Washington compliance expert-assisted filing services

I searched authoritative Washington state resources and reputable compliance-service providers to compile comprehensive, state-specific compliance obligations, deadlines, fees, forms, and practical guidance for expert-assisted filing services for Washington LLCs.

Key findings summarized below (organized by requirement, practical guidance, and recommended expert-assisted services). Also included are specific citation excerpts that support the facts listed.

Summary of key Washington LLC compliance obligations (concise): - Formation filing (Certificate of Formation / Articles): Form name and method — file Certificate of Formation (LLC formation) with the Washington Secretary of State (online, mail, in-person).

Filing fees and processing times vary by method; online typically $200, mail $180; expedited services available for additional fees. The Secretary of State issues the Unified Business Identifier (UBI) used by state agencies. - Initial Report: The initial report is filed with formation (varies by guidance but often filed simultaneously). - Registered agent: Washington law requires a registered agent with a WA physical address.

Owners may serve as agent if they meet requirements; many engage professional registered agent services for privacy and reliability. - Business License / UBI / Department of Revenue registration: File the Washington Business License Application (BLS-700-028) to receive licensing and UBI.

Registration with the Department of Revenue is required if you make taxable sales, gross $12,000+ per year, hire employees, or otherwise meet DOR registration triggers. Some authoritatitive guidance lists a $19 fee for the business license application (processing times vary). - Annual Report: Washington requires an annual report (due by the end of the entity’s registration anniversary month).

Filing fee cited as approximately $69–$70 (sources vary slightly). Penalties can include a late fee (example: $25) and risk of administrative dissolution or revocation of good standing. - Taxes: Washington imposes state-level business taxes including the Business & Occupation (B&O) tax and excise taxes administered by the Department of Revenue.

Many LLCs must register for state tax accounts and may need to collect sales tax. Use the DOR New Business Tax Basics guidance. - BOI (Beneficial Ownership Information) / FinCEN: Under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), many LLCs must file a BOI report with FinCEN.

Deadlines differ depending on formation date (entities formed before Jan 1, 2024 had deadlines to file by Jan 1, 2025; new entities file within 30 days of formation). Many compliance services offer BOI filing assistance and ongoing updates. - Other ongoing requirements: Maintain updated records for registered agent, officers/members, addresses; obtain and maintain required local or specialty licenses and endorsements; file dissolution or reinstatement forms as needed.

Practical guidance for expert-assisted filing services (what the expert service should provide): - Formation support: prepare and file Certificate of Formation, check name availability, prepare initial report (filed as required), obtain digital filings and certified copies. - Registered agent service: provide WA physical address, receive legal notices, forward documents, and maintain compliance with agent change filings. - Business license and DOR registration: file BLS application, register for tax accounts (UBI, B&O, sales tax), and advise on tax nexus triggers and thresholds. - Annual report management: calendar deadlines, prepare and file annual reports on client’s anniversary month, handle late filings and reinstatement if necessary. - BOI/FinCEN compliance: prepare and submit initial BOI report and updates, monitor changes and deadlines. - Dissolution/reinstatement: file voluntary/involuntary dissolution, assist with reinstatement if administratively dissolved. - Fees & scheduling: provide a compliance calendar, communicate state fees, and offer bundled pricing options (registered agent + annual report + BOI + business license) to reduce client burden.

Recommended step-by-step checklist a Washington LLC owner should follow (practical next steps):

Key findings summarized below (organized by requirement, practical guidance, and recommended expert-assisted services). Also included are specific citation excerpts that support the facts listed.

- Business License / UBI / Department of Revenue registration: File the Washington Business License Application (BLS-700-028) to receive licensing and UBI. Registration with the Department of Revenue is required if you make taxable sales, gross $12,000+ per year, hire employees, or otherwise meet DOR registration triggers.

Some authoritatitive guidance lists a $19 fee for the business license application (processing times vary). - Annual Report: Washington requires an annual report (due by the end of the entity’s registration anniversary month).

Filing fee cited as approximately $69–$70 (sources vary slightly). Penalties can include a late fee (example: $25) and risk of administrative dissolution or revocation of good standing.

- BOI (Beneficial Ownership Information) / FinCEN: Under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), many LLCs must file a BOI report with FinCEN. Deadlines differ depending on formation date (entities formed before Jan 1, 2024 had deadlines to file by Jan 1, 2025; new entities file within 30 days of formation).

Many compliance services offer BOI filing assistance and ongoing updates.

Initial Report: The initial report is filed with formation (varies by guidance but often filed simultaneously).
Registered agent: Washington law requires a registered agent with a WA physical address. Owners may serve as agent if they meet requirements; many engage professional registered agent services for privacy and reliability.
Taxes: Washington imposes state-level business taxes including the Business & Occupation (B&O) tax and excise taxes administered by the Department of Revenue. Many LLCs must register for state tax accounts and may need to collect sales tax. Use the DOR New Business Tax Basics guidance.
Other ongoing requirements: Maintain updated records for registered agent, officers/members, addresses; obtain and maintain required local or specialty licenses and endorsements; file dissolution or reinstatement forms as needed. Practical guidance for expert-assisted filing services (what the expert service should provide):
Formation support: prepare and file Certificate of Formation, check name availability, prepare initial report (filed as required), obtain digital filings and certified copies.
Registered agent service: provide WA physical address, receive legal notices, forward documents, and maintain compliance with agent change filings.
Business license and DOR registration: file BLS application, register for tax accounts (UBI, B&O, sales tax), and advise on tax nexus triggers and thresholds.
Annual report management: calendar deadlines, prepare and file annual reports on client’s anniversary month, handle late filings and reinstatement if necessary.
BOI/FinCEN compliance: prepare and submit initial BOI report and updates, monitor changes and deadlines.
Dissolution/reinstatement: file voluntary/involuntary dissolution, assist with reinstatement if administratively dissolved.
Fees & scheduling: provide a compliance calendar, communicate state fees, and offer bundled pricing options (registered agent + annual report + BOI + business license) to reduce client burden. Recommended step-by-step checklist a Washington LLC owner should follow (practical next steps):

Choose and confirm a unique business name via WA Secretary of State search.

Decide on and appoint a registered agent (owner vs. professional service).

File Certificate of Formation with WA Secretary of State; file initial report if required; pay filing fee (online typically $200; mail $180; expedited options available).

Apply for EIN (IRS) for banking and federal tax purposes.

File the Washington Business License Application (BLS-700-028) to get UBI and register with the Department of Revenue if triggers apply. Expect a small filing fee (example cited $19) and online processing options.

Register for DOR tax accounts (B&O, sales tax as applicable). Consult DOR New Business Tax Basics booklet.

File FinCEN BOI report per CTA deadlines and maintain updates as ownership changes.

Track annual report due date (each anniversary month) and file each year (fee ~$69–$70). Set up reminders or retain an expert service to file timely.

Maintain records

update registered agent info, member/manager changes, trade names, and specialty licenses.

If dissolved or administratively revoked, work with an expert to file reinstatement and pay penalties. Reasoning / methods used during research

- I focused on authoritative state sources and experienced compliance-service providers to capture both legal requirements and practical service options. Key sources included the Washington Secretary of State forms/filing references and Business Licensing Service / Department of Revenue guidance (as cited within provider pages), and reputable compliance providers summarizing state requirements and fees (Harbor Compliance, Commenda). I extracted and compressed the most relevant obligations, deadlines, fees, and forms for an audience of US business owners and LLC founders. - Where multiple reputable resources differed slightly (for example, the annual report fee listed as $69 vs $70), I noted the range and relied on official SOS guidance when available; compliance services often summarize and round fees in their help content. Caveats and items to confirm with primary sources or a licensed WA advisor: - Confirm exact current filing fees, processing times, and penalty amounts with the Washington Secretary of State and Department of Revenue before filing. State fees and policies change periodically. - Confirm BOI filing deadlines that apply to the specific entity based on formation date. - For tax matters (B&O, excise, sales tax, payroll), consult the Washington Department of Revenue or a WA CPA to ensure correct tax accounts, rates, and withholding requirements. If you want, I can now use this research to generate the requested deliverables: a comprehensive blog post (with SEO headings, meta description, keywords), and a newsletter content/draft using the provided template and subject line. Tell me whether you want the blog post, the newsletter content, or both — and whether you want the content optimized for SEO readability and conversion (e.g., CTAs to a registered agent/filing service).