6 Weeks Until the Old WH-347 Is Rejected: Are You Ready?
— WH347.io Team
September 30, 2026 is six weeks away. After that date, contracting agencies must reject any WH-347 submitted on the old form. Here's a three-question readiness check — and what to do if you're not there yet.
September 30, 2026 is six weeks away. That's the last day contracting agencies can accept the old WH-347 certified payroll form. Starting October 1, submissions on the old form must be rejected — not flagged for correction, not returned with a grace period, rejected.
Six weeks sounds like plenty of time, but for contractors managing active projects with weekly submission cycles, the deadline tends to arrive faster than expected. This post covers what is changing, the specific hard deadline, and a three-question readiness check to tell you exactly where you stand right now.
What's Changing and Why
The Department of Labor issued a new WH-347 form to reflect the 2023 Davis-Bacon final rule — the most significant update to prevailing wage regulations in over 40 years. The updated form has revised Statement of Compliance language that aligns with the new regulatory definitions. It also carries a new OMB approval expiration date (March 31, 2029 on the new form, versus September 30, 2026 on the old one).
The core structure of the form — nine payroll columns, two-page layout, weekly submission cadence — is unchanged. The switch requires no retraining. For contractors using software that auto-updates, it's likely already done. For those using downloaded PDF templates or software that doesn't auto-update, action is required.
For the complete breakdown of what changed on the form, why it was updated, and the full September 30 timeline: New WH-347 Form: September 30, 2026 Deadline.
The Three-Question Readiness Check
Question 1: Do You Know Which Form Version You're On?
Pull up the most recent WH-347 PDF you generated — or generate a new one right now. Look at the footer of page 1. You're looking for the OMB expiration date:
- If it says 'Expires 03/31/2029' — you are on the new form. No action needed on the form version itself.
- If it says 'Expires 09/30/2026' — you are on the old form and need to make the switch before the deadline.
- If you're not sure where to find this — it's in the small print at the very bottom of page 1, typically on the left or center. If you can't locate it or the form doesn't have it, that's a sign you may be using an unofficial or very old template.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the WH-347 form expiration deadline?
The old WH-347 form (OMB No. 1235-0008, exp. 09/30/2026) is retired on September 30, 2026. Starting October 1, contracting agencies are required to reject certified payroll submissions made on the old form. The new form carries an expiration of March 31, 2029.
How do I tell if I'm using the new WH-347 form?
Check the footer of page 1 of your WH-347 form or PDF. The new form shows 'Expires 03/31/2029' next to OMB No. 1235-0008. The old form shows 'Expires 09/30/2026'. If you're using certified payroll software, generate a test PDF and check the footer.
What do I do if my certified payroll software hasn't updated to the new form?
Contact your vendor immediately and ask when the update will be available. Six weeks is sufficient time for the vendor to push an update, but you need to confirm it is in their plan. If they cannot update before the deadline, temporarily switch to a compliant tool or download the current form from dol.gov.
Do my subcontractors also have to switch to the new WH-347 form?
Yes. Every subcontractor on a covered project is independently responsible for their own certified payroll submissions. Each must use the new form starting October 1. As prime contractor, send written notice to all active subs now — six weeks is enough time for them to update their process if they know about the deadline.
Do I need to resubmit prior payrolls that were filed on the old form?
No. The September 30 deadline is prospective — it applies to submissions made on or after October 1, 2026. Payrolls already accepted by the contracting agency on the old form do not need to be retroactively resubmitted.
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