[US] Massachesetts state tax registration guide

This guide is an overview of registering your business for Massachusetts state payroll taxes. For more support, contact the state agency directly.

This guide includes key payroll tax requirements, links to state agency portals, and instructions for granting third-party access to Wave's partner. These steps are required to complete your tax profile in Wave so we can manage your payroll tax payments and filings on your behalf.

Tax requirements

To pay employees in Massachusetts, you may need to register for the following taxes:

Massachusetts Withholding Tax and Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML)

The withholding and PFML taxes use a single registration portal. 

• Tax agency: Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR) 
• Registration Portal: MassTaxConnect

After registering, return to MassTaxConnect to access your account. You also need to grant Wave's partner third-party access. 

Massachusetts Unemployment Insurance (UI) Tax

Employers must register for unemployment insurance with the DUA.

• Tax agency: Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA)
• Registration Portal: DUA Employer Registration

After registering, use your credentials to log in to the DUA Employer System. You also need to grant Wave's partner third-party access. 

Third-Party Administrator (TPA) access

Withholding Tax TPA access

To grant PTA access for MassTaxConnect:

1. Sign in to MassTaxConnect.
2. Click Manage My Profile in the top-right corner.
3. Select the More… tab.
4. Under Third Party Access, click Assign Access Rights to a Third Party.
5. Locate and select Check from the directory or search bar.
6. Click Next.
7. Under Give Rights, select your withholding and PFML accounts.
8. From the Access Rights dropdown, select File and Pay.
9. Click Next and then Submit.

Watch the Video tutorials for more help.

UI TPA access

To grant TPA access for DUA UI Online:

1. Visit UI Online for Employers.
2. Log in with your user ID and password.
3. Navigate to Account Maintenance > TPA Authorization.
4. Click New and enter TPA ID: 111213
5. Set the Beginning Date to today; leave the End Date blank.
6. Click Add Roles, and select:
   • Account Maintenance, Update and Submit
   • Payments, Update and Submit
   • Employment and Wage Detail, Update and Submit
   • EMAC
7. Do not select any of the following roles:
   • Benefit Charges Protest Submission
   • Wage and Separation Mailing
   • Any View Only roles

For more details, see the TPA authorization instructions on the state’s website.

Complete your payroll tax profile

After completing the registration steps, complete your payroll tax profile.

Be sure to update your account with your:

• Massachusetts Tax ID Number
• Massachusetts PFML account number
• Massachusetts Employer Account Number (EAN)

Wave needs these for accurate tax filing and agency communication.

Additional Support 

For help with your tax account, registration, or technical errors, contact the state agency directly:

• DOR (Withholding & PFML): 617-887-6367
• DUA (UI Tax): 617-626-5075
• MassTaxConnect Tutorials
• Employer Registration User Guide