True-Up Process

Published July 23, 2025 By Julia Bowling, Program Manager, Sedgwick

The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) provides workers’ compensation coverage based on estimated payroll. Therefore, at the end of the policy year, BWC asks employers to report their actual payroll for the prior policy year and pay any shortage (or receive a refund for any overage) in premium. This process is called a true-up. If the true-up is not completed timely, the following may occur:

• Employer will not be eligible for prior year rebates and incentives
• Employer will be removed from current year programs
• Employer will become ineligible for programs the following year and will continue to remain ineligible for all future years until all past true-ups are completed.

How to report payroll and complete the true-up

Although employers may contact BWC at (800) OHIO-BWC (800.644.6292) and complete their true-up report over the phone, BWC anticipates high call volumes and long wait times. They strongly encourage employers to complete their true-up report online through their BWC e-account at www.bwc.ohio.gov. If you do not have an e- account, simply select the Create E-Account Link to begin. You will need your BWC policy number and/or Federal Tax Identification Number.

Deadlines

Private employers - True-up report must be completed and payment received no later than August 31, 2025.
Public employers - True-up report must be completed and payment received no later than February 28, 2026.

Please note: There is no longer a grace period. True-up and payment (if owed) must be POSTED by the deadline date.

If you have any questions, contact our Sedgwick program manager, Julia Bowling, julia.bowling@sedgwick.com or via phone (513) 218-4062.