This week’s question comes from Anne, a company president. We just received a Notice of Change in Filing Frequency from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR). What is a Notice of Change in Filing Frequency? Answer: In Massachusetts, employers are required to deposit payroll taxes on one of four filing frequencies:

• Depository
• Monthly
• Quarterly
• Annual

Frequencies Are Based upon Taxes Paid

These frequencies are based upon the amount of tax paid in a twelve-month period. For payroll taxes, the amounts are as follows:

• Depository is greater than $25,000
• Monthly is between $1,200 and $25,000
• Quarterly is between $100 and $2,500
• Annual is less than $100

Consequently, when the amount an employer is expected to pay passes one of the thresholds, the DOR will change the filing frequency.

DOR Mails Notices to Affected Employers

Each year, the DOR mails notices to employers whose frequency will change for the next calendar year. This notice is called a Notice of Change in Filing Frequency.

Forward Notices to Vision Payroll

Although Vision Payroll will review each client’s filing frequency in January, employers who receive a notice can send a copy to Vision Payroll if they wish to have their filing status change on file.