New WH-347 FAQ: Your Questions Answered (2 Weeks Left)
— WH347.io Team
Two weeks until the old WH-347 is rejected. These are the questions federal contractors are actually asking right now — from whether you can finish a project on the old form to what to do if your software hasn't updated.
Source caution — checked October 5, 2026: The September 30/October 1 rejection deadline and March 2029 replacement-form date asserted in this historical article are not supported by the current DOL instructions. The published form is Rev. January 2025, OMB Control No. 1235-0008, expiring January 31, 2028. Use of WH-347 itself is optional; required weekly payroll information and a signed compliance statement are not. An OMB approval expiration date is not, by itself, a filing deadline. Follow the current official DOL form instructions and your contracting agency's requirements, not the deadline claims below.
With two weeks until the September 30 deadline, the questions coming in from federal contractors are getting more specific. This post answers the most common ones — the situations that aren't covered in the original form announcement but that come up in practice when you're mid-project and trying to figure out exactly what you need to do.
For the full background on what changed and why, see: New WH-347 Form: September 30, 2026 Deadline.
Can I Finish a Project on the Old Form If I Started With It?
No. The deadline is form-version based, not project-start based. If you started a project in January using the old WH-347, that does not grandfather you in. Starting October 1, the old form is rejected regardless of when the project began or how many prior payrolls were submitted on it. You must switch to the new form for any submission made on or after October 1.
The practical implication: the last payroll you submit on the old form should cover work weeks ending on or before September 30. Any week-ending date of October 1 or later must be submitted on the new form.
What If My Software Hasn't Updated Yet?
Contact your software vendor immediately — not next week. Two weeks is enough time for a responsible vendor to push an update, but if they haven't done it yet, you need to know now rather than on September 30. Ask specifically: 'Does your software generate WH-347 PDFs using the new form (OMB No. 1235-0008, exp. March 31, 2029)?' Get a written answer.
If your vendor cannot confirm the update is live before the deadline, you have two options: temporarily switch to a tool that is already compliant (like WH347.io), or download the current form from dol.gov and complete it manually until your vendor updates. A manual submission on the correct form is better than a software-generated submission on the wrong one.
Is the New Form Accepted Now, Before the Deadline?
Yes. Contracting agencies can accept the new form now, before September 30 — the old form is simply being replaced, not held in reserve. There is no reason to wait until October 1 to switch. If your software or template has already been updated, start using the new form on your next submission. Earlier adoption is safer than waiting.
Does the Deadline Apply to XML Submissions (AASHTOWare / eCPR)?
A PDF revision does not establish an XML transition date. Compare our AASHTOWare upload workflow with the official Payroll XML Resource Kit, or our California eCPR export guide with DIR's reporting and XML requirements. Confirm the receiving portal's requirements separately.
The September 30 deadline specifically covers the WH-347 paper form and its PDF equivalent. For XML-based submissions — AASHTOWare PRL 1.2 or California eCPR — check with the specific portal. AASHTOWare and the California DIR eCPR system have their own schema requirements. If there is a schema update tied to the form changes, the portal will have its own published transition timeline.
WH347.io's XML exports are generated from the same underlying timecard data as its PDF exports and are updated to comply with current schema requirements.
What If My Contracting Agency Hasn't Told Me About the Change?
The obligation to use the correct form is yours, regardless of whether the contracting agency proactively notified you. The DOL published the new form and the September 30 deadline in the Federal Register. Lack of a reminder from the agency is not a defense for submitting on an expired form after the deadline.
That said, if you have an established contact at the contracting agency — a contracting officer or labor compliance specialist — it's worth a brief email or call to confirm their submission requirements and confirm they've seen the transition. Proactive communication with the agency is always useful documentation to have in your file.
Do Subcontractors Have Their Own Deadline?
Yes. Every contractor and subcontractor on a covered project is individually responsible for their own certified payroll submissions. Each sub must be on the new form by October 1, regardless of what the prime is doing. As prime contractor, notify all active subs now — two weeks is enough time for them to update their process, but only if they know it's coming.
Ready to make the switch? Start generating compliant WH-347 reports on WH347.io — the Starter plan is free with no submission limit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep using the old WH-347 for a project I started before October 1?
No. The deadline is not grandfathered by project start date. Starting October 1, contracting agencies must reject any submission on the old form, regardless of when the project began. Switch to the new form for any submission with a week-ending date of October 1 or later.
Is the new WH-347 form accepted before September 30?
Yes. The new form is currently accepted and there is no reason to wait. If your software or template is already updated to the new form, start using it now. Earlier adoption is safer.
What should I do if my certified payroll software hasn't updated to the new form yet?
Contact your vendor immediately and ask specifically whether their WH-347 PDF output uses OMB No. 1235-0008 with a March 31, 2029 expiration date. If they cannot confirm the update before the deadline, temporarily switch to a compliant tool or download the current form from dol.gov and complete it manually.
Does the September 30 deadline apply to XML submissions for AASHTOWare or California eCPR?
The September 30 deadline covers the WH-347 PDF and paper form. XML-based systems like AASHTOWare and California eCPR have their own schema requirements and may have separate transition timelines. Check with the specific portal for their current requirements.
Are my subcontractors subject to the same October 1 deadline?
Yes. Every subcontractor is individually responsible for their own certified payroll submissions. Each must switch to the new form by October 1. As prime contractor, notify all active subs now so they have time to update before the deadline.