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Missouri New Hire Reporting Requirements (2026)

Last updated: 2026-10-12 · Missouri's rules were checked against the state's own site and the federal OCSE reference guide on 2026-10-12

Missouri employers must report every new or rehired employee to the Missouri Department of Social Services, Family Support Division — Child Support within 20 calendar days of the hire date (RSMo § 285.300). That matches the federal 20-day limit. Independent contractors are not reported. Besides the 7 federal data elements, Missouri requires 1 more item.

Deadline
20 calendar days
same as federal
Report contractors?
No
Rehire rule
60+ days gone
federal rule
Extra required data
1 item
beyond the federal 7

Missouri new hire reporting rules

Missouri new hire reporting

Missouri Department of Social Services, Family Support Division — Child Support

20
calendar days

Deadline: Within 20 calendar days of the hire date (RSMo § 285.300).

Electronic filers may instead send twice-monthly transmissions 12–16 days apart.

What to report

7 federal data elements (every state)
  • Employee name
  • Employee address
  • Employee Social Security number
  • Date of hire (first day the employee performed services for pay)
  • Employer name
  • Employer address
  • Employer FEIN (same FEIN used for quarterly wage reports)

Plus Missouri requires:

  • Employer address where income withholding orders should be sent

Only in some cases:

  • State of hire (state where the employee works) — if reporting as a multistate employer

Optional (requested, not required):

  • Employee date of birth
  • Employment type (full-time / part-time / temporary)
  • Health insurance availability
  • Employer payroll address (if different)

How to file

Open MO reporting site ↗

Methods: Online · File upload / spreadsheet · FTP · Fax · Mail · Copy of W-4

Phone
888-663-6751
Fax
877-573-6172
Mail
Missouri Department of Revenue, P.O. Box 3340, Jefferson City, MO 65105-3340

Official MO requirements page

Independent contractors

Contractors not reported

Not required.

Rehires & recalls

Report a returning employee if they are required to submit a new W-4.

Penalty

Intentional failure is an infraction with a fine of up to $25; $350 per failure if the result of an employer–employee conspiracy (RSMo § 285.302)

  • • Missouri defines the date of hire as the earlier of the day the employee signs the W-4 or first reports to work.

When is my Missouri report due?

Enter the first day of paid work to get the due date (with a calendar reminder), check whether a returning worker counts as a rehire, or fill in a Missouri report worksheet and download it as a PDF. Everything runs in your browser; employee details are never saved.

What goes on a Missouri new hire report

Federal data elements (every state)

  • Employee name
  • Employee address
  • Employee Social Security number
  • Date of hire (first day the employee performed services for pay)
  • Employer name
  • Employer address
  • Employer FEIN (same FEIN used for quarterly wage reports)

Added by Missouri

  • Employer address where income withholding orders should be sent

Only in some cases: State of hire (state where the employee works) — if reporting as a multistate employer.

Requested but optional: Employee date of birth; Employment type (full-time / part-time / temporary); Health insurance availability; Employer payroll address (if different).

Most states accept a copy of the employee's Form W-4 with the employer name, address and FEIN filled in, as long as any extra Missouri fields are added. Use the same FEIN you put on your quarterly wage reports.

How Missouri compares

  • Deadline: Missouri uses the federal 20-day limit, like 41 other states and DC. 9 states are stricter, with 7, 10, 14 and 15-day deadlines.
  • Contractors: 17 states require contractor reports (California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia); Missouri does not.
  • Rehires: Uses the federal rule: report a returning worker who was gone at least 60 consecutive days.
  • Multistate employers can instead report every new hire electronically to a single state where they have employees after registering with HHS (Multistate Employer Registry).

Related for Missouri employers: Missouri payroll taxes & SUTA rate · Missouri payday & final paycheck rules · Missouri minimum wage · payroll setup checklist

Missouri new hire reporting FAQ

How long do I have to report a new hire in Missouri?

Within 20 calendar days of the hire date (RSMo § 285.300). That matches the federal 20-day limit. Employers that report electronically may instead send twice-monthly transmissions 12 to 16 days apart. The date of hire is the first day the employee performs services for pay.

Do I have to report independent contractors in Missouri?

Not required.

Do I need to report rehired employees in Missouri?

Report a returning employee if they are required to submit a new W-4.

What information goes on a Missouri new hire report?

Every report needs the seven federal data elements: the employee's name, address, Social Security number and date of hire, and the employer's name, address and FEIN. Missouri also requires: Employer address where income withholding orders should be sent. Only in some cases: State of hire (state where the employee works) — if reporting as a multistate employer.

How do I report a new hire in Missouri?

Accepted methods: Online; File upload / spreadsheet; FTP; Fax; Mail; Copy of W-4. Reports go to the Missouri Department of Social Services, Family Support Division — Child Support.

What is the penalty for not reporting a new hire in Missouri?

Intentional failure is an infraction with a fine of up to $25; $350 per failure if the result of an employer–employee conspiracy (RSMo § 285.302). Federal law caps state penalties at $25 per unreported employee, or $500 when the employer and employee conspire not to report or to file a false report. A late report is still required.

I have employees in Missouri and other states. Where do I report?

Report each employee to the state where they work, following that state's rules, or register with HHS as a multistate employer and send all new hire reports electronically to one state where you have employees. Multistate employers that pick Missouri follow Missouri's rules for everyone and must include each employee's state of hire.

Official Sources

Figures checked against these sources on 2026-10-12

Related Resources on This Site

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General information, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with the Missouri Department of Social Services, Family Support Division — Child Support before relying on them.