What tax forms are required for new hires?

Tax Forms Required for New Hires in Arkansas

When hiring employees in Arkansas, it is essential to collect and manage specific tax forms to comply with federal and state regulations. Proper handling of these forms supports accurate payroll processing, tax withholding, and reporting.

Federal Tax Forms

• Form W-4 (Employee's Withholding Certificate): Every new employee must complete a W-4 form to determine federal income tax withholding. Employers use this information to calculate the correct amount of tax to withhold from wages.
• Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification): Required to verify the employee’s identity and authorization to work in the United States. Employers must retain this form and make it available for inspection.

Arkansas State Tax Forms

• Arkansas Withholding Tax Form A-4: Arkansas requires new employees to complete Form A-4 to establish state income tax withholding allowances. Employers use this form to withhold the appropriate amount of Arkansas state income tax.

Operational Considerations

• Recordkeeping: Maintain completed W-4, I-9, and A-4 forms securely for each employee as part of your compliance records.
• Reporting: Report new hires to Arkansas New Hire Reporting within 20 days of hire to support child support enforcement and unemployment insurance programs.
• Payroll Integration: Use the collected withholding information to configure payroll systems for accurate tax withholding and filing.
• Compliance Updates: As of 2026, regularly review federal and Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration updates to ensure forms and withholding tables are current.