The Minnesota Unemployment Insurance Employer Self-Service System allows employers and agents to manage their account(s) using multiple filing methods. File uploads and downloads allow employers or their agents to manage large data files internally, and submit them online.

Online access is available on an employer account level. Available submission types include:

• Manual Entry - an online version of filling-out a paper form. Enter each employee’s name, social security number, hours worked, wages, and the system calculates the tax due.
  
  
• Copy Names and Social Security Numbers from Previous Quarters - similar to the manual entry method, but even easier! This option brings forward your employees information entered for the previous quarter – you enter the current quarters hours worked and wage information and the system calculates the tax due. View an example of this process.
  
  
• File Upload - Attach Electronic Wage File - This is an option that allows employers or their agents to create a file using one of the acceptable formats listed below. Many payroll software programs include the EFW2 (formerly MMREF-SSA Format) and ICESA formats for submitting wage detail information.
  
  
• Automated Phone System (IVR) - This option is for businesses and organizations without internet access who report either $0 wages or wages for few employees.
  
  
• Zero Wage - This option is available online and by phone for employers who want to quickly register $0 wages paid during the reporting period.
  
  
• File Transfer Protocol (FTP) - available by DEED invitation only. This option is available to very large employers and agents (i.e. those reporting more than 10,000 employees) who submit their wage detail files using our FTP (File Transfer Protocol) process. These employers and agents must still use the Employer Self-Service System to set up security, passwords and general account maintenance; however, wage detail files are submitted using FTP. The file formats used in this process are the same as those used by the File Upload method.

Acceptable Wage Detail File Upload Formats:

	EFW2 (formerly MMREF-SSA Format)
	ICESA
	State Fixed Length
	Comma Delimited

The file upload process allows the submission of quarterly wage detail records within the selected quarter and year, and submission of wage detail adjustments. Each record will process through a series of checks and edits. The system uses the wage detail data to calculate taxes due, assign penalties, and create debit/credit entries for billing. Adjustments may be referred to staff for review, or could be rejected based on program rules. Rejected adjustments may be assessed an administrative fee of $25.00 per Social Security number record; this will be calculated and added to the employer's bill.

NOTE: All files must have an extension. All formats, except for the Comma- Delimited, should carry the extension '.txt'. The Comma-Delimited format should carry the extension '.csv'. Files transmitted without an extension will be rejected.

Below are links to a formatted Excel template for creating a Comma-Delimited file and instructions for converting wage detail information populated in the Excel file template to a .csv file:

• Excel template
• Instructions

Special File Formats / Reference Documents

	ACH Credit Payment File (Upload to US Bank) Payments file from agents reconciling payments for each employer account. This file is transmitted to US Bank. NOTE: No Tax Type Code is required on our Addenda Record. Reference Paying by Automated Clearing House (ACH) Credit for the Department's banking and account number information.
	Amount Balance (Download) Provides agents the total amount due for each employer account based on the quarterly submission and any outstanding employer debt. The file can be downloaded: prior to submitting wage detail – allowing agents to reconcile their payment amounts. after a wage detail submission and prior to a payment – allowing exact submission of electronic payments. NOTE: The Department will calculate taxes due based on wage detail submissions; agency calculations will be considered final.
	Benefits Paid Charges (Download) The file provides employers, and agents with: Benefits Paid Charge access, a detailed report for every payment, and adjustment transaction related to an employer’s account. NOTE: Statute has removed the ability for employers to protest Benefits Paid Charges. Bulk protests will not be accepted or processed. Protests deemed unjustified could be subject to a $500.00 administrative penalty per occurrence.
	Comma Delimited Payment Receipt File Format (Download) This is the data layout for the payment receipt file for each employer and agent.
	Employer Rates (Download) This file provides agents a list of employer rates. The file is provided only to agents with the wage detail role and includes the employer’s specific/unique rate factors and the standard MN Rate factors).