Washington Business License

Almost every business in the state is required to apply for and acquire a Washington Business License. Formerly called the Master Business License, a Washington Business License is issued through the state’s Department of Revenue.

The name “Washington Business License” is a little deceiving, though. It’s real purpose is to register your business with the Department of Revenue, where you’ll also pay your B&O tax, Sales and Use tax, and employment taxes.

The Washington Business License will not be the only business license you need in order to legally operate in the state. Your Washington business will also be required to obtain other federal, county, or local licenses as well.

We can help with your Washington Business Licenses

Washington business license requirements vary from business to business, depending on what kind of company you run, what industry you work in, and where your business is located. Unfortunately, you’ll have to do some research in order to determine which licenses and endorsements your Washington company needs.

Taking stock of which federal, state, county, and local licenses you need can get complicated, and the consequences for getting it wrong can cause major headaches. But don’t sweat it. We’re here to help.

When you purchase our Registered Agent service or Business Formation service, you will have the choice to opt in to our Business License Service. This service connects you with one of our local business experts. They’ll take the time to research which specific licenses your business needs and send you a comprehensive report outlining your licensing requirements.

The best part? Our Business License Service is free if you opt in with your Registered Agent Service or Business Formation Service. Just check the box next to “Business License Service” when you sign up, and we’ll start tracking down which licenses you need.

Who Needs a Washington Business License?

If your Washington LLC, corporation, or sole proprietorship will do any of the following, you need to apply for a Washington Business License from the Washington Department of Revenue:

• Hire employees (including minors and at home workers)
• Get a specialty business license
• Your gross income is $12,000 per year or more
• Register or change a trade name
• Collect and pay Washington taxes
• Buy or process specialty wood products
• Do business under a name other than your full legal name
• Sell your business
• Pay or change unemployment insurance or industrial insurance

The main purpose of the Washington Business License is to register your company with the Department of Revenue, allowing your business to pay taxes, register employees, and access certain types of insurance.

Most businesses can file for the Washington Business License online, but there are some exceptions. Plus, if you are operating a Professional LLC, you will also need to apply for other specialty licenses as well. Below, we’ll walk you through how to file online and how to file a paper application.

How do I get a Washington Business License?

You will file your application for a Washington Business License with the Washington Department of Revenue. However, there are a couple of steps you’ll want to take before doing this so the process runs as smoothly as possible:

1. Form your company with the Washington Secretary of State and get a Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number. (Skip this step if you are a sole proprietor.)
2. Use the Washington Business Licensing Wizard to identify license requirements specific to your business.
3. Determine if you are required to file a paper business license application with the Department of Revenue.

Our big piece of advice? Do not file with the Secretary of State and the Department of Revenue at the same time. It may seem like a way to save some time, but it can actually cause bigger complications down the road.

When you form your Washington corporation or LLC, the Secretary of State will issue a UBI number. The thing is, the Department of Revenue’s Business Licensing Service also issues UBI numbers to businesses that don’t apply with one. In a worst case scenario, if you file with both agencies at the same time, you’ll be issued 2 UBI numbers. This can complicate future filings, like your Annual Renewal or paying your State Business and Occupation Tax.

Most businesses are able to file for the business license online, but not all. Either way, you will submit your application with the Department of Revenue.

What do I need for my Washington Business License Application?

The Washington Business License application asks for details about your business, taxes, employees, endorsements, and other licenses. The specifics will vary from business to business, but generally speaking you’ll need the following:

• Legal name & business structure
• Any trade names (DBAs)
• Physical business address
• Description of business activities, services, and products
• Estimated gross revenue for the first year
• The date your Washington business was formed
• Your business’s EIN (FEIN)
• The date you plan on hiring employees and the number of employees you intend on hiring

You may also need documentation of specific state and/or local endorsements, depending on your company’s industry. For example, if you’re opening a restaurant there are certain state and local food services licenses you’ll need to get, too.

How do I file a Washington Business License paper application?

While most businesses can file for the Washington Business online, there are some that can only apply by mailing in a paper application. This is usually reserved for businesses that have a complex tax report or are operating in specific industries. Some of those industries include:

• Cigarette wholesale
• Whitewater rafting
• Debt collection
• Employment and travel agencies
• Limousine services
• Manufactured home communities
• Private investigation
• Radiology benefits
• Vehicle sales and manufacturing (including RVs, boats, and trailers)
• Scrap metal
• Taxi and towing services
• Tobacco
• Underground storage
• Used vehicle batteries
• Waste tires

Once complete, you will mail your application to:

State of Washington
Business Licensing Service
PO Box 9034
Olympia, WA 98507-9034

If you have additional questions, you can also call 1-800-451-7985.

How do I file a Washington Business License application online?

To file online, you will first need to create an online account with the Department of Revenue. This account will be where you will file for your Washington Business License, as well as file your Annual Renewal every year.

Once inside your account, click “File Business License Application.” You will be able to complete the application and upload any other required documentation here. There are also several other common business filings you can complete as well:

1. Register for Industrial Insurance and Unemployment Insurance without paying additional fees.
2. Register a trade name (DBA). This costs $5 per name.
3. Register for special Business Endorsements.

The application costs $50 to file and is non-refundable. Online processing generally takes 2 business days, though it may take a little bit longer if you’re applying when the department is experiencing a high-volume of applications.

Application confirmations are sent by email. Once your application is accepted, a physical Washington Business License will be sent to you in the mail.

Do I need any other Washington Business Licenses?

If you need any specialty business licenses (sometimes called endorsements), like a contractor’s license or a CPA license, the Washington Business License does not automatically include these. You will need to contact the appropriate agency and go through their application process as well. The price of these licenses will vary depending on what your business needs.

You may also need to meet other licensing requirements at the federal, county, or local level. Each business is different, and requires different licenses depending on what kind of business you have and where it operates.

For example, any company operating in Seattle must also apply for a Seattle Business License Tax Certificate (also called a general business license) using the city’s website. Businesses in Spokane also need a general city license, but they can apply for this license at the same time they apply for their Washington Business License on the DOR website.

Business License Research Service

While the Washington Business License is a necessity for your Washington Business, your business is still going to need other business licenses from the federal, state, county, and local level.

Business license requirements are not the same across the board, and vary depending on your business. Even worse, the state does not provide a list of all the license your new business needs. Instead, it’s up to you to track down all of the licensing requirements your company needs to meet in order to operate legally.

This complicated process is the reason why we offer our Business License Service at no extra charge. Opt in to this service when you sign up for our Registered Agent service or Business Formation service by checking the box next to “Business License Service.”

From there, our local experts are happy to do the research for you. Once complete, we’ll send you a comprehensive report that runs through all of your business license requirements. We can help with the paperwork, too. Upon request, we can provide a quote for how much it will cost for us to get your licenses for you, that way you can focus on building your brand.

So sit back, relax, and let us take care of the rest.