Washington compliance for online subscription platforms

Synthesis of the authoritative findings (what Washington compliance for online subscription platforms requires): - Automatic renewal / negative option (subscriptions): Washington legislative activity shows specific requirements for automatic-renewal disclosures for certain business contracts (HB 1441 text requires sellers to provide clear written notice of renewal, duration, price increases, how to decline, and deadline; failure to comply can render automatic renewal provisions unenforceable).

Businesses offering subscriptions should plan to provide explicit, timely renewal notices and clear cancellation mechanisms. Also monitor Attorney General enforcement under the Consumer Protection Act (RCW 19.86) for deceptive practices related to auto-renewal and negative-option billing. - Consumer protection enforcement: The Washington AG’s Consumer Protection Division enforces RCW 19.86 and can pursue actions, obtain refunds/penalties, and provides consumer complaint resolution.

Subscription platforms should avoid deceptive enrollment and cancellation practices and maintain transparent terms and customer communications to reduce enforcement risk. - Taxes — Sales tax and B&O tax: Washington treats many digital products, digital automated services (DAS), and remote access software (RAS) as taxable.

The Department of Revenue guidance confirms that sales or use tax apply to digital products (downloaded, streamed, subscription services) and that, effective Oct. 1, 2025, additional services/IT and digital advertising activities become subject to retail sales tax.

Businesses with nexus selling subscriptions to Washington consumers must register with DOR, collect and remit sales tax where applicable, and pay B&O tax under the correct classification. Sourcing rules determine which jurisdiction’s tax rates apply.

Review RCW 82.04.192 and related WACs for definitions and sourcing. - Business registration and licensing: Online subscription businesses with nexus in Washington should register with the Washington Department of Revenue and Business Licensing Service to obtain required accounts/licenses and ensure compliance with B&O and sales tax collection obligations. - Data privacy & breach notification: Washington’s breach-notification statute (RCW 19.255) requires notice to affected individuals and establishes processor liability and consumer protection references.

Subscription platforms collecting personal information must have security measures, an incident response plan, and procedures to provide breach notices as required by state law. - Practical compliance steps for US business owners/LLC founders offering subscription services in Washington: - Draft clear terms and conspicuous enrollment flows: disclose auto-renewal, renewal duration, price changes, cancellation steps, and deadlines. - Provide timely written renewal notices where required; implement easy cancellation methods and recordkeeping of acknowledgments and communications. - Register with Washington Department of Revenue and obtain any required business licenses; determine nexus and sourcing rules; collect and remit sales tax beginning when taxable services apply (noting Oct. 1, 2025 changes) and remit B&O taxes. - Implement privacy/security safeguards and a breach response plan that satisfies RCW 19.255 notice requirements. - Monitor Attorney General guidance and Washington legislative developments (e.g., bills like HB 1441 and SB 5207) since statutory requirements and enforcement priorities evolve.

Caveats and next steps: - Some legislative PDFs (e.g., HB 1441) are bill texts; verify whether the bill was enacted or amended and review the final enacted statute or agency regulations for effective dates and scope before relying solely on the bill text.

Likewise, SB 5207 (2025 session) proposing refund rules for electronic media subscriptions was identified; track final status. - Tax law changes effective Oct. 1, 2025 (per DOR) materially affect whether certain subscription services are subject to retail sales tax; consult the Department of Revenue or a tax advisor for application to specific subscription offerings.

Synthesis of the authoritative findings (what Washington compliance for online subscription platforms requires): - Automatic renewal / negative option (subscriptions): Washington legislative activity shows specific requirements for automatic-renewal disclosures for certain business contracts (HB 1441 text requires sellers to provide clear written notice of renewal, duration, price increases, how to decline, and deadline; failure to comply can render automatic renewal provisions unenforceable).

Businesses offering subscriptions should plan to provide explicit, timely renewal notices and clear cancellation mechanisms. Also monitor Attorney General enforcement under the Consumer Protection Act (RCW 19.86) for deceptive practices related to auto-renewal and negative-option billing.

19.86 and can pursue actions, obtain refunds/penalties, and provides consumer complaint resolution. Subscription platforms should avoid deceptive enrollment and cancellation practices and maintain transparent terms and customer communications to reduce enforcement risk. - Taxes — Sales tax and B&O tax: Washington treats many digital products, digital automated services (DAS), and remote access software (RAS) as taxable.

The Department of Revenue guidance confirms that sales or use tax apply to digital products (downloaded, streamed, subscription services) and that, effective Oct. 1, 2025, additional services/IT and digital advertising activities become subject to retail sales tax.

Businesses with nexus selling subscriptions to Washington consumers must register with DOR, collect and remit sales tax where applicable, and pay B&O tax under the correct classification. Sourcing rules determine which jurisdiction’s tax rates apply.

Review RCW 82.04.192 and related WACs for definitions and sourcing.

19.255) requires notice to affected individuals and establishes processor liability and consumer protection references. Subscription platforms collecting personal information must have security measures, an incident response plan, and procedures to provide breach notices as required by state law.

- Register with Washington Department of Revenue and obtain any required business licenses; determine nexus and sourcing rules; collect and remit sales tax beginning when taxable services apply (noting Oct. 1, 2025 changes) and remit B&O taxes.

19.255 notice requirements. - Monitor Attorney General guidance and Washington legislative developments (e.g., bills like HB 1441 and SB 5207) since statutory requirements and enforcement priorities evolve.

Caveats and next steps:

1441) are bill texts; verify whether the bill was enacted or amended and review the final enacted statute or agency regulations for effective dates and scope before relying solely on the bill text. Likewise, SB 5207 (2025 session) proposing refund rules for electronic media subscriptions was identified; track final status. - Tax law changes effective Oct. 1, 2025 (per DOR) materially affect whether certain subscription services are subject to retail sales tax; consult the Department of Revenue or a tax advisor for application to specific subscription offerings.

• Consumer protection enforcement: The Washington AG’s Consumer Protection Division enforces RCW
• Business registration and licensing: Online subscription businesses with nexus in Washington should register with the Washington Department of Revenue and Business Licensing Service to obtain required accounts/licenses and ensure compliance with B&O and sales tax collection obligations.
• Data privacy & breach notification: Washington’s breach-notification statute (RCW
• Practical compliance steps for US business owners/LLC founders offering subscription services in Washington:
• Draft clear terms and conspicuous enrollment flows: disclose auto-renewal, renewal duration, price changes, cancellation steps, and deadlines.
• Provide timely written renewal notices where required; implement easy cancellation methods and recordkeeping of acknowledgments and communications.
• Implement privacy/security safeguards and a breach response plan that satisfies RCW
• Some legislative PDFs (e.g., HB