How Do I Report and Pay WSIB Premiums in Ontario, and When?
Updated: Oct 9
Short answer: You report and pay WSIB premiums in two steps: first report your payroll (insurable earnings), then pay the premium. In 2026, payroll of $1,000,000 or more is reported monthly, $20,000 to $999,999.99 quarterly, and under $20,000 annually. Quarterly reports are due April 30, July 31, October 31 and January 31.
A WSIB premium is the amount an Ontario employer pays for workplace insurance, calculated on payroll. Reporting and paying are separate steps, so a payment on its own does not replace the report. Remote Bookkeeping prepares and files these reports for small businesses across Canada, with published prices.
How do I report and pay WSIB premiums, step by step?
You tell the WSIB your payroll for the period, the premium is calculated from it, and you pay it by the due date. The WSIB calls this a two-step process.
Add up your payroll. Total what you paid to everyone you insure in the period, before taxes or deductions.
Take out what does not count. Deduct non-insurable earnings and anything above the annual maximum (see below).
Report. Enter the insurable earnings in WSIB online services. The premium is calculated for you and the report is processed immediately.
Pay. Pay the premium and any balance on the account in full by the due date.
Keep the proof. Save the confirmation number and your payroll working papers. This is general good bookkeeping practice, and it is what an auditor asks for.
Option | Report | Pay | Good to know |
WSIB online services | Yes | Yes | Processed immediately. Works on a mobile device. |
Online banking for businesses | Yes | Yes | Payment types are under "Compensation and Insurance Boards". Your bank may charge a fee. |
CRA My Business Account | Yes | Yes | Pre-authorized debit only. |
Pay now (Visa or Mastercard) | No | Yes | Service charge of 2.25% on credit cards, 1.75% on Visa Debit and Debit Mastercard. |
Personal online banking (bill payee) | No | Yes | Report separately. |
Yes | Yes | Remittance form and cheque. |
Anything not done through online services takes three to five business days to process. If you choose a payment-only option, you must still report your payroll separately.
When are WSIB premiums due?
It depends on your annual payroll. The WSIB sets three reporting frequencies, and the report and the payment are due on the same day.
Annual payroll | Frequency | Report and payment due |
$1,000,000 or more | Monthly | Last day of the following month (January is due February 28) |
$20,000 to $999,999.99 | Quarterly | April 30, July 31, October 31, January 31 |
Less than $20,000 | Annually | April 30 |
Two details catch people:
You report by pay date. The WSIB's Premium Remittance policy says earnings are reported for the day they are paid, not the day they are earned. Wages earned in January but paid in February go on the February report.
Annual reporters work from an estimate. If your actual payroll becomes higher than the estimated amount, contact the WSIB within 10 calendar days.
If you are not registered yet, start with whether your business has to register for WSIB.
What earnings do I have to report to the WSIB?
You report insurable earnings: the gross pay of everyone you are responsible for insuring, up to a yearly maximum per person. For 2026, the annual maximum is $121,700.
Include:
wages, salary and piece-work pay
overtime, vacation pay and sick pay
bonuses and commissions
taxable benefits included in box 14 of the T4, and room and board that is part of earnings
severance pay, if no Record of Employment has been issued
the labour portion of a contract, when the WSIB does not consider the contractor an independent operator
Leave out:
earnings above $121,700 for one person in the year
top-ups to EI maternity benefits
severance pay, if a Record of Employment has been issued
the earnings of owners and executive officers outside construction, unless they have optional insurance
Construction has its own rules for owners, partners and executive officers. The WSIB's page on how to report insurable earnings lists the common reporting errors. Unreported contractor payments and missed items such as vacation pay, bonuses and taxable benefits are on that list.
How do I calculate my WSIB premium?
Multiply your insurable earnings by your premium rate and divide by 100. If you have more than one classification (NAICS code), calculate each one separately.
Premium = insurable earnings x premium rate ÷ 100
Example: a business reports quarterly and paid $60,000 of insurable earnings in the quarter. At the 2026 average rate of $1.23 per $100 of payroll, the premium is $60,000 x 1.23 ÷ 100 = $738.
The average is only an illustration. Your own rate is on your premium rate statement in WSIB online services. The WSIB sets it from your insurable earnings, your number of claims and your claims costs. See the 2026 premium rates.
What happens if I report or pay WSIB premiums late?
A late report and a late payment are charged separately, under the WSIB's policy on non-compliance interest and charges.
What is late | What the WSIB charges |
Premium report not filed | 5% of a premium the WSIB derives from your reporting history. Charged once, and not reversed when you file. |
Balance not paid in full | Interest at the Bank of Canada rate plus 6%, charged monthly on the overdue amount. |
Reconciliation not filed | 1% of the derived premium, up to $1,000, for every month it stays outstanding. |
An unpaid balance also blocks a WSIB clearance certificate, which matters if a customer or general contractor asks for one.
Do I have to file a WSIB reconciliation?
Only if you report monthly, or if you closed your WSIB account during the year. Quarterly and annual reporters do not reconcile.
A reconciliation compares the premiums you reported during the year with the premium on your actual insurable earnings for the year. It is due March 31 of the following year, and monthly reporters can complete it in WSIB online services. If you owe a difference, interest on it runs from July 1 of the year being reconciled, so it pays to get the monthly reports right. A reconciliation for 2025 uses the 2025 maximum of $117,000.
How can a bookkeeper help with WSIB reporting?
The premium report comes straight out of the payroll records, so the person who keeps your payroll is well placed to prepare it. We prepare and file WSIB premium reports for clients, and workers' compensation returns in the other provinces. We also register clients with the WSIB and request clearances for them.
What this looks like in practice (general good bookkeeping practice):
payroll totals are tied to the pay registers before the report is filed
contractor payments are reviewed for the labour portion that must be reported
earnings over the annual maximum are tracked per person
due dates sit in the same calendar as payroll remittances and GST/HST
Our pricing is published, you build your own plan and pay only for the services you need, and it is the same for small businesses across Canada. See our services or contact us.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to report if my payroll is zero?
Yes. You must report even if your payroll is zero or your account has a credit. Enter 0 as the insurable earnings for the period. A report that is not filed by the due date brings a non-compliance charge.
Can I pay WSIB premiums by credit card?
Yes, by Visa or Mastercard through WSIB online services or the pay now option, with a 2.25% service charge. American Express is not accepted, and CRA My Business Account takes pre-authorized debit only.
What if my payroll grows during the year?
How often you report depends on your annual payroll. If you report on an estimate and your actual payroll becomes higher, contact the WSIB within 10 calendar days.
Does paying my balance clear the way for a clearance certificate?
If an outstanding balance is the only thing blocking it, paying through WSIB online services lets you get a clearance certificate immediately.
Sources
About Remote Bookkeeping
Remote Bookkeeping is a Canadian-owned firm providing monthly bookkeeping, financial reporting, payroll, HST/GST filing, year-end preparation and QuickBooks Online setup for small businesses across Canada. Founded by Lia and George, the firm brings more than 30 years of combined experience. Call (289) 867-0808 or 1-800-880-9141, or contact us. Related reading: How Do I Get a WSIB Clearance Certificate in Ontario?
This article is general information for Canadian small business owners. It is not tax, legal or accounting advice for your particular situation. Rates and thresholds change - always confirm against the source linked above or ask us.
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