Start a Washington LLC
How to start an LLC in Washington →
Name, registered agent, Certificate of Formation, EIN and bank account, step by step.
Washington LLC cost →
What it costs to form and to keep, and a three-year comparison.
Washington operating agreement →
Not required by law, but every LLC needs one. Create yours free.
Run a Washington LLC
Washington Annual Report →
Every year. Due dates, first filing, and what happens if you miss it.
Washington registered agent →
Every Washington LLC needs one. Ours is included in year one.
Compliance deadline tracker →
Every federal and Washington deadline for your LLC.
Changing or closing it: add or remove a member, change your registered agent, move to another state, dissolve the LLC.
Washington LLC at a glance
Formed with
Washington Secretary of State, Corporations and Charities Division
Formation document
Certificate of Formation
Recurring filing
Annual Report, every year
Online filing
Yes
Washington LLCs file an Annual Report every year. It is due by the expiration date, which is the last day of the month in which the LLC was formed, each year. It can be filed up to 180 days early.
Washington has no state income tax, but LLCs doing business in the state are generally subject to the business and occupation (B&O) tax, a gross receipts tax administered by the Department of Revenue with rates that vary by business activity.
Must include "limited liability company", "limited liability" with "Co.", "L.L.C." or "LLC", and it must be distinguishable from names already on the Washington register.
- Filing the annual report early does not change your expiration date.
- Formation and reports are filed online through the Corporations and Charities Filing System (CCFS).
Forming a Washington LLC from outside the US?
The steps above are written for people who live in the US. If you live abroad, the EIN, bank account and tax filings work differently.
Washington LLC for non-residents →Sources
Nearby states
All states
Frequently asked questions
How do I start an LLC in Washington?
Choose a name, appoint a registered agent in Washington, and file a Certificate of Formation with the Washington Secretary of State, Corporations and Charities Division. Then write an operating agreement, get an EIN and open a business bank account. Our step-by-step guide covers each one.
How much does a Washington LLC cost?
Washington charges a one-time filing fee to form an LLC. With StartGlobal it is $399 in total, with that fee, your EIN, operating agreement and first-year registered agent included.
Does a Washington LLC file an annual report?
Washington LLCs file an Annual Report every year. It is due by the expiration date, which is the last day of the month in which the LLC was formed, each year. It can be filed up to 180 days early.
Does Washington tax LLCs?
Washington has no state income tax, but LLCs doing business in the state are generally subject to the business and occupation (B&O) tax, a gross receipts tax administered by the Department of Revenue with rates that vary by business activity.
Is an operating agreement required in Washington?
No, but every Washington LLC should have one.
