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How Connecticut sole proprietors can enroll in CT Paid Leave
Summary
CT Paid Leave’s Amber Forrest explains how sole proprietors and self-employed individuals can register: create a ct.gov account, use a Social Security number for SoleProp enrollment, expect a 0.5% contribution up to the Social Security limit, remain enrolled three years, and follow a temporary FEIN workaround.
Amber Forrest, executive assistant for CT Paid Leave, walked sole proprietors through enrollment steps in a recorded “Paid Leave Spotlight” presentation, outlining eligibility, contribution rates and a temporary website warning.
Forrest said this guidance is for self-employed individuals who receive a 1099 or otherwise pay self-employment tax and who wish to opt into Connecticut’s paid-leave program. “You are a sole proprietor or self employed individual if you receive a 1099 or otherwise pay self employment taxes as defined by the IRS,” she said. She contrasted that group with W-2 employees, who the program treats as employees subject to mandatory participation.
The video gives several requirements and timelines. Forrest said participants must live in Connecticut to enroll, must contribute “one half of 1%” (0.5%) of self-employment income up to the annual contribution limit set at the same level as the Social Security contribution limit, and must remain in the program for a minimum of three years after opting in. She also explained the claim waiting period: beneficiaries may file for benefits no earlier than the first day of the month following three full calendar months after the date they enrolled.
How to register: Forrest demonstrated the website flow. She told viewers to sign in with or create a ct.gov account, then use the site banner for businesses and employers, select “Register your business,” and choose the sole proprietor/self-employed registration path. The registration checks for an existing account by searching last name plus the last four digits of the Social Security number to avoid duplicate accounts. Forrest emphasized that the owner must complete their own Sole Proprietor enrollment and that a worker, family member or spouse should not enroll the owner on their behalf.
If a sole proprietor also has W-2 employees, Forrest said they must create two accounts: an employer account to record employees’ wages and a separate sole-proprietor account (using the owner’s Social Security number) to record the proprietor’s self-employment wages. Each account receives its own account number.
The video includes practical instructions and format requirements: enter your Social Security number exactly as it appears on your card (3-2-4 format), enter your business legal name in the business-name field if you do not use a separate trade name, and provide a primary business location even if it is a home address. Registrants should estimate total annual payroll and indicate payroll frequency and how they will remit contributions.
A temporary website issue: Forrest warned the system currently does not distinguish employer registration fields from sole-proprietor fields. “Due to this glitch, we ask that you do not enter your FEIN or tax ID … during the sole proprietor registration process, as this may result in a dual registration,” she said, and added the agency expects a fix “early winter 2026.” Viewers are instructed to use the Contact Us portal if an incorrect or duplicate account is created or if the person who registered the account is no longer available.
Other items noted: CT Paid Leave asks registrants to provide demographic information but says the NAICS code field is no longer valid as of 04/30/2025 and will be removed. The agency also strongly recommends adding at least one additional authorized user to the business account so someone else can manage the account if the owner is unavailable.
After completing registration, the site redirects to a confirmation screen. Forrest cautioned against using the browser back button during registration (use the site’s 'Previous Step' button instead) to avoid being kicked out and having to restart. Once registered, users can go to My Account for Business to manage sole-prop information, business details, contacts, report income (including a zero amount), remit contributions and view other registered accounts.
Forrest closed by directing people to ctpaidleave.org for more resources and future instructional spotlights about managing accounts and remitting contributions.
