Earned wage access (EWA) providers are required to register with the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI). Starting in 2026, annual reporting is also required. The first annual reports are due March 15, 2026. Annual reports must be submitted electronically through the DFPI’ DFPI’s Self-Service Portal.
For a list of the information that must be included in the report, see the DFPI regulations (Section 1045, Annual Reporting – Income-Based Advances).
The DFPI refers to EWA as income-based advances. It defines income-based advances as advances based on income the provider has reasonably determined to have accrued to the benefit of the consumer (employee) but that has not, at the time of the advance, been paid to the consumer (employee).
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Lia Coniglio, Esq., is Managing Editor of PayState Update and Senior Manager of State Payroll Information Resources for PayrollOrg.
