SmallBizHandbookSmallBizHandbook

New Jersey New Hire Reporting Requirements (2026)

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

New Jersey employers must report every new or rehired employee to the New Jersey New Hire Reporting Center within 20 days after the employee is hired, rehired or returns to work (N.J.S.A. 2A:17-56.61). That matches the federal 20-day limit. Independent contractors must be reported too. Besides the 7 federal data elements, New Jersey requires 2 more items.

Deadline
20 days
same as federal
Report contractors?
Yes
Rehire rule
Every rehire
stricter than federal 60
Extra required data
2 items
beyond the federal 7

New Jersey new hire reporting rules

New Jersey new hire reporting

New Jersey New Hire Reporting Center

20
days

Deadline: Within 20 days after the employee is hired, rehired or returns to work (N.J.S.A. 2A:17-56.61).

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 Jersey requires:

  • Employee date of birth
  • Employer address where income withholding orders should be sent

Optional (requested, not required):

  • Medical benefits available?
  • Employer contact name and phone number

How to file

Open NJ reporting site ↗

Methods: Online · Electronic file · Fax · Mail

Phone
877-654-4737
Fax
800-304-4901
Mail
New Jersey New Hire Reporting Center, P.O. Box 4654, Trenton, NJ 08650

Official NJ requirements page

Independent contractors

Contractors must be reported

State law requires independent contractors transacting business in New Jersey to be reported as new hires; no dollar threshold is stated.

Rehires & recalls

Report every rehire or recall after a layoff, furlough, separation, unpaid leave, or a break in pay — New Jersey states no minimum gap.

Penalty

Up to $25 per violation

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

What goes on a New Jersey 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 Jersey

  • Employee date of birth
  • Employer address where income withholding orders should be sent

Requested but optional: Medical benefits available?; Employer contact name and phone number.

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

How New Jersey compares

  • Deadline: New Jersey 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 Jersey is one of 17 states that require independent contractors to be reported.
  • Rehires: Stricter than federal law: report every return to work, not only after a 60-day break.
  • 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 Jersey employers: New Jersey payroll taxes & SUTA rate · New Jersey payday & final paycheck rules · New Jersey minimum wage · payroll setup checklist

New Jersey new hire reporting FAQ

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

Within 20 days after the employee is hired, rehired or returns to work (N.J.S.A. 2A:17-56.61). 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 Jersey?

State law requires independent contractors transacting business in New Jersey to be reported as new hires; no dollar threshold is stated.

Do I need to report rehired employees in New Jersey?

Report every rehire or recall after a layoff, furlough, separation, unpaid leave, or a break in pay — New Jersey states no minimum gap.

What information goes on a New Jersey 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 Jersey also requires: Employee date of birth; Employer address where income withholding orders should be sent.

How do I report a new hire in New Jersey?

Accepted methods: Online; Electronic file; Fax; Mail. Reports go to the New Jersey New Hire Reporting Center.

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

Up to $25 per violation. 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 Jersey 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 Jersey follow New Jersey's rules for everyone.

Official Sources

Figures checked against these sources on 2026-10-12

Related Resources on This Site

New hire reporting in other states

ALAKAZARCACOCTDEDCFLGAHIIDILINIAKSKYLAMEMDMAMIMNMSMOMTNENVNHNMNYNCNDOHOKORPARISCSDTNTXUTVTVAWAWVWIWY

All states on one map and table, plus territories →

General information, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with the New Jersey New Hire Reporting Center before relying on them.