Multistate employers
Federal law lets employers with employees in more than one state choose a single state for all new hire reporting. Wisconsin's help line is 888-300-4473. Source: dwd.wi.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)
Rehired employees
Report employees recalled or returning after an unpaid break of more than 60 days, even if they stayed on the payroll; the hire date is the return-to-work date. Source: dwd.wi.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)
Penalties
No state penalty amount is published. Federal law lets states fine up to $25 per unreported new hire, or $500 if employer and employee conspire. Source: dwd.wi.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)
The law and where to check
The law: Wis. Stat. § 103.05; Wis. Admin. Code ch. DWD 142 (opens in a new tab)
The agency: Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, Wisconsin New Hire Reporting (opens in a new tab)
What federal law says
Federal law requires every employer to report each new hire to the state's new hire directory within 20 days, or sooner if the state sets a shorter deadline. States use the reports for child support. Source: Social Security Act § 453A↗ (opens in a new tab)
New hire reporting checklist for Wisconsin employers
A simple order of work, based on the rules above. It is not a legal checklist.
- Collect the employee's Form W-4 details on day one.
- Report to the state shown above before the deadline.
- Include every required data field, including any state extras.
- Report rehires and, where required, independent contractors.
- Multistate employers: pick one state and register with HHS, or report to each state.
- Keep a copy or confirmation of each report.
More Wisconsin employment law guides
- All Wisconsin employment laws
- Wisconsin final paycheck law
- Wisconsin paid sick leave law
- Wisconsin meal and rest break laws
- Wisconsin overtime law
- Wisconsin pay frequency law
- Wisconsin vacation and PTO payout law
- Wisconsin at-will exceptions
New hire reporting laws in other states
See every state on one page, or pick a state:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
All official government sources, last checked October 19, 2026.
Disclaimer: This guide provides general information based on publicly available official sources and is for information only. It is not legal, tax, payroll or employment-law advice and does not guarantee compliance with federal, state or local requirements. Rules can depend on your location, industry, contracts and other circumstances, and laws change. Always check the official source, the relevant government agency or a qualified professional before making a decision. MadyHR.ai accepts no responsibility for any action taken based on this page.
Last checked: . Every rule and source link on this page was checked against the official government source on this date. Laws change, so always open the source link before you act.