Set up your Washington State LLC without the hassle.
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There are many reasons to form an LLC in Washington. Here are the main ones:
Legal protection in case of bankruptcy or lawsuits
Separation of personal and business assets
Tax benefits: flexibility & pass-through taxation
Increasing credibility and trust for your business
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In Washington State, one of the main benefits of choosing an LLC as your business structure is the Flow-Through Taxation. This helps individual members avoid paying corporate and individual tax every year. There are over 50 tax incentives offered by the Washington State Department of Revenue that could benefit your business in addition to deductions, credits, and sales and use tax deferrals. Make sure to review the Washington State’s Department of Revenue website for additional information on incentives and loans.
Washington is considered to be one of the best states to start a business in, boasting the 2# fastest growing economy, and a strong industry and tech sector. It’s been chosen to be the best state in overall score in the US. With its natural resources and thriving small business sector, there is no wonder that Washington is a popular destination for new business owners looking to start an LLC.
If you’re considering starting a business in the state of Washington, there are a few things you should know. First, the type of business entity you choose is important. The most common is an LLC.
Forming an LLC and getting your business official is an important step in the growth of your Washington state-based business. We know that as an entrepreneur you have a lot on your plate, and this is exactly why we created this guide! Read on to get a detailed breakdown of each step of the process of forming a new LLC.
Here are the steps you’ll take to file and obtain your LLC in Washington State:
Below, you’ll find a detailed explanation to walk you through each step.
Washington has very specific guidelines to follow when naming a business to avoid rejection of the application or additional issues with the state.
When naming your business in Washington, there are a few things to know:
Washington State requires each business entity have a registered agent. This is to make sure important documents, legal correspondence, or packages are always able to be delivered during normal business hours. Some states call this a “Resident Agent” or some other term.
There are two types of registered agent in Washington State: Commercial and Non-commercial. The Washington State statutes governing registered agents RCW Title 25, Chapter 25.15, Section 25.15.021 should be carefully read and understood. Generally, registered agent costs vary between $100 and $300 per year. Individuals over the age of 18 can be registered agents.
To be a registered agent:
After you named your business and chose a registered agent, it’s time to officially register your LLC! This is done by filling a form called “certificate of formation” to the Washington state Secretary of State.
This form will contain the basic information about your business, like the purpose of the business, the registered agent, and the contact information of the LLC members. Read on for a detailed walkthrough.
This is an exciting step! Soon, your WA state LLC will be officially registered.
Unified Business Identifier (UBI): If the entity has previously filed with another state agency, a 9-digit UBI number may already be issued. If there is no UBI number, select “No.”
Name: The chosen name of the LLC in accordance with the rules of Washington State.
Duration: The intended use and duration of the LLC, whether perpetual or limited.
Effective Date: The effective date of the filing.
Registered Agent: Every business entity must have a Registered Agent in Washington State. Entities are required to select only one type of agent, with the signature of the agent for consent. The name and title of the person must also be printed with the date.
There are two types of Registered Agents. The Commercial Registered Agent is registered with the Office of the Secretary of State whose business is designed to receive legal documents, notice, or demand required or permitted by law to be served on behalf of the entity. Their address is verified and on record with the Office of the Secretary of State.
A Noncommercial Registered Agent has agreed to receive legal documents, notice, or demand or permitted by law to be served on behalf of the entity. The LLC must choose one of these options.
Principal Office: This is the place where the records of the entity are kept. It must be a physical address. Post office boxes are not allowed, but a home address may be listed. The address is not required to be in Washington State.
Return Address for the Filing: This is an optional section used when documents are to be sent in addition to the Registered Agent’s address.
Executor Information: This is the person(s) forming the LLC. Full names and addresses of each Executor are required, along with their signature.
There are no age requirements to file an LLC, and additional members/managers names are not required to be listed in the Certificate of Formation.
The total fees for registering your LLC in Washington are $200, which includes the $180 state filing fee, and a $20 processing fee (for online filing).
Other filing fees for the documents for in WA State can include (if you need to file them):
LLC filing documents may be completed online with the Secretary of State. Forms may also be printed, written, or typewritten and mailed to the Washington Secretary of State at P.O. Box 40234, Olympia, WA 98504-0234. Documents sent overnight should be mailed to 801 Capitol Way S, Olympia, WA 98501-1226. Please make sure to follow all instructions and fully complete all documents to avoid delays.
Once your LLC is officially formed in Washington, there’s one more step to complete early on: filing your Initial Report. This is a mandatory filing that must be submitted to the Secretary of State within 120 days of your LLC’s formation date.
The Initial Report provides the state with key business information, including:
There is no filing fee for the initial report if it’s filed on time, and it can be completed online through the Washington Business Licensing Service.
It’s important not to overlook this step, since missing the 120-day deadline may lead to late fees or put your LLC at risk of losing good standing. We makes it easy for you to stay compliant by providing this service as part of your LLC formation.
While Washington State does not require LLCs to have an operating agreement, it is advised to prepare one.
Operating agreements establish how the LLC will be run, setting out the rights and responsibilities of each member and manager. Although an internal document, it helps avoid disputes and discrepancies within the LLC. It helps ensure everyone is on the same page and working in sync toward the same goal.
This is a legally binding document outlining ownership, operating procedures, and parameters for the LLC. It is not required but highly advised to offer protection for each member against conflicts that may occur in the future.
The operating agreement does not have to be filed with the Secretary of State but should be filed internally with all important formation documents.
An Employer Identification Number or EIN is required for every registered business entity in the U.S. by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This is like a Social Security number for your business and keeps your personal and business information separate. There are many benefits to having an EIN:
It is very simple to obtain an EIN. Go to the IRS website and fill out form SS-4 for an LLC EIN. There are specific questions you must answer, in addition to the Social Security number of the principal(s). A physical address for the LLC is also needed, which can be a principal’s address or the address of the Registered Agent.
All business and tax-related matters will need your EIN, as this is how the IRS identifies you. Tailor Brands can assist in getting your EIN set up for business.
After forming your LLC, you’ll need to check whether your business must apply for a Washington state business license. Not every LLC is automatically required to have one, but most do, especially if you plan to operate beyond a very small scale.
You’re required obtain a business license from the Washington Department of Revenue if any of the following apply:
The license is issued through the Washington Business Licensing Service (BLS), and the application can be completed online. In many cases, this is submitted at the same time as your Initial Report.
If your LLC is a very small, unregulated business with no employees and minimal earnings, you may not need a license. However, it’s a good idea to check directly with the state or use Tailor Brands to help you assess your obligations during setup.
Washington State requires LLCs to file an initial report filing within 120 days of incorporation. Additionally, all LLCs must file an annual report on or before the last day of the anniversary month of incorporation. The associated fee is $69. A renewal notice is sent to the registered agent 45 days before the annual report is due. An EIN is required for LLCs that have employees. Banks also require this to open a bank account. Washington State also requires a state tax identification number.
All businesses must obtain a state business license. The state license and most city and county licenses can be registered on the Department of Revenue website. If the city or town is not listed, they will have to be contacted separately. This information is further detailed on the Washington State Department of Licensing website. Depending on the nature of your business, you may have to obtain additional permits and licenses. Your local government office will be able to guide you on the requirements to ensure you are compliant with the law.
Sales tax permits may also be required from the Department of Revenue. Businesses with $12,000 or more in revenue or required to collect sales tax must register with the Washington Department of Revenue. There is no income tax on businesses or individuals, but a business and occupation tax is assessed on gross business income.
This step-by-step guide details the steps and requirements you need to name your LLC in Washington.
There are different costs to form an LLC in Washington and maintain it. We’ve listed all of them in this post.
A Washington registered agent is a mandatory step in your LLC formation process – learn more about it.
This post details which licenses and permits your Washington LLC may require and how to obtain them.
At Tailor Brands, we love nothing more than helping people start their business. We take care of the LLC filing and offer additional services so you can focus on launching and growing your business, while staying informed and compliant with state regulations.
Here’s why people choose to form their LLC with us:
Our products are user friendly, all you need to do is answer a few questions about your business and let us take care of all the rest.
Our platform is easy to use and is optimally designed to guide you through your LLC formation process and business journey.
We offer more products to help you set and manage your business like registered agent, business licenses, and annual report.
For more reviews from our customers, visit our reviews page.
Filling for a WA LLC online will cost $200 ($180 state filing fee + $20 processing fee). In addition, after the LLC is created you would need to pay an annual report fee of $60. It is also possible to file by mail, which costs $180, or in person. Registering a trade name will cost you another $5, plus a $90 processing fee. In addition, you may incur other costs from a registered agent service, and from obtaining the necessary permits and licenses relevant to your business, these costs will vary depending on your unique situation. Read more about Washington State LLC costs here and here.
Yes. There are a few states in which every new business needs to obtain a license, Washington state is one of those states. Depending on where the LLC operates and what is your industry, you may need to obtain additional licenses and permits. These can include anything from general local licenses that municipalities and counties issue, to specialized permissions such as building permits or special woodwork license.
An attorney and/or your local Washington state municipality can help identify any licenses or permits that your LLC might need. Learn more on obtaining a license on the Washington Department of Revenue website Form 700 028.
Yes, you can be your own registered agent in Washington state. Note that you would need to be available to receive documents at regular business hours, and that your address and personal information will be part of the public record.
No, when you form your LLC your name will automatically be listed in the Secretary of State. You only need to reserve the name in advance if you want to make sure nobody else uses it in the time it takes you to register.
If you’re no longer doing business, you can dissolve your LLC by filling out and mailing a Certificate of Dissolution form found on the Secretary of State website. There is no fee required. You can also file your dissolution online, learn more here.
When forming your LLC in WA, you can look up existing businesses names on the DOR online business lookup system. Or by using the Washington Secretary of State business name database.
As mentioned above, Washington state does not require LLCs to have an operating agreement, but it is advised to prepare one. It is highly recommended since it can offer protection for each member against conflicts that may occur in the future. The operating agreement does not need to be filed with the Secretary of State but should be kept internally in the company office with the rest of the company documents.
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This portion of our website is for informational purposes only. Tailor Brands is not a law firm, and none of the information on this website constitutes or is intended to convey legal advice. All statements, opinions, recommendations, and conclusions are solely the expression of the author and provided on an as-is basis. Accordingly, Tailor Brands is not responsible for the information and/or its accuracy or completeness.
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