Business formation
Form your business in Washington
Start your LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp, or Nonprofit in Washington with a guided, step-by-step workflow tailored to your entity type - and know the state filing fee before you begin.
Forming an LLC in Washington costs $200 in state filing fees, which is among the most expensive in the country: 44 of the 51 U.S. jurisdictions charge less, and the national median is $100. A corporation files for $200 and a nonprofit for $40. Below: the fee table, what else you pay in year one, and the questions founders ask before filing here.
Washington state filing fees
These are the one-time fees paid to the Washington Secretary of State to file your formation document. They are separate from any EazeAccounts service or package fee.
| Entity type | State filing fee |
|---|---|
| LLCArticles of Organization - flexible, pass-through, simple to run. | $200 |
| Corporation (C-Corp / S-Corp)Articles of Incorporation - shares, board, officers. S-Corp is a federal tax election on the same state filing. | $200 |
| NonprofitNonprofit Articles of Incorporation - mission-driven; optional 501(c)(3). | $40 |
Note: $200 online / $180 mail; nonprofit $40 online / $30 mail.
Estimated state filing fees, separate from EazeAccounts service fees. Some states set a minimum that can rise with authorized shares, and expedited or online filing may differ. Fees last verified May 2026; confirm the current amount with the Washington Secretary of State before filing.
What an LLC costs every year in Washington
Annual Report
$70
By the last day of the month the LLC was formed, each year A $25 delinquency fee applies if late. An Initial Report is due within 120 days of formation; it is free if filed with the Certificate of Formation.
State tax on the LLC
Washington has no state income tax on business net income. Most businesses pay business and occupation (B&O) tax on gross receipts with no deduction for expenses: 0.471 percent for retailing, 0.484 percent for wholesaling and manufacturing, and 1.5 to 2.1 percent for services depending on prior-year receipts. A small business credit can reduce or remove it. A state business licence from the Department of Revenue is required once gross income reaches $12,000 a year or another trigger applies; it costs $50 to open plus endorsements and $5 a year to renew.
How long Washington takes
Standard online filings typically finish within five business days. Expedited service costs $100 and typically takes three business days; same-day in-person service costs $150.
What is different about Washington
- • B&O tax is charged on gross receipts, so an LLC can owe it in a year with no profit.
- • Forming is two steps: the Certificate of Formation with the Secretary of State, then a business licence with the Department of Revenue.
- • The $200 online formation fee is the $180 statutory fee plus a $20 online processing fee; paper filings are $180.
Guide reviewed September 2026 against the Washington Secretary of State and the tax authority. Confirm current figures before filing.
What else you pay in year one
- Registered agent. Free if you serve as your own agent at a Washington street address; a service charges an annual fee if you would rather keep your address off the public record.
- EIN. Free from the IRS. Anyone charging for an EIN alone is charging for the form.
- Annual report or franchise tax. Most states ask for a yearly report and some charge a fee or tax with it; the amount and deadline are set by Washington. Check the Secretary of State page before you file so the first renewal is not a surprise.
- Licences and permits. City and county rules depend on what the business does, not on the entity type.
Not sure whether an LLC or a corporation fits? The entity cost calculator compares the two over three years, and the guide to LLC vs C-Corp covers the tax and investor side.
Questions founders ask about Washington
- How much does an LLC cost per year in Washington?
- The annual report is $70, plus $5 a year to renew the business licence and any endorsement fees. B&O tax depends on gross receipts and the business classification.
- Does Washington have a state income tax for LLCs?
- No. Washington does not tax business net income. Most businesses pay B&O tax on gross receipts instead.
- Do I need a Washington business licence for my LLC?
- Yes, once gross income reaches $12,000 a year or another trigger applies, such as hiring employees or collecting sales tax. The licence comes from the Department of Revenue, not the Secretary of State.
- How much does it cost to start an LLC in Washington?
- The Washington state filing fee for an LLC is $200, paid once when you file the formation document. That is among the most expensive in the country: 44 of 51 jurisdictions charge less, and the national median is $100. Registered agent service, expedited processing and any EazeAccounts package are separate.
- Do I need a registered agent in Washington?
- Yes. Every state requires an LLC or corporation to name a registered agent with a physical street address in Washington who is available during business hours to receive legal and official mail. You can be your own agent if you live in the state, or use a service.
- What is the difference between the state fee and the EazeAccounts fee?
- The state fee goes to the Washington Secretary of State and is the same whoever files for you. The EazeAccounts formation package covers preparing and filing the documents, the EIN, the operating agreement or bylaws, and setting your books up from day one. You always see both amounts before you pay.
- Is the state filing fee refundable if my filing is rejected?
- Generally no. States keep the fee even when a filing is rejected for a name conflict or a missing detail, which is why the name check and document review happen before anything is submitted.
Next step
Comparing states? Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, or see filing fees in every state.
Ready to form in Washington? Begin the step-by-step formation workflow.