This guide explains how to manually update your Workers’ Compensation rates in ZonePayroll for the new year. This must be completed before your first payroll run in January.
Key Dates & Requirements
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Task Type | Annual (required) |
| Effective Date | January 1 |
| Deadline | Before the first payroll of the year |
| Coverage | Apply only where Workers’ Compensation applies |
| Rate Setup | Add a new rate – do not override existing rates |
| Testing | Required using payroll rollback |
Important Warnings
| Warning | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Do not override existing rates | This preserves your prior-year payroll history. |
| Do not reuse last year’s rate | Rates change annually; using old rates will cause incorrect premiums calculations and remittances. |
| Do not skip testing | Testing prevents incorrect contributions in live runs. |
| Confirm correct policy | Multiple policies may exist; ensure you are in the right one. |
⚖️ System Responsibilities
| Feature | Responsibility | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Premium Rate | Employer (Manual) | Rates are specific to your individual business classification and claims history. |
| Assessable Earnings Cap | ZonePayroll (Auto) | These are statutory limits set by the government that apply to all employers in a province. |
Step 1: Open the Workers’ Compensation Policy
Use the Global Search bar at the top of the page.
Search for Workers’ Compensation Policy.
Open the correct policy for your specific needs.
Step 2: Add the New Annual Rate
View the selected policy and navigate to the Premium Rates section.
-
Select Add New Rate.
Warning: Do not edit or override existing historical rates.
Enter the updated Workers’ Compensation rate provided by your provincial board.
Set the effective date to January 1 using the calendar dropdown.
Click Save to finalize the new rate
Step 3: Test and Verify
Open a new payrun with a date of January 1 or later.
Verify that the premium is calculating using the new 2026 rate.
Once confirmed, you must rollback the test payrun to clear the data.
2025 Workers’ Compensation Reference Table
⚠️ Important Note on Deadlines
Please visit the official government body websites (linked below) to confirm filing deadlines for your specific account. Dates and requirements are subject to revision by provincial authorities throughout the year.
Use the following information to verify assessable earnings limits for 2025:
| Province or Territory | Workers' Compensation Body | Filing Deadline | 2025 Maximum Assessable Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | WCB Alberta | February 28 | $106,400 |
| British Columbia | WorkSafeBC | Last day of Feb (quarterly); Mar 1–15 (yearly) | $121,500 |
| Manitoba | WCB Manitoba | February 28 | $167,050 |
| New Brunswick | WorkSafeNB | February 28 | $84,200 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | WorkplaceNL | February 28 | $79,345 |
| Northwest Territories | WSCC | February 28 | $112,600 |
| Nova Scotia | WCB Nova Scotia | February 28 | $76,300 |
| Nunavut | WSCC | February 28 | $113,900 |
| Ontario | WSIB | Last day of March | $117,000 |
| Prince Edward Island | WCB PEI | February 28 | $82,900 |
| Quebec | CNESST | Before March 15 | $98,000 |
| Saskatchewan | WCB Saskatchewan | February 28 | $104,531 |
| Yukon | WCB Yukon | Last day of February | $104,975 |
📅 Annual Reminder: Mark Your Calendar!
Set a recurring reminder so you don't miss this mandatory task:
⏰ When: Every December (before your first January payroll).
📝 Action: Create a new Workers’ Compensation rate record with an effective date of January 1.
⚠️ Why: Rates change annually. Using an old rate will lead to incorrect premiums and remittances.