Notes

  • Before applying for your Master business license, you may want to wait until you get your business registration information and UBI from the Secretary of State. When applying for the Master License, if they do not have a record of a UBI, they will issue one. Waiting for the Secretary of State information will prevent you from getting two different UBI numbers and having to sort it out.
  • When applying online for your business license, they will refer to license requirements for certain cities located in the State. It does allow you to apply for the city license along with the master license.
  • You will want to contact the city you are doing business in to see if they have additional requirements to meet before your city license is issued. The Master License may not be issued until the city approves your city license if one is required.
  • You will be required to file a listing with the county showing personal property used in the business for property tax purposes. Check the county you are conducting business in to see what property tax or other business requirements there are.
washington state business resources

Useful Resources for WA Businesses

We have put together some information with links pertaining to business activities in the State of Washington. We hope you find these helpful whether you are considering opening a new business or already have one going.

Starting a New Business

Are you thinking about starting a business in the State of Washington? Not only can we create a website for your new business, we offer some information that might help you get started. Please keep in mind that we are providing this information only to assist you and we are not providing any kind of legal, financial or business advice.

Here are just a few websites pertaining to business in Washington that might help you:

  • Washington Secretary of State (http://www.secstate.wa.gov/corps/). This is the website where you register your business, such as a Corporation, an LLC, etc. It includes all of the forms necessary to register your business with the State of Washington. You can do this online or download and print the forms and mail them in. The cost as of January 2009 was $195 to apply online. When they complete your registration, they will issue a UBI number to you. This is also the website you want to use to make sure your business name is available for use.
  • Washington State Department of Licensing (http://www.dol.wa.gov/business/). This website provides the online application process to apply for your Master Business license. The cost as of January 2009 was $50 for the Master License. The cost for the City license varies. (See additional notes below.)
  • Internal Revenue Service resource guide: "What New Business Owners Need to Know About Federal Taxes". (http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=99336,00.html
  • Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (http://www.lni.wa.gov/). This website provides you with information you need as an employer. It also provides you with contact information to order the employee forms and posters you are required to have located in your workplace. All of the forms and posters can be obtained from them at no charge. You do not need to buy them through the commercial offers you might see or get through the mail. Just give them a call and they will mail them to you.

Existing Washington Businesses

Here are some information links that may help you:

  • Washington Department of Financial Institutions. "Small Business Assistance". (http://www.dfi.wa.gov/sd/smallbusiness.htm)
  • Small Business Administration (http://www.sba.gov/ ). Provides a wealth of information, such as outline information on how to prepare a business plan, obtaining financial assistance, and directions to local resources in the area where you live in Washington.
  • Washington Small Business Development Center (http://www.wsbdc.org/). Provides a number of resources for small business owners.
  • Access Washington (http://wa.gov/business/start.aspx). Provides more resources on starting up a new business.
  • Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (http://www.lni.wa.gov/). Provides you with contact information to order employee forms and posters required in the workplace, free of charge.
  • Washington State Department of Revenue Tax Rate Calculator(http://dor.wa.gov/Content/FindTaxesandRates/SalesAndUseTaxRates/LookUpATaxRate/). Provides you with the Tax Rate Lookup Tool, for Sales and Use Tax rates which went into effect July 1, 2008. Please keep in mind that these rates may change at any time so keep checking to stay up to date.