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New Hampshire New Hire Reporting Requirements (2026)

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

New Hampshire employers must report every new or rehired employee to the New Hampshire Employment Security (NHES) within 20 days of the hire, rehire or contract for services (RSA 282-A:117-a). That matches the federal 20-day limit. Independent contractors must be reported too (Over $2,500 threshold). Besides the 7 federal data elements, New Hampshire requires 3 more items.

Deadline
20 days
same as federal
Report contractors?
Yes (Over $2,500)
Rehire rule
60+ days gone
federal rule
Extra required data
3 items
beyond the federal 7

New Hampshire new hire reporting rules

New Hampshire new hire reporting

New Hampshire Employment Security (NHES)

20
days

Deadline: Within 20 days of the hire, rehire or contract for services (RSA 282-A:117-a).

Electronic filers may instead send twice-monthly transmissions 12–16 days apart. The source doesn't say business or calendar days — count calendar days to be safe.

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 New Hampshire requires:

  • NHES employer account number (if any)
  • State of hire (state where the employee works)
  • Employee vs. independent contractor indicator

How to file

Open NH reporting site ↗

Methods: Online · FTP · Fax · Mail

Phone
603-229-4371
Fax
603-224-0825
Mail
New Hampshire Employment Security, P.O. Box 2092, Concord, NH 03302

State form: NHES 0085, New Hire Reporting Form

Official NH requirements page

Independent contractors

Contractors must be reported (Over $2,500)

Report contractors (sole proprietors) when pay is anticipated to exceed $2,500, including after a 60-day break in services.

Rehires & recalls

Report workers rehired after a separation of at least 60 consecutive days, or who had to fill out a new W-4 because of an earlier separation (RSA 282-A:117-a).

Penalty

Up to $25 per unreported new hire; up to $500 for an employer–employee conspiracy (NHES employer guide)

  • • New Hampshire asks for the employee's street address, not a P.O. box.

When is my New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire report worksheet and download it as a PDF. Everything runs in your browser; employee details are never saved.

What goes on a New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire

  • NHES employer account number (if any)
  • State of hire (state where the employee works)
  • Employee vs. independent contractor indicator

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 New Hampshire fields are added. Use the same FEIN you put on your quarterly wage reports.

How New Hampshire compares

  • Deadline: New Hampshire 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: New Hampshire is one of 17 states that require independent contractors to be reported.
  • 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 New Hampshire employers: New Hampshire payroll taxes & SUTA rate · New Hampshire payday & final paycheck rules · New Hampshire minimum wage · payroll setup checklist

New Hampshire new hire reporting FAQ

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

Within 20 days of the hire, rehire or contract for services (RSA 282-A:117-a). 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. The state's source doesn't say business or calendar days, so count calendar days to be safe.

Do I have to report independent contractors in New Hampshire?

Report contractors (sole proprietors) when pay is anticipated to exceed $2,500, including after a 60-day break in services.

Do I need to report rehired employees in New Hampshire?

Report workers rehired after a separation of at least 60 consecutive days, or who had to fill out a new W-4 because of an earlier separation (RSA 282-A:117-a).

What information goes on a New Hampshire 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. New Hampshire also requires: NHES employer account number (if any); State of hire (state where the employee works); Employee vs. independent contractor indicator.

How do I report a new hire in New Hampshire?

Accepted methods: Online; FTP; Fax; Mail. The state form is NHES 0085, New Hire Reporting Form. Reports go to the New Hampshire Employment Security (NHES).

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

Up to $25 per unreported new hire; up to $500 for an employer–employee conspiracy (NHES employer guide). 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 New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire follow New Hampshire'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

New hire reporting in other states

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General information, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with the New Hampshire Employment Security (NHES) before relying on them.