Washington - State Unemployment Insurance

Justworks is required to file unemployment taxes in certain states under our individual clients' Unemployment Account numbers, as opposed to Justworks Unemployment Account numbers.

In order to report, please send Justworks the following:

• From The Department of Revenue:
  • Your Unified Business Number (UBI)
• From The Employment Security Department (Unemployment):
  • Your unemployment account number 
  • Your unemployment rate
• From The Department of Labor and Industries (Worker's Compensation):
  • Your L&I Number
  • Your L&I Rate
  • Your L&I Code
  • Your PAC Code

Our company is new in Washington- what do we need to do?

1) First time hiring in the state

If you’re a new employer in Washington, you should consult with your attorney and tax advisor to determine if your company should register with the Washington Secretary of State, Department of Revenue, and obtain a business license as outlined by the state here.

2) Register with Washington's Business Licensing Service

1. Navigate to the Business Licensing Service

2. Click on “sign up” to create a username and password

3. Follow the steps to create a username and password

4. You will get an authentication code by email, enter this to validate your account

5. Now you can log in with the username and password you just created

6. Click on “apply for a new business license”.

7. Follow the steps in the application process. You will need to provide specific information about your business including address and information about company owners. The whole process should take 10-15 minutes.

The workers' comp mailing from the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) should arrive within 2-3 weeks and the unemployment mailing from the State Employment Security Department (ESD) should arrive 3-6 weeks following registration.

3) Register for Paid Family Medical Leave 

1. Log in to your SAW account.
2. Select “Add A New Service”.
3. Select “I would like to browse a list of services by name”. Scroll through the list to select “Paid Family and Medical Leave”.
4. When you see the confirmation screen that lets you know the service has been added to your list, click “OK,” then select “Paid Family and Medical Leave” from your list of services to access your account. Click 'Access Now', then 'Continue' onto the next page. Finally, click 'Create Your Account' within the "Register as an Employer Agent" section. 

5. An email will be sent confirming the account is active and a company ID number is issued as well. Please send Justworks the ID number to confirm the PFML setup. We can then request access from the state using the POA form you provided.

The PFML email should arrive less than 3 days following registration.

4) Complete Required Forms

Please reach out to Justworks unemployment team (unemployment@justworks.com) for the following four pre-filled forms, and return to Justworks once completed: 

• Washington ESD PEO Information form
• Washington ESD Power of Attorney form
• Washington L&I Authorization form
• Washington Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML) Power of Attorney form

If you’re having trouble completing any of the online account setup processes, please contact the state’s applicable department for assistance:

UBI: 360-705-6705

L&I: 360-902-4817

L&I PAC code: 360-902-4817

ESD: 360-902-9500

PFML: 833-717-2273 or paidleave@esd.wa.gov