MiUI Is Here: What Michigan Employers Need to Know

If you are a Michigan employer, you have probably heard the name MiUI by now. Maybe you received one of our emails. Maybe you got something from the state. Maybe you are still not entirely sure what it means for your business or what you are supposed to do about it.

This article is here to clear all of that up, including a clarification on something we want to make sure we communicated correctly.

We are going to walk you through what MiUI is, why it matters, what has made this transition more complicated than expected, and exactly what you need to do. We will also clarify where Accurate Pay Systems fits in and where your own account access becomes essential.

What Is MiUI?

MiUI stands for Michigan Unemployment Insurance. It is the State of Michigan's brand-new unemployment tax and benefits system, and it replaces the platform Michigan employers have used for years: MiWAM (Michigan Web Account Manager).

The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) launched MiUI in two phases:

• Phase 1 (Tax functions): Went live on February 23, 2026. This covers filing quarterly wage reports, making payments, uploading wage files, and managing your unemployment tax account. As your payroll provider, we handle this side on your behalf.

• Phase 2 (Benefits functions): Coming later in 2026. This phase will handle unemployment claims, appeals, and benefit charge management. This is the portion that requires you, as the employer, to have your own active MiUI account.

The short version: MiUI is now the system Michigan uses for unemployment. MiWAM is being phased out. And while we handle your tax filings, your own account access matters more than ever for what is coming next.

An Important Clarification for APS Clients

We want to address something directly.

We already have the TPA access we need to file and pay your quarterly unemployment wage reports on your behalf. That part is handled. If you received a recent email from us about MiUI and were unsure whether we needed something from you urgently for filing purposes, the short answer is: if you can log into MiUI, you are all set for now.

The reason we have been reaching out is because of what is coming later this year, and we want to make sure you are prepared for it before it arrives.

Why Your Own MiUI Account Access Matters

Here is the part that directly affects you as the employer.

When the UIA launches MiUI for Benefits later this year, that system will handle unemployment claims, appeals, and benefit charges. It is the part of the system that allows you to protest or appeal unemployment benefit charges filed against your account.

It is important to understand that Accurate Pay Systems does not manage unemployment benefit claims on your behalf. That is something only you, as the employer, can do. And to do it, you will need your own active MiUI account.

If your account is not active when benefits functions launch, you could miss the window to contest charges entirely. That means you could end up paying unemployment benefits that you may have had every right to appeal.

A few other things to know:

• Unemployment benefits are still being managed through MiWAM for now. You will not see any benefit information in MiUI yet.

• The activation code referenced in earlier communications was only needed to initially set up MiUI access. If your account is already active, you do not need to worry about that.

• If you are unsure whether your account is active, visit the MiUI FAQs page listed in the Quick Reference section below.

What You Need to Do: A Step-by-Step Breakdown

Here is exactly what needs to happen to get your account set up and keep your compliance on track.

Step 1: Create or Access Your MiLogin for Business Account

MiUI does not have its own separate login. Instead, it uses Michigan's single sign-on system called MiLogin for Business. You may already have one of these if you have ever accessed MTO (Michigan Treasury Online) or LARA (the state system for annual business report filings and license renewals).

Important: your old MiWAM username and password cannot be used to log into MiLogin for Business. These are separate systems.

If you do not yet have a MiLogin for Business account, you will need to create one. You can do so through the UIA's website, and MiUI will automatically be added as a service when you log in that way.

Step 2: Retrieve Your MiUI Activation Code from MiWAM

Even though MiWAM is being replaced, you still need to log into your MiWAM account one more time to retrieve your 8-digit MiUI Activation Code. This code is what you will use to initiate your MiUI account.

To find it: log into MiWAM and look for the "MiUI Activation Code" tab on the landing page. This tab is only visible to users with a MiWAM Master role.

If you do not see the tab, you may not have the right access level. In that case, email MiWAMSupport@Michigan.govwith your employer account number, username, and title to request access.

One more important note: if the person who originally set up your MiLogin account is no longer with your company, there is a separate form that must be completed to update the account owner before you can proceed. Contact the Office of Employer Ombudsman (OEO) for help at 1-855-484-2636, Option 4.

Step 3: Initiate Your MiUI Account

Once you have your activation code, you can use it to initiate your MiUI account. This step must be completed by you as the business owner. Even if some permissions appeared to carry over from MiWAM, the UIA requires all employers to initiate their own accounts directly.

For step-by-step guidance, visit MiUI University: https://www.michigan.gov/leo/bureaus-agencies/uia/miui-university

Step 4: Confirm TPA Access for Accurate Pay Systems

Once your MiUI account is active, please confirm that Accurate Pay Systems is listed as your Third-Party Administrator (TPA). This is what authorizes us to file and pay your quarterly wage reports on your behalf. If you are unsure whether we have access or need help checking, reach out to our office and we will sort it out together.

What's New: Important Updates from the UIA (July 2026)

The UIA's July 2026 Employer Advisor newsletter included several updates worth knowing about.

Quarterly wage reports are due July 27, 2026. Reports and payments must be filed in MiUI by that date. Late or incomplete filings can result in penalty and interest charges. A quarterly report must be filed every quarter, even if you had no payroll or are unable to make a payment.

The UIA has launched a new Tax Issue Tracker. This replaces the old UIA-MiUIEmployerSupport@Michigan.govemail inbox. If you need technical help with MiUI, MiLogin, MiWAM, or other tax-related issues, you can now submit a request through the Issue Tracker and receive a tracking number to monitor its status. Reach the Office of Employer Ombudsman by phone at 1-855-484-2636, Option 4.

New Michigan unemployment laws took effect in July 2026. A few changes worth noting for employers:

• The Work Share Program is expanding, giving employers more flexibility to reduce employee hours during economic downturns without resorting to layoffs.

• Employers involved in unemployment cases before an administrative law judge with multiple related hearings can now have those consolidated into a single proceeding, streamlining the appeals process.

• Employers will not be charged for unemployment benefits paid to workers who leave their jobs due to domestic violence or abuse. Those benefits will instead be charged to a nonchargeable benefits account.

These changes are effective now. If any of them affect your business, we are happy to walk you through what they mean for your account.

Where Things Stand and How We Can Help

For most of our clients, TPA access is already in place and quarterly filings are being handled. If you have questions about your specific account status, please do not hesitate to reach out.

What we want to make sure every client has taken care of is their own MiUI account access. That is the piece only you can complete, and it is the piece that will matter most when MiUI for Benefits launches later this year.

If you need help navigating the setup process, we are happy to walk you through it. We cannot log into your account or manage benefit claims on your behalf, but we can answer your questions and point you in the right direction every step of the way.

Call our office, reply to any of our emails, or use the contact information below.

Quick Reference: Key Links and Contact Information

MiUI University (setup guides and resources): https://www.michigan.gov/leo/bureaus-agencies/uia/miui-university

MiUI for Employers (account initiation): https://www.michigan.gov/leo/bureaus-agencies/uia/miui-university/miui-resources-for-employers-and-tpas

MiUI FAQs (including reactivation help): https://www.michigan.gov/leo/bureaus-agencies/uia/miui-university/miui-faq/miui-for-employers/account-maintenance

MiWAM Support (activation code access issues): MiWAMSupport@Michigan.gov

UIA Tax Issue Tracker: Office of Employer Ombudsman: 1-855-484-2636, Option 4

Accurate Pay Systems: office@accupayinc.com | (844) 9-APSINC (844-927-7462)

Already an APS Client?

If you can log into MiUI, you are all set for now. Our team already has the TPA access needed to file your quarterly wage reports on your behalf.

The next step is making sure your own account is active and ready before MiUI for Benefits launches later this year. That is when you will need direct access to manage any unemployment claims or benefit charges on your account. We do not handle that side, so having your own access in place is essential.

If you have questions about your account status or need help finding your way around MiUI, reach out and we will help however we can.

office@accupayinc.com | (844) 9-APSINC (844-927-7462)

Not Yet an APS Client?

If you found this article and are not currently working with us, we are glad you are here.

Navigating payroll compliance, unemployment filings, and system transitions like MiUI is exactly what we do every day. We take the guesswork out of it so you can focus on running your business.

If you have been thinking about outsourcing your payroll or switching providers, we would love to connect. Getting started is simple and we will handle the heavy lifting from day one.

Reach out to us to learn more about becoming a client:

office@accupayinc.com | (844) 9-APSINC (844-927-7462) | www.accupayinc.com

We would love to help.

Accurate Pay Systems is a Michigan-based payroll and HR services company dedicated to helping businesses stay compliant and stay confident. This article was written for our current clients navigating the MiUI transition. For general questions or to inquire about our services, please contact us anytime.