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Washington state guide · FAQ

Washington LLC
questions, answered

Ten questions we get most often about forming an LLC in Washington — with straight answers, not hedged ones.

State filing fee$200
Typical approval5–7 business days
Annual report$70 annual
B&O tax0.471%–1.5% of gross

The ten we get asked most

How long does it take to form a Washington LLC?

5–7 business days for standard online processing through the Washington Secretary of State. Once the LLC is approved, we obtain the EIN the same day and deliver your bank-ready packet within a day or two after that.

What does it cost to form an LLC in Washington?

Our service is $299 flat. Washington's state filing fee is $200, paid directly to the Washington Secretary of State. First-year total is $499, with no upsells and no tiered pricing.

Do I have to live in Washington to form a Washington LLC?

No. Washington allows non-residents to form and own LLCs in the state. You do need a Washington registered agent — that's included in the $299 for the first year. Our Olympia office serves as the agent of record.

Can a single person own a Washington LLC?

Yes. Washington allows single-member LLCs, which the IRS treats as disregarded entities by default — meaning the LLC's income flows through to the owner's personal tax return.

What's included in your $299 flat fee?

Four things: your Washington Certificate of Formation filed by a formation specialist, federal EIN obtained from the IRS, a custom operating agreement drafted to your actual ownership structure, and one year of registered agent service in Washington. No hidden costs, no tiered pricing.

What's the annual requirement for a Washington LLC?

Washington charges $70 annually for the report. Miss the deadline and the state imposes a late fee, and eventually administrative dissolution if the lapse continues.

Do I need a registered agent in Washington?

Yes, Washington law requires every LLC to maintain a registered agent with a physical address in the state to receive service of process and official correspondence. Our Olympia office serves as your registered agent for the first year as part of the $299.

Can I change the registered agent later?

Yes. After the first year you can renew our service at $119/year, or designate yourself, an employee, or another agent by filing a change-of-agent form with the Washington Secretary of State. The state typically charges a small fee for the change.

Will I get an operating agreement I can actually use at a bank?

Yes. Our operating agreements are drafted to your actual ownership structure — member names, percentages, voting rights, profit allocations — not a fill-in-the-blank template. Every major U.S. bank accepts them for business account opening.

Is there anything unusual about Washington I should know?

Washington imposes a Business & Occupation (B&O) tax on gross receipts, not net income. Most LLCs pay between 0.471% and 1.5% of gross revenue depending on business classification. This is in addition to the $60 annual report due on the anniversary month, and applies even to businesses operating at a loss.

Washington note

Washington imposes a Business & Occupation (B&O) tax on gross receipts, not net income. Most LLCs pay between 0.471% and 1.5% of gross revenue depending on business classification. This is in addition to the $60 annual report due on the anniversary month, and applies even to businesses operating at a loss.

What's included in the $299 flat fee

State filingCertificate of Formation, by a formation specialist
EIN includedFederal tax ID, issued by the IRS after approval
Operating agreementDrafted to your ownership structure — not a template
Registered agentOne year included in Washington, Olympia on file
Ready to form in Washington?

$299 flat, plus Washington's $200 state fee.

Reservation takes three minutes. A formation specialist in Olympia handles the rest.

Start your Washington filing