Connecticut Payroll Taxes for Employers (2026): SUTA and State Programs
Last updated: 2026-10-12 · 2026 rates checked against Connecticut Department of Labor's own pages and the other official sources below
Connecticut employers pay state unemployment tax (SUTA) on the first $27,000 of each employee's wages in 2026, and new employers pay 1.9% — at most $513.00 per employee for the year. Every Connecticut employer also pays federal Social Security (6.2% up to $184,500), Medicare (1.45%) and FUTA (0.6% on the first $7,000).
What will payroll taxes cost me in Connecticut?
Enter your headcount and average pay to see the employer's share of Connecticut and federal payroll taxes for 2026. Change the SUTA rate to the one on your rate notice.
Connecticut employer payroll tax estimator · 2026
Runs in your browser · nothing is sent anywhere| Tax | Per year |
|---|---|
Connecticut unemployment (SUTA) 1.9% × first $27,000 per employee | $2,565 |
Federal unemployment (FUTA) 0.6% × first $7,000 after the full state credit | $210 |
Social Security (employer half) 6.2% × first $184,500 | $15,500 |
Medicare (employer half) 1.45% of all wages | $3,625 |
| Total employer taxes | $21,900 |
| Per employee | $4,380 |
Assumes every employee earns the average and works in Connecticut all year. Workers' comp premiums and benefits are extra — the payroll cost calculator adds them.
Connecticut unemployment insurance tax (SUTA) in 2026
- 2026 taxable wage base
- $27,000 per employee (17th highest of 51)
- New-employer rate
- 1.9%
- How the new-employer rate works
- New-employer rate fell from 2.2% to 1.9% for 2026; wage base rose to $27,000.
- Most a new employer pays per employee
- $513.00 (1.9% × $27,000)
- Experience-rated range (2026, as published)
- 1.1% to 9.9%. Contribution rates: a charged rate of 0.1%–8.9% plus the 1.0% fund solvency tax.
- 2025 average employer rate
- 2.1% of taxable wages (U.S. DOL)
- Employee contribution
- None — employer-paid only
Register with Connecticut Department of Labor when you first pay wages in Connecticut; you get an account number for quarterly wage reports and tax payments.
Paid leave, disability and other Connecticut payroll programs
- CT Paid Leave · employee-paid, withheld by you0.5% of wages up to $184,500
Federal payroll taxes every Connecticut employer pays
- Social Security: 6.2% from you and 6.2% withheld from the employee, on wages up to $184,500 in 2026.
- Medicare: 1.45% each on all wages; withhold an extra 0.9% (employee only) on wages over $200,000.
- FUTA: 6.0% of the first $7,000 per employee, less up to 5.4% credit for Connecticut unemployment tax paid on time = 0.6%, or $42 per employee.
- Federal income tax withholding from each paycheck based on the employee's Form W-4.
Next for Connecticut employers: Connecticut paycheck calculator (employee withholding) · Connecticut new hire reporting · Connecticut payday & final paycheck rules · Connecticut workers' comp · full payroll cost calculator
Connecticut payroll tax FAQ
What is the Connecticut SUTA rate for new employers in 2026?
1.9%. New-employer rate fell from 2.2% to 1.9% for 2026; wage base rose to $27,000.
What is the Connecticut SUTA wage base for 2026?
$27,000 per employee. Once an employee's 2026 wages pass that amount, you stop paying Connecticut unemployment tax on them for the rest of the year. That is the 17th highest wage base of the 50 states and DC (the federal FUTA base is $7,000).
Do employees pay unemployment tax in Connecticut?
No. In Connecticut unemployment tax is paid only by the employer; it can't be deducted from pay. Only Alaska, New Jersey and Pennsylvania collect an employee share.
What other payroll taxes do Connecticut employers pay?
Besides unemployment tax: CT Paid Leave (employee-paid): 0.5% of wages up to $184,500
How much FUTA do Connecticut employers pay?
0.6% of the first $7,000 of each employee's wages — $42 per employee per year — after the full 5.4% credit for paying Connecticut unemployment tax on time. Connecticut is not a credit-reduction state for 2026.
How does my Connecticut SUTA rate change after the first years?
New employers keep the new-employer rate until they have enough history to be experience-rated (the timing is set by state law). After that, Connecticut Department of Labor assigns a rate each year based on your layoffs and benefit charges; published 2026 rates run from 1.1% to 9.9% (Contribution rates: a charged rate of 0.1%–8.9% plus the 1.0% fund solvency tax). Use the rate on your annual rate notice. The 2025 average employer rate in Connecticut was 2.1% of taxable wages.
Official Sources
Figures checked against these sources on 2026-10-12Related Resources on This Site
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Payroll taxes in other states
All states in one table, plus federal deposit rules and deadlines →
General information, not tax advice. Rates change every year; confirm yours on the notice from Connecticut Department of Labor before filing.