It’s easy to form an LLC in Washington online yourself. Just follow these steps:
- Name Your LLC
- Choose a Registered Agent
- File the WA Certificate of Formation
- Create an LLC Operating Agreement
- Get an EIN
- File a BOI Report
Or, use a trusted formation service:
Tailor Brands ($0 + State Fees)
Starting an LLC in Washington State is Easy
You can start a Washington State LLC online by filing the Certificate of Formation with the Secretary of State. The cost to set up an LLC in Washington State is $180 by mail or $200 online.
Follow our How to Start an LLC in Washington State guide below to get started.
To learn how to form an LLC in any state, visit our How to Start an LLC guide.
Build Your Dream Business With Tailor Brands
From legal formation to logo design, Tailor Brands has everything you need to start, manage, and grow your LLC
Get StartedStep 1: Create A Name For Your Washington State LLC
Before you register your Washington LLC, you’ll need to come up with a name. Your business name needs to be catchy for branding purposes and legitimate for legal purposes.
Naming Your LLC
First, brainstorm some possibilities. Use our LLC name generator to get the ideas flowing.
Next, make sure your name meets Washington guidelines:
- it contains the words limited liability company, limited company, LLC, or L.L.C.
- it doesn’t contain words bank, banking, banker, trust, cooperative, any combination of the words industrial and loan, any combination of any two or more of the words building, savings, loan, home, association, or society
- it’s distinguishable from any other entity or trade name registered in Washington State
- full list of Washington naming guidelines
Next, do a Washington LLC name search with the Secretary of State to find out if your name is available in Wshington.
If your business name is available and meets guidelines, you’ll be able to register it when you file your Washington Certificate of Formation with the Secretary of State.
Is the URL available? Before you commit 100% to a name, check to see if there’s a good web domain available.
We recommend buying your domain right away because even if launching a business website isn’t on your radar right now, it will be soon.
Using a Washington Trade Name (DBA)
A Washington DBA (doing business as), also known as a trade name, is any registered name that a business operates under that isn’t its legal business name. A trade name can be used by any type of business, including a sole proprietorship, partnership, or limited liability company (LLC).
Learn how to get a DBA in our Washington DBA guide.
Step 2: Appoint A Washington LLC Registered Agent
When you file your Certificate of Formation, you’ll need to list a registered agent. A registered agent’s job is to accept legal documents like service of process and tax notices for your LLC.
Your registered agent can be a person or a registered agent service. You can act as your own registered agent, but many business owners choose to use a registered agent service.
Here are a few things to think about before you decide to act as your own registered agent:
- You’ll need to be available during normal (9 am – 5 pm) business hours at the address you provide
- If you run your business from home, you’ll have to make your personal address public
- You could be served with a lawsuit in front of your family or coworkers
Save Time and Money With Northwest
Northwest offers a free year of registered agent services when you form your Washington LLC ($29 plus state fees) with them.
Get StartedStep 3: File A WA LLC Certificate of Formation
It’s time to officially form your LLC by filing your Certificate of Formation with the Washington Secretary of State.
You can file online with the Secretary of State or fill out a hard copy of the Certificate of Formation and mail it in or deliver it in person. The filing fee is $180 by mail or $200 online.
You’ll need to know the following information to complete each Article:
- Entity Name and Address
- Effective Date and Duration
- Registered Agent Name and Registered Office Address
For more detailed help with completing the form, visit our Washington Certificate of Formation guide.
Mail Your Articles of Organization:
Send the form and payment (payable to the Secretary of State) to:
Secretary of State
Corporations Division
P.O. Box 40234
Olympia, WA 98504
Submit In Person:
Secretary of State
Corporations Division
801 Capitol Way S
Olympia, WA 98501
How long does it take to get a Washington LLC approved? LLCs are processed immediately after receiving payment online, or 5 to 7 business days by mail or in person.
Step 4: Create A Washington State LLC Operating Agreement
Creating a Washington LLC operating agreement is the only way to legally lock down your LLC’s management and ownership structure. Having an operating agreement in place will give you something to return to if a dispute or lawsuit arises.
Even single-member LLCs benefit from having an operating agreement.
Your operating agreement should outline the following:
- Each member’s responsibilities
- How new members will be admitted
- How existing members may transfer or terminate their membership
- How profits and dividends will be distributed
You can add as many provisions as you want, as long as they don’t conflict with Washington business law. Take a look at our What is an Operating Agreement guide to learn more.
Download a template or create a custom Free Operating Agreement using our tool.
Step 5: Get an EIN
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is like a Social Security number (SSN) for your company. The IRS and the state of Washington will use this number to track your business activity.
Your EIN will come in handy when it’s time to:
- Open a business bank account
- File Federal and State taxes
- Hire employees
The best way to get an EIN for your LLC in Washington is by using the free online application on the IRS website.
Need Help Forming an LLC?
We’ve reviewed and ranked the Top 8 LLC formation services.
Best LLC ServicesStep 6: File a Beneficial Ownership Information Report
When forming a Washington LLC, one of the important steps is to complete the Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) Report with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).
This report — also known as the FinCEN BOI report — is designed to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, and other illicit activities by requiring LLCs to disclose information about their beneficial owners.
This is free to file through the FinCEN website.
New LLCs must complete this filing within 90 days of formation. Existing LLCs must file before January 1, 2025.
Failure to complete this filing requirement will result in a $500 per day fine.
Steps After Forming an LLC in Washington
After forming your Washington LLC, it’s important to:
Open A Business Bank Account
A business bank account helps separate personal expenses and company expenses, which is required to maintain your Washington LLC’s corporate veil. A corporate veil protects your personal assets from creditors in potential lawsuits against your LLC or Business.
Learn more by reading this guide to Banking for Entrepreneurs. For a multi-member LLC, you’ll also want to set up capital accounts for LLC members. We also recommend checking out our review of the best business bank accounts.
Get A Business Credit Card
A business credit card will help separate personal and business expenses while building your company’s credit history. A strong credit history will be useful for raising capital in the form of venture capital, angel investment, or small business loans.
Set Up Business Accounting
Hiring a business accountant is one of the best ways to ensure you’re taking advantage of LLC tax benefits; possibly saving you and your business thousands of dollars per year.
When forming an LLC in Washington, it’s a good idea to start a relationship with a business accountant as soon as you start your business to help set your company up for success.
Get Business Insurance
Business insurance helps manage risk. The most common forms of business insurance are general liability, professional liability, and workers’ compensation.
Find out the real cost of getting insurance for your business. Get a free quote or call 855-965-3168.
Keep Your Company Compliant
Research Washington Business Licenses and Permits
To operate an LLC in Washington, you will need to comply with federal, state, and local government regulations such as health permits, building permits, and signage permits.
Business licensing and permit requirements vary from state to state. To get started, visit our How to Get a Business License in Washington guide. To help facilitate this process, you can also utilize a business license service.
Most Washington businesses will need to register for a business license with the Department of Revenue. This is typically done shortly after business formation, as a license is needed to hire employees and pay taxes to the Department of Revenue. The filing fee varies based on your business’s needs.
File Your Washington LLC Annual Report
Washington LLCs must submit an annual report to the Secretary of State either online or by mailing in an annual report form. The filing fee is $70.
Understand Washington State Tax Requirements
Washington businesses selling a physical product are generally required to register for a seller’s permit with the Washington Department of Revenue. Visit our Washington Sales Tax guide to learn more about seller’s permits and Washington sales tax.
If you have employees in Washington, you will also need to sign up for unemployment insurance tax with the Washington Employment Security Department. Additionally, most businesses are subject to the state’s business and occupation tax on the gross income of their activities.
Understand Your Washington LLC’s Federal Tax Requirements
Most Washington LLCs will need to report their income to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) each year using Form 1065: Partnership Return (multi-member LLCs) or Form 1040 – Schedule C (single-member LLCs).
How you pay yourself will affect your federal taxes. Visit our guide to learn more about how to pay yourself from your LLC.
Know Your Washington LLC’s Federal Tax Election Options
Pass-through taxation entails a business’s profits passing through to the LLC member’s individual tax returns. Like a sole proprietorship, an LLC is taxed as a pass-through entity, also known as a disregarded entity.
Once this process is completed and after any tax-deductible expenses are taken out, the LLC members pay self-employment taxes and income tax on their portion of the business income.
Alternatively, Washington LLCs can choose to elect to be taxed as an S corporation (S corp) or C corporation (C corp). If S corporation tax status is elected, LLC members can be taxed as employees of the business, potentially reducing tax burden.
More LLC Resources
- Washington Foreign LLCs: Forming a foreign LLC allows your company to operate as one entity in multiple states. You can file for a Washington foreign LLC online.
- Washington Certificate of Good Standing: A certificate of good standing verifies that your LLC was legally formed. To order, follow our Washington certificate of good standing guide.
- Dissolving a Washington LLC: If you are ready to dissolve your LLC, follow the steps in our Washington LLC Dissolution Guide.
- LLC Legal Forms: TRUiC offers a number of free LLC legal forms including operating agreements, LLC resolutions, and hiring documents.
