tax through the Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS), and—if applicable—Local Withholding Tax with city or regional tax agencies. Registrations are managed through the Ohio Business Gateway, The SOURCE, and local tax portals.
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 Ohio Withholding Account Number
Registration Steps
Step 1: Register for Ohio Withholding Account Number
Go to the Ohio Business Gateway
Click Log In > Create Account
Enter email and contact information
Create a username and password
Set up password recovery
Follow the onboarding process to complete registration
You will receive a confirmation letter with your Ohio Employer Withholding Account Number.
Update your Buddy Punch account with this number. It is required for all Ohio state tax interactions.
For assistance, call (888) 405-4089 or refer to the Business Gateway FAQ for tutorials.
Step 2: Grant Third-Party Access in the Ohio Business Gateway
Check will send a request for access via email
A filing administrator must log in to the Ohio Business Gateway and approve access
Grant Service Area and Transaction Level Permissions to Check
Register for Ohio Unemployment Insurance (UI) Tax
Registration Steps
Step 1: Register for Ohio Unemployment Insurance (UI) Tax
Go to The SOURCE
Click Employers > Register for an Account
Complete the state registration form and validate information
Create username and password
Complete all registration steps
You will receive your Ohio Unemployment Employer Account Number. Update your Buddy Punch account with this number.
For help, call ODJFS at (614) 466-2319 or email [email protected]. How-To videos are also available.
Step 2: Assign Third-Party Access for Unemployment
Log in to the Employer Resource Information Center (ERIC)
Go to Account Maintenance > Agent Assignment
Click Add Agent
Enter Check's Agent ID: 6000013738
Assign roles:
Wage submission
Payment submission
Set the Access Begin Date to the first day of the quarter when Check began withholding
Leave the end date blank
Click Save
Local Withholding Tax Obligations
Registration Steps
Register for Local Withholding Tax
Contact the city or county government where your employees work or where your business operates
Use the Ohio Municipal Tax Finder Tool for detailed jurisdiction information
Major Local Tax Collectors:
Update your account with your Ohio Local ID number(s). These are required for local tax filings.