Washington · Start a business

How to start a business in Washington

Washington runs its business license, trade names and tax registration through one Department of Revenue application.

As of 4 min readVermilion Vitez Team

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STATE FILING FEE$200FILEDSECRETARY OF STATEEINANNIVOPENWASHINGTON · 10 STEPSFrom structure to open door

Short answer

To start a business in Washington, pick a structure and file with the Secretary of State: $200 for an LLC, $180 for a corporation's articles. Then name a registered agent, get an EIN and register for state taxes. Washington's business license rule covers many businesses.

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What do you file before you open in Washington?

  1. Pick a structure

    Most owners choose an LLC or a corporation; the S corp or C corp tax choice comes later. See Washington LLC guide, Washington corporation guide, S corp or C corp in Washington. By trade: cleaning business, handyman.

  2. Check and register the name

    Search the Secretary of State records before you pick a name: state name search. Washington trade names are registered with the Department of Revenue through a Business License Application in My DOR. The fee is $5 per name plus the application processing fee, and the registration lasts until the owner cancels it. 1 See Washington name search guide.

  3. File with the state

    Washington charges the state filing fee once: an LLC costs $200 2 and a corporation's articles of incorporation cost $180 3. See LLC cost.

  4. Name a registered agent

    Every Washington business must have a registered agent in Washington State. 4 Our registered agent service runs through our partner Registered Agents Inc (RAI), the registered agent of record. See Washington registered agent rules.

Which accounts do you open after you file in Washington?

  1. Get an EIN

    An EIN is the business's federal tax ID. The IRS issues it online, for free, and warns about websites that charge for one. 5

  2. Open your state tax accounts

    The Washington Department of Revenue handles state tax registration through the Business License Application. It applies when gross income is $12,000 per year or more or the business collects sales tax. 6 See Sales tax permit.

  3. Register as an employer

    A new Washington employer applies for a license from the Department of Revenue before filing quarterly tax and wage reports with the Employment Security Department. An already licensed business updates its application when it first hires. 7 Washington employers report each newly hired or rehired employee to the Division of Child Support within 20 days of hire or rehire, regardless of the employee's age or hours worked. 8 The Washington Department of Labor and Industries requires that all Washington workers be covered through the State Fund or a certified self-insured employer, unless an exclusion applies. 9

What keeps your Washington business in good standing?

  1. Check licenses and permits

    Washington has a state business license issued through the Department of Revenue. It is required if any listed condition applies, such as gross income of $12,000 per year or more or plans to hire employees within 90 days. 10

  2. Calendar the yearly filings

    Washington annual report: $70, due the last day of your formation anniversary month. 11 See Washington annual report.

  3. Use free local help

    Small business advising in Washington runs through the Washington SBDC. 12 The Washington Department of Revenue's Open a business page runs a Business Licensing Wizard that lists the city, state and federal licenses a business may need, with contacts and next steps. 13

What it costs to start a business in Washington

$200to file an LLC 2
$180to file a corporation's articles 3
$5for a trade name 1
$70each year, annual report 11
142,561business applications filed in Washington in 2025 14

Do you need a business license in Washington?

Often, yes. Washington's business license rule covers many businesses but not all of them; the conditions are in step 8. 10 Where to look up licenses: Business Licensing Wizard.

  • Business license processing fee. The Department of Revenue charges a non-refundable $50 processing fee to open the first location of a new business. Other filings such as hiring employees or registering a trade name cost $10. 15

How to register a business name in Washington

QuestionWashington
Where it is filedWith the state 1
OfficeDepartment of Revenue, Business Licensing Service
What it is calledtrade name
Fee$5

Check that the name is free first: state name search.

Also in Washington

  • Personal property tax listing. Washington businesses that use personal property or have taxable personal property file a listing with the county assessor's office by April 30 of each year. 16

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Common questions

What are the steps to start a business in Washington?

Pick a structure, file with the Secretary of State, name a registered agent, get an EIN, register for state taxes with the Washington Department of Revenue, then handle hiring, licenses, yearly filings and local help.

What does it cost to register a business in Washington?

In Washington, an LLC filing is $200 and a corporation's articles of incorporation are $180. The annual report is $70 each year.

Can I start a business in Washington with no money?

Washington charges $200 to file an LLC, and the annual report is $70 each year. An EIN is the business's federal tax ID. The IRS issues it online, for free, and warns about websites that charge for one. The Washington Small Business Development Center is a network of more than 30 expert business advisors offering one-on-one, confidential, no-cost advising.

Are there small business grants in Washington?

The Washington Department of Commerce says its Small Business Credit Initiative programs are loans or equity investments only and offer no grants. Small businesses do not apply to Commerce directly.

What is the Washington SBDC?

The Washington Small Business Development Center is a network of more than 30 expert business advisors offering one-on-one, confidential, no-cost advising.

Sources 17 links, checked Nov 12, 2026
  1. DBA or trade name registration dor.wa.gov, checked Nov 12, 2026
  2. Official state fee schedule for LLC filings sos.wa.gov, checked Oct 17, 2026
  3. Corporation filing sos.wa.gov, checked Nov 7, 2026
  4. Registered agent rule sos.wa.gov, checked Nov 7, 2026
  5. IRS: employer identification number irs.gov, checked Nov 12, 2026
  6. State tax registration dor.wa.gov, checked Nov 12, 2026
  7. Unemployment insurance registration esd.wa.gov, checked Nov 12, 2026
  8. New hire reporting dshs.wa.gov, checked Nov 12, 2026
  9. Workers' compensation coverage lni.wa.gov, checked Nov 12, 2026
  10. General business license dor.wa.gov, checked Nov 12, 2026
  11. Washington annual report ccfs.sos.wa.gov, checked Sep 1, 2026
  12. Small Business Development Center business.wa.gov, checked Nov 12, 2026
  13. State business portal dor.wa.gov, checked Nov 12, 2026
  14. US Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (monthly file, 2025 added up) census.gov, checked Nov 12, 2026
  15. Business license processing fee dor.wa.gov, checked Nov 12, 2026
  16. Personal property tax listing dor.wa.gov, checked Nov 12, 2026
  17. State small business funding commerce.wa.gov, checked Nov 12, 2026

Last verified Nov 12, 2026.

This page explains the rules; it is not legal or tax advice.

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