Pricing $89.00 per year, special for pre-pay $40 per year

Don’t get fooled by companies claiming the lowest price and increasing it later. Our pricing is very simple. We charge $89 per year. We also have few specials. Whenever you decide to pre-pay additional years you get them for $40/year.

Why you need a Registered Agent?

Washington State laws require business entities to maintain a Resident Agent in the state that you form your business. The agent’s name and office address are included in the Articles of Incorporation or Articles of Organization to give public notice of where to send important documents to your business entity.

If you need Registered agent in other State than Washington click here.
We offer Registered Agent service in all 50 States.

State Fee for changing Washington Registered Agent

For Corporations: Change or Resignation of Registered Agent: $0.00

Registered Agent Requirements

Statement of Information is an initial statement of officers or member/managers that must be filed with the Washington Secretary of State within 90 days after filing original articles, and every year thereafter in the applicable filing period. For LLC’s there is an addition Franchise Tax that is $800 per year. The first payment must be made within 3 months of your LLC.

In Washington, new companies (except non-profit entities) must file an Initial Annual report. This filing is due no later than 120 days of the company’s filing date.

Annual license renewals are $71 and are due before the last day of the anniversary month in which it was incorporated.

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Once you have formed a business in Washington, you need to find out if your business requires a license to operate in the state. Business license in Washington is categorized under the following:

• A General License: It is important to know that most Washington businesses are licensed through either a state agency or a local agency like the city clerk or counties. The application for business licensing is reviewed by the Department of Revenue’s Business Licensing Office.
• Specific Licensing for Regulated Industries and Professions: Different types of businesses or business activities have different licensing needs. Apart from a general business license, you may also be required to obtain additional licenses also defined as specialty licenses and permits.

You can apply for licenses or renew them online, through mail or in-person.

How to Get a Business License in Washington

Where and how do you apply for a business license in Washington? Does your business fall under the “specialized licenses” or “general license” category? Does your business entity require multiple permits or licenses? Who is the issuing authority for these licenses or permits? The only way to answer these questions is through an understanding of the process of business licensing.

Here is a step-by-step approach towards acquiring a business license in the state of Washington:

Step#1: The Industry or Business Type

How would you know what type of business or professional license is required to operate in Washington? The type of industry or the activities of a business entity helps in identifying the type of business license required. It is also important to note that some businesses will require only a permit and not a license.

Let’s take a look at some examples to understand this better:

Industry or Type of Business – Vehicle manufacturer, Vehicle transport and disposal, Architect Firm, Cigarette retailer, Collection agency—in state, Collection agency—out of state, Liquor endorsements, Seed dealer, Seller of travel

• A Washington Company License is required for all these businesses except that these require specialty licenses.
• The license is being issued by the State of Washington – Business Licensing Service.
• Fee: The fee varies with the type of business like the fee for an Architect Firm is $278 plus Architect Surcharge of $6.50 plus $19 non-refundable business license fee.
• Filing: You can file business license application ONLINE or submit the Application through mail or in-person. Architect Firm Application

Industry or Type of Business – Transient Accommodations (Hotels and Motels)

• A Washington company license is required for Transient accommodations pursuant to RCW 70.62 and that includes:
  – Hotels
  – Motels
  – Resorts
  – Bed and breakfasts
  – Inns
  – Hostels
  – Apartments
  – Condominiums
  – Crisis shelters
  – Retreats
  – Rustic resorts
• License issued by: Washington State Department of Health
• Fee: The business license fee varies according to the number of “Lodging Units” e.g: the license fee for an establishment with 3 – 10 lodging units will have a fee of $198 while the fee for 50 or more lodging units is $795.Transient Accommodations License Application

Industry or Type of Business – Liquor License

• A Liquor License in the state of Washington can be categorized under:
  – Retail Licenses: Licenses issued for Grocery stores, restaurants, clubs, taverns, etc.
  – Non-Retail Licenses: Washington company license issued for Breweries, wineries, distilleries, distributors, importers etc.
  Note: A liquor license in Washington is basically an endorsement on your business license that has been issued by the Washington State Department of Revenue (DOR) Business Licensing Service.
• Fee: The licensing fee will vary according to the type of retail or non-retail business. Let’s look at some examples. The fee for the following is:
  – Combination Spirits / Beer / Wine Off-Premises Retail License – Specialty Shop – $316
  – A Grocery Store selling beer or wine – $150
  – Hotels with at least 20 rooms and serving spirits, beer and wine – $2,000
  – Private Club – Spirits, Beer and Wine – $720
  – Spirits Distributor (Non-retail) – $1,320
  – Beer Distributor – $660
  – Domestic Winery – Production of less than 250,000 liters per year – $100
• Filing: You can submit liquor business license ONLINE or submit the Application through mail or in-person. License Application

Step#2: Licenses issued by City/County

It is important to know that a business license in Washington is not always issued by the state agencies; sometimes they are issued by the city or county. At the same time, it is not necessary that your business may require a license at all or may simply require a permit. Let’s look at an example to understand this:

Spokane County

If you start a food establishment that is temporary in nature then you will be required to apply for a “Temporary Food Establishment Permit” in Spokane, WA. It will be issued by Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD).

Fee: The business license fee depends on the level of Temporary Food Service Establishment (TFE). The fee for level 1 – 1 day is $100 while that of 5 to 21 Days is $140. Similarly, the fee for TFE Level 3 / 5 to 21 Days is $420.

Sample Application

In Spokane, permits are also required by Caterers, Mobile Food Service Units, Waste Recycling Plants, and Water Recreation Facilities among others.

Step#3: Issuance of a Business License

A business license in Washington will be issued by different state agencies and all you have to do is complete the following process:

1. Identify the type of business or industry
2. Identify whether you need a license or a permit or both
3. Identify whether it will be issued by the state or the city or county

Once you have identified the above, all you need to do is either download the application online or contact the concerned state department or city of clerk office.

It is important to note that a business license or permit will have to be renewed annually unless specific dates have been mentioned, to keep the business operational.

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The Evergreen State has a tradition of fostering as well as helping build some of the largest organizations in the world, including Boeing, Amazon, Microsoft, Costco, and Starbucks. Today, there are approximately 250,000 companies headquartered in Washington or have based their operations here. Although, the state may be famous for its apples, airplanes, and wine, there are several other industries growing and expanding in the state right from mining to manufacturing, maritime trade, and life sciences. The real gross domestic product (GDP) of the state was $439.41 billion in 2017, which is good growth jump from $355.2 billion in 2010. Some of the most recognized brands, Start-up Companies in Washington, and innovative companies choose the evergreen state as their base of operations today.

Drivers of Business Growth for Start-ups

What makes Washington a great state for start-ups? The most important reason is that the state has a positive business climate that is driven by steady stream of highly qualified workforce. The culture of innovation and creativity, robust supply chain, being equidistant from Europe and Asia makes it a Centralized Export Hub, and then there is low-cost energy and a stable-scalable grid. Apart from this, if you register a new company in Washington, you can take advantage of a variety of business incentives offered by state and local agencies. Let’s take a look at some of the advantages of these two business entities:

Advantage#1: The benefits of Incorporation or LLC formation

C or S Corporation

• Miscellaneous Incentive Programs: If you register a new company in Washington then you will be able to benefit from the variety of incentive programs and these include:
  – B&O Tax/Public utility tax credit for electricity, natural gas, or manufactured gas sold to silicon smelters: The credit is for businesses that sell natural gas, electricity, or manufactured gas to silicon smelters in the state.
  – Washington filmworks contributors B&O tax credit: It was earlier known as the motion picture competitiveness program and you can claim credit on contributions made to Washington Filmworks.
  – International services – B&O tax credit for new employment: A start-up company in Washington can claim credits worth $3,000 per year for each qualified employment position created in international services like data processing, computers, legal, information, accounting and tax preparation, business management, and advertising among others. More Information
  – Sales/Use tax exemption on rental of production equipment and purchase of production services for motion picture and video production
• Independent life: When you register a new business in Washington as an S Corporation, it will enjoy an independent life. This means that the incapacitation or death of a stockholder will not have a negative impact on the business operations.

Limited Liability Company

• Sales and Use Tax Exemption: If you register a new business in Washington then it can be eligible for several types of sales and use tax exemption including:
  – Sales & use tax exemption for aerospace businesses focusing on computer software/hardware/peripherals: The exemption is available to certificated FAR repair stations, manufacturers of component parts of commercial airplanes, and aerospace tooling manufacturers among others. More information on Aerospace Manufacturers Tax Incentives.
  – Retail sales and use tax exemption for the construction of new facilities used for manufacturing commercial airplanes, fuselages or wings of commercial airplanes
  – Brokered natural gas use tax exemption: This exemption is applicable for those start-up companies in Washington who manufacture aluminium in the state.
  – Property/Leasehold tax exemption for manufacturers of biodiesel/alcohol fuel, etc.: The exemption is available to manufacturers of biodiesel fuel, alcohol fuel, wood biomass fuel, or biodiesel feedstock.
  – Sales/Use tax exemption for livestock nutrient management equipment & facilities
  – Sales/Use tax exemption for replacement parts for farm machinery & equipment
• Flexible Profit Distribution: A start-up company in Washington which is an LLC has the benefit of being able to select different ways of distribution of profits unlike a partnership where the distribution is 50-50.

Advantage#2: Washington Business Incentives

Once you register a new company in Washington, there are several business incentives and programs that your business entity can benefit from. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular programs:

• Washington Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ): If your start-up company in Washington focuses on importing components and parts for distribution or manufacturing finished products for exports then the Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) is where your business needs to be located. Your business will not only benefit from the tremendous competitive advantage but there are other advantages as well. Since, the FTZ is not considered to be inside the U.S. Customs Territory, merchandise and components are exempted from duty payments and can be shipped in or out of the Washington FTZ. There are 12 FTZ’s across Washington including Seattle, Tacoma, Grays Harbor, Spokane, and Vancouver among others. FTZ Manual
• Washington Opportunity Zone (OZ) Program: The salient aspect of the Washington Opportunity Zone (OZ) Program is that investors or businesses will be able to defer paying their taxes on capital gains that have been invested in Qualified Opportunity Funds and these funds are in turn invested in distressed communities that have been designated as Opportunity Zones. The tax deferral can be for a period of up to nine years. There are 139 census tracts in Washington. List of Qualified Opportunity Zones

Are there any Disadvantages of Incorporating in Washington?

What disadvantages could possibly be there for a start-up company in Washington? In reality there is none except a few that are common to different types of businesses. For example, processing of incorporation can be time consuming and corporations would require more paperwork while LLC formation has the disadvantage of limited life. These are small disadvantages compared to the many incentives the Evergreen State has to offer.

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