District of Columbia

 

Last Updated June 17, 2026

Washington D.C. employers are required to register for payroll tax withholding and unemployment insurance accounts. The resources below can help you locate state forms, filing instructions, and agency contacts.

State Tax Guidelines

District of Columbia Office of Tax and Revenue – Withholding Tax

Agency Information

Add to existing company setup

Submit a request to your service team to add DC (withholding) to your company setup.  Please include the below with your request:

  • Withholding – Deposit Frequency and Account number.  If you’re unsure of your deposit frequency or account number, you can call the agency at 202-727-4829.
  • Power of Attorney- POA is required, please obtain the prefilled form from your client service representative.

Register a new company

Register online at https://otr.cfo.dc.gov/page/new-business-registration/. Review the required information needed and  select FR-500 New Business Registration, and follow the prompts. Once the registration has been submitted, the agency will process the information within 1-2 days. An account number and deposit frequency will then be provided.

Power of Attorney Instructions

Power of Attorney upon request, please obtain the prefilled form from your client service representative.

 

 

District of Columbia Department of Employment Services – Unemployment tax

Agency Information

Add to existing company setup

Submit a request to your service team to add DOES (unemployment) to your company setup. Please include the below with your request:

  • Unemployment – Tax rate and Account number.  This can be found on a Tax Rate Notice or the Quarterly contribution report.  If you’re unsure of your tax rate or account number, you can call the agency at 202-698-7550.

Register a new company

Register online (Office of Unemployment Compensation) at: https://essp.does.dc.gov/EMPSPA/home/wfmRegister/#/spa/wfmEmployerRegistrationWizard/0  and follow the prompts. Once the registration has been submitted, you will be immediately provided with your account number and rate.

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