Overview
Generally, once you hire employees and start running payroll, Massachusetts requires you to register as an employer with the state. This registration will generate account IDs that will be used by our Payroll software through Gusto, to pay taxes and file returns on your behalf. Collective has an in-house Employer Registration team that helps ensure members are properly registered with the states and that Gusto has the information needed to process payroll and file reports accurately.
Once we have processed your MA-Employer Registration, you'll receive an email from Collective with instructions on how to access your Withholding and Unemployment accounts.
For the Withholding account, you simply need to visit the Masstaxconnect website and log in using the credentials shared with you via email.
For the Unemployment account, you'll need to create an online account using the steps listed on this page and grant Third Party Access (TPA) to Gusto so Gusto can submit tax payments and file returns for your business on your behalf.
ACTION REQUIRED:
- Create an online login to access MA-Unemployment account.
- Complete Third Party Authorization (TPA) for Gusto
Create an online login to access MA-Unemployment account
To access your Unemployment account, please follow the instructions listed below:
- Once your registration is submitted, you will receive an email from unemployment@noreply.mass.gov with your username and a link to access your account. Please click the link in the email.
- It will take you to the MA-Unemployment Services for Employers website. Click "Login"
- On the next page, click "Create an Account"
- Enter your email address and click "Send Verification Code". Make sure to enter the email that you have provided to Collective.
- Next, you will receive a code in your email. Enter that code on the next page and click "Verify Email"
- Now enter your first and last name and click "Continue"
- Next, set up a password and make sure to save it. Click "Create an account"
- The website will now ask you to set up multifactor authentication. Please click "Set up MFA"
- For multifactor authentication, we advise that you select the "Phone (Voice & Text Message)" option and click "Continue"
- Enter your mobile # and click "Text me".
- On the next page, enter the code that you received on your phone and click "Verify Code".
- You should now see a message informing you that there is an Unemployment account linked to your email address. Click "Ok/Submit"
- Go back to MA-Unemployment Services for Employers page and click login.
- Enter your email address and the password you created in step#7. Hit "Log in"
Once you’ve completed the above steps, you should see your Unemployment account ID and assigned UI tax rate.
IMPORTANT: Please take a screenshot of this page (including your MA-UI Tax Account ID) and upload it to your Collective documents with the document type “Employer Registration Documents." We cannot proceed without this screenshot.
Once the above has been completed, you will need to grant third-party access to Gusto using the steps listed below.
Grant Third-Party Access (TPA) to Gusto
Once you have access to your MA-Unemployment Tax account, please follow these instructions to grant Third Party Access to Gusto. (You can also find these instructions in this video.)
- Log in to your MA-Unemployment Tax account.
- Once logged in, you will see the "Summary" | "Action Center" | and "Additional Services" tabs. Click "Additional Services"
- On the next page, under "Access Management", click "Manage third-party administrator access".
- Click "Add third party administrator".
- The website will show you the information that you need to grant access. Click "Next"
- Now enter Gusto's agent ID: 102976 and click "Next".
- Now check the "Employer" checkbox and for the roles, select "Revenue Functions".
Select "No" for benefit charges protest or wage and separation mailing. Click "Next". - Now hit the "Submit" button.
Once you've submitted authorization to grant Third Party Access to Gusto, please upload the confirmation PDF to your Collective Document Center with the title "TPA Confirmation (MA-DUA)" - Document Type: Employer Registration Documents.
Collective will send you an email to confirm receipt of your Third Party Access authorization – please reply to this email to notify and confirm that you have logged in to your account successfully and completed the TPA process.
Should you require assistance handling any notice or action items related to your MA-Unemployment account, message us using the Message Center in the Dashboard.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this document is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial or tax advice. It is not intended to be a substitute for obtaining accounting or other financial advice from an appropriate financial adviser or for the purpose of avoiding U.S. Federal, state or local tax payments and penalties.