Washington compliance digital implementation tools

Entity formation & Secretary of State compliance - Form domestic Washington LLCs/corporations with the WA Secretary of State and maintain compliance by filing an Annual Report each year by the last day of the month the business was formed.

Use the Secretary of State’s online filing system (CCFS/BizPortal) to file and to update entity information. Fees and filing windows are shown on the SOS site.

Entity formation & Secretary of State compliance

• Form domestic Washington LLCs/corporations with the WA Secretary of State and maintain compliance by filing an Annual Report each year by the last day of the month the business was formed. Use the Secretary of State’s online filing system (CCFS/BizPortal) to file and to update entity information. Fees and filing windows are shown on the SOS site.

Business license & UBI (one-stop registration) - Use Washington’s Business Licensing Wizard (Department of Revenue Business Licensing Service) to apply for a business license and obtain a Unified Business Identifier (UBI). The BLS coordinates local/city endorsements and assigns the UBI used by state agencies.

Taxes & My DOR (Department of Revenue) - Create a My DOR account (you will need a SecureAccess Washington (SAW) user ID) to file and pay state taxes, manage business license renewals, and use the department’s e-file features.

SecureAccess Washington (SAW) - SAW is the single sign-on used across multiple Washington state agency portals (My DOR, ESD/EAMS, Paid Leave, L&I). Create/claim a SAW account and then link your business tax and employer accounts to get access to e-services.

Unemployment, Paid Leave, and Employer Reporting (ESD) - Employers must register and file quarterly reports and pay unemployment taxes via ESD Employer Account Management Services (EAMS). Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML) premiums and reporting are filed via the Paid Leave portal; employers should use SAW to access EAMS and Paid Leave full reporting features.

Workers’ compensation (L&I) - Employers must carry and report workers’ compensation coverage and comply with L&I reporting (including prompt reporting of serious injuries). L&I has employer eServices and guidance for premiums and self-insurance qualifications.

Digital tool recommendations and practical integration steps - Payroll & HR

Use payroll platforms that support Washington state tax withholding, unemployment, workers’ comp integrations, and PFML (commonly used providers include Gusto, ADP, Paychex, QuickBooks Payroll, Zenefits). Ensure the provider supports WA-specific filing codes and can generate the reports needed for ESD and L&I filings. - Accounting & tax: Use QuickBooks (or similar) plus a CPA/tax preparer familiar with WA B&O tax and excise filings; connect bookkeeping to My DOR where possible. - Registered agent & formation services: Use reputable providers (e.g., Incfile, LegalZoom, Northwest Registered Agent) to manage SOS filings, annual report reminders, and registered-agent duties. - Operational checklist to implement digitally: create SAW; register at My DOR and get UBI; set up EAMS and L&I employer accounts; choose a payroll provider and sync tax/payroll setup; set calendar reminders for SOS annual report and quarterly tax reporting; maintain digital copies of filings and payment receipts.