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EDD forms for employers: choosing the right workflow
EDD forms cover registration, deposits, wage reports and employee notices. Match the task to the current form before searching by a familiar number from an older payroll file.
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General information, not legal or tax advice.
Start with registration and deposit tasks
EDD identifies DE 1 as the commercial employer registration form and DE 88 as the payroll tax deposit. It describes online deposits for UI, ETT, SDI and PIT, with different deposit timing rules. Keep account registration evidence distinct from payment confirmations and quarterly reports.
Sources: EDD - California Employer's Guide DE 44 (Rev. 52 (4-26)); Forms and Publications
Use current quarterly wage-report forms
DE 9 and DE 9C are the current quarterly reporting forms in EDD’s guide. DE 6 is not a current EDD form and is absent from the current form list; quarterly wage detail goes on DE 9C. Do not treat an old saved form number as a current filing instruction.
Sources: EDD - Payroll Taxes Forms and Publications; EDD - California Employer's Guide DE 44 (Rev. 52 (4-26)); Forms and Publications
Distinguish adjustments from reduced-earnings claims
DE 9ADJ corrects prior contribution and wage reports, with corrections also available through e-Services. DE 2063 instead belongs to the Partial UI Claim program for reduced earnings; the employer completes its part and gives it to the employee. It is not another payroll tax return.
Sources: EDD - California Employer's Guide DE 44 (Rev. 52 (4-26)); Forms and Publications
Route onboarding and withholding documents correctly
DE 34 reports new employees, while DE 542 covers qualifying contractor reporting and retains its $600 trigger. DE 4 supplies California withholding information. Use the relevant guide for detailed steps, and retain employee notices and pamphlet records alongside the onboarding checklist.
Sources: EDD - California Employer's Guide DE 44 (Rev. 52 (4-26)); Forms and Publications; EDD - DE 44; e-Services for Business; EDD - Payroll Taxes Forms and Publications
Sources: start with registration and deposit tasks
Related records and decisions
Match employer paperwork to the task
Tidwell helps organize payroll inputs, review records and support payroll reporting. We coordinate tax questions with your CPA and leave employment-law interpretation with your legal adviser.