Washington compliance step-by-step simulation

Research summary and extracted compliance guidance for: "Washington compliance step-by-step simulation" — for US business owners and LLC founders (Washington state). I searched official Washington state resources and authoritative guidance (Secretary of State, Department of Revenue/Business Licensing, Labor & Industries, Employment Security, plus reputable secondary guides) to extract the step-by-step compliance items, key deadlines, fees, and links needed to construct a simulation checklist from formation through ongoing compliance.Key findings (concise step-by-step simulation / checklist):1) Choose and confirm a business name; reserve if desired. Check name availability with the WA Secretary of State business search.2) Designate a Washington registered agent (must have street address in WA and valid email for agent/principal on filings).3) File Certificate of Formation (domestic LLC) online via WA Secretary of State CCFS. Filing fee and processing: filing fee is $180 (plus online processing fee/optional expedited service; online queue/expedite options available).4) File the Initial Report: due within 120 days of formation or registration (can be deferred during filing if selected). Initial report updates registered agent, management, principal office; filing later may incur a fee.5) Obtain a UBI and state business licensing: register with Washington Department of Revenue / Business Licensing Service (Business Licensing Wizard) to obtain Unified Business Identifier (UBI) and state business license; expect processing fees (wizard/filing processing).6) Obtain an EIN from the IRS for tax reporting and banking.7) Determine tax registrations and filings: register with WA DOR for B&O tax and sales/use tax if applicable (Washington imposes B&O tax on gross receipts; no state personal/corporate income tax); register for employer accounts if hiring (ESD unemployment insurance).8) Employer obligations: register with Employment Security Department (UI), Labor & Industries (workers’ compensation and employer reporting), set up payroll tax withholding and reporting.9) Local and industry-specific licenses/permits: check city/county requirements (e.g., Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane) and county/city permits, zoning, health/food/alcohol/contractor licenses as required.10) Ongoing filings and deadlines: Annual Report due every year (fee $60) by the end of the anniversary month of formation; maintain registered agent and up-to-date SOS records. Failure to file can lead to administrative dissolution or penalties (reinstatement within 5 years requires unpaid annual report fees plus a $140 penalty and possible additional fees).11) Foreign LLCs: Foreign registration required (file Foreign Registration Statement and provide Certificate of Existence/Good Standing from home jurisdiction; online filing available; fees apply).12) BOI/Beneficial Ownership (Corporate Transparency Act): entities like LLCs have FinCEN filing obligations per CTA — deadlines differ for existing vs newly formed entities; review BOI reporting requirements and deadlines.13) Dissolution, withdrawal, and reinstatement: follow Secretary of State guidance for voluntary dissolution, withdrawal, or reinstatement (fees and penalties apply).14) Practical items: draft an Operating Agreement, open a business bank account, maintain records, consider a registered agent service, and maintain compliance calendar (initial report, annual report, tax returns and tax deposit schedules, payroll filings, L&I reports).Why these items are sufficient for a step-by-step simulation:- The Secretary of State is the authoritative source for formation, registered agent, initial and annual report rules, fees, and foreign registration—this defines formation and SOS compliance steps.- The Business Licensing Service / Department of Revenue is the authoritative source for UBI, state licensing, B&O and sales/use tax registration—this defines tax and licensing steps.- Labor & Industries and Employment Security Department define employer obligations (workers’ comp, UI) that affect payroll and employer-level compliance.- Secondary expert summaries (Chamber of Commerce, UpCounsel, LegalZoom) corroborate timelines, fees, and practical operational steps (operating agreement, EIN, bank account) and clarify common pitfalls and costs.Next recommended actions for producing the full blog content and newsletter (if you want me to proceed):- Use the extracted official links and the checklist above to build the step-by-step simulation narrative (timeline with day 0: name + registered agent; day 1–7: file Certificate of Formation & elect to defer or file initial report; day 0–30: obtain EIN, register with DOR for UBI and taxes; day 1–90: set up payroll and L&I/ESD; ongoing: annual report reminders and tax filing cadence).- Add state-specific examples (fee amounts, forms, exact URLs) and short city-licensing notes for major municipalities.If you want me to generate the actual blog post, full step-by-step simulation timeline, checklist printable, and the newsletter copy (subject already provided), I can produce them using the above sources and the official links below.