Bulk filing in the Employer Account Management System (EAMS)

For business owners or employer agents who prepare quarterly reports for many clients and submit them in a single file. Use bulk filing to submit and amend reports, and pay taxes.

Bulk filing was formerly known as ICESA Washington Reporting.

When to use bulk filing

If you are reporting wages for 5,000 employees or more, you need to use bulk filing. Or you can split your file into separate files of up to 5,000 employees. But we recommend bulk filing instead.

Bulk filing also works well for anyone filing for multiple employers at one time, such as employer agents.

With bulk filing, you can:

  • Upload a test or production file and receive instant validation results and confirmation.
  • Make multiple amendments at once to quarterly reports you previously bulk-filed online.
  • Pay taxes online with 1 payment for single or multiple accounts.
  • Check tax rates for single or multiple accounts.

How to bulk file with EAMS

  1. Create an EAMS account if you do not already have one. Find instructions on the about eServices for employers page.

  2. Read and follow instructions on the importing wage files in EAMS page.

    Please refer to these details:

  3. The system will calculate tax totals, called "T Records." Accept our calculations or correct your file before submitting.

    Correct all errors to get a confirmation number. The confirmation ensures that you submitted successfully. We may charge a penalty if you do not file correctly.

How to make payments using bulk filing

Pay online using EAMS

  1. Upload a file using bulk filing.
  2. Receive a confirmation number. This number confirms that you submitted your file successfully.
  3. Make your payment for a single account or a combined payment for multiple accounts.

Pay by mail

The paper remittance lists labeled "ICESA WASHINGTON REPORTING" show the following details in the order below:

  • Employment Security Department (ESD) number.
  • Amount remitted.
  • Check number.
  • Federal ID number.
  • Unified Business Identifier (UBI).
  • Business name.

Remittance listings have a maximum of 50 accounts per page. Each page includes a total for that page.

  1. Include information for 1 ESD number per line.
  2. Write a separate check for each account. In the memo field, list the ESD number for that payment. The amount of the check must equal the payment due and the amount remitted listed in the T Record. See technical specifications on bulk filing (PDF, 564 KB) for details.
  3. Put the checks in the same order as the remittance listing page. If you do not, the bank might return your checks. And we might charge you penalties or interest.

  4. Mail each remittance list with the corresponding checks to:

    Employment Security Department
    P.O. Box 35114
    Seattle, WA 98124-5114

How to amend a report using bulk filing

If you filed wages under the wrong ESD Number

  1. Remove the wages from the wrong number

    On your amended report, list wages and hours for all employees as 0.

    Enter 02 in the "Reason for Amending Employee Wage Record" field.

  2. File the wages under the correct number

    Submit an original report that lists the actual wages and hours for all employees.

    Or, if you previously submitted an original report for the correct business, submit an amended report. List the corrected employee wages and hours and the appropriate reason code.

If you filed wages under the wrong year and quarter

  1. Remove the wages from the wrong year and quarter

    On an amended report, list wages and hours for all employees as 0.

    Enter 20 in the "Reason for Amending Employee Wage Record" field.

  2. File the wages on the correct year and quarter

    Submit an original report that lists the actual wages and hours for all employees.

    Or, if you previously submitted an original report, submit an amended report in a separate file. Include the corrected employee wages and hours and the appropriate reason code.

    Refer to the technical specifications on bulk filing (PDF, 564 KB) for more information.

Contact us

Questions about tax accounts or options for filing and paying

  • Find contact information in the "Employer tax payments" section of our contact us page.
  • Call 855-829-9243, option 2.

Technical questions about filing and submitting in ICESA format

Email UIFTSupport@esd.wa.gov.