Workers’ compensation insurance is required from the first employee. Report each new hire within 20 days. The minimum wage rose to $18.40 an hour on July 1, 2026 ($10.30 for tipped workers), and an employer with 20 or more employees must offer a commuter benefit under the Sustainable DC Omnibus Amendment Act. Paid family leave benefits were trimmed on October 1, 2026 but the employer rate did not change.
Checked Oct 21, 2026 against the agency’s page.
Step 6 of 6: Before the first hire
1Set up the business
2Register for tax
3Approve the space
4Get the permits for your kind of business
5Alcohol permits
6Before the first hire
Issued by Department of Employment Services (DOES); DC Directory of New Hires.
Sources and dates
DOES employer tax information and tax rate pages (2026); DOES Office of Paid Family Leave employer pages; DOES Office of Workers’ Compensation employer FAQ; D.C. Code 46-226.06. Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.
Questions about opening here.
Yes. Workers’ compensation insurance is required from the first employee.
Yes. Workers’ compensation insurance is required from the first employee.
Yes. Workers’ compensation insurance is required from the first employee.
Yes. Workers’ compensation insurance is required from the first employee.
Yes. Workers’ compensation insurance is required from the first employee.
Yes. Workers’ compensation insurance is required from the first employee.
Yes. Workers’ compensation insurance is required from the first employee.
Yes. Workers’ compensation insurance is required from the first employee.
Yes. Workers’ compensation insurance is required from the first employee.
Yes. Workers’ compensation insurance is required from the first employee.
Yes. Workers’ compensation insurance is required from the first employee.
Yes. Workers’ compensation insurance is required from the first employee.
Yes. Workers’ compensation insurance is required from the first employee.
Yes. Workers’ compensation insurance is required from the first employee.
Yes. Workers’ compensation insurance is required from the first employee.
Yes. Workers’ compensation insurance is required from the first employee.
Yes. Workers’ compensation insurance is required from the first employee.
Yes. Workers’ compensation insurance is required from the first employee.
Yes. Workers’ compensation insurance is required from the first employee.
Yes. Workers’ compensation insurance is required from the first employee.
Department of Employment Services (DOES); DC Directory of New Hires.
Step 6 of 6, before the first hire. The steps before it: set up the business, register for tax, approve the space, get the permits for your kind of business and alcohol permits.
Who needs an unemployment insurance in District of Columbia?
