Information on the Multi-State Initiative & Payroll Withholding Implications

I am a hybrid employee working in both RI and MA. How will my state payroll withholdings be handled?

RI will be considered your primary work state with RI state payroll taxes withheld from your pay.

I am currently remote but will be relocating in 30 days. How will this impact my state payroll withholdings?

This change would require a new AWA and new W-4 elections. Upon approval of your AWA, your withholdings will change to reflect your new state withholding taxes, or RI state payroll taxes if the University is not registered in that state.

I am fully remote in one of the states that Brown is registered to do business (i.e MA); how will this impact my state payroll withholdings?

You will no longer have RI state specific taxes withheld from your pay. Instead, you will be treated as a MA employee with all applicable MA state withholding taxes deducted from your pay.

I am fully remote in one of the states Brown has not registered to do business; how will this impact my state payroll withholdings?

You will be taxed according to the university’s primary place of business, which is RI. All applicable RI payroll withholdings will be withheld from your pay.  

Do I need to change my federal W-4 form?

This initiative will not affect your federal income taxes withheld from your pay. You would only update your federal W-4 form if you choose to change your federal income tax elections.

Do I need to complete a new state W-4 form in Workday?

If you are working fully-remote in a state in which the university is registered but is outside of RI, you should complete the state’s withholding election form in Workday.

How do I update my withholding for state taxes?

You can update your state elections at any time directly through Workday.  For assistance, please see Change Withholding Elections.

Additional Questions?

Contact [email protected] with any questions on the process or on how your state payroll withholdings will be impacted. Please note that we are unable to offer tax advice or information asked about the forms as we are not trained in income tax preparation. We strongly encourage employees to speak with a tax professional.