How much does it cost to start an LLC in Washington in 2026?

Forming an LLC in Washington requires a one-time initial filing fee of $200 paid to the Washington Secretary of State (CCFS). When accounting for standard registered agent compliance ($39-$125/yr), expect initial Year 1 costs to be approximately $239.

What are the annual recurring fees for a Washington LLC?

Washington charges an annual report fee of $60 filed on a annual basis (due End of anniversary month annually). There is no state franchise tax on standard LLCs in Washington.

What is the true 5-year cost of maintaining a Washington LLC?

Over 5 years, the true cost of a Washington LLC is approximately $635. This includes initial formation ($200), recurring annual reports ($60), statutory franchise taxes, and compliance support.

Can I form an out-of-state LLC (e.g. Wyoming or Delaware) if I live in Washington?

While you can legally form an entity in Delaware or Wyoming, if your principal place of business, employees, or operations are located in Washington, you must register as a Foreign LLC in Washington. In Washington, the foreign qualification filing fee is $200 plus ongoing maintenance of $60/year, often resulting in double fees.

Verified 2026 Statutory Guide

Washington LLC Cost Calculator & 5-Year Taxes

Initial state filing fee: $200. Ongoing annual report fee: $60 (annual). No state franchise tax.

Compare Washington vs Others

Direct Answer • 2026 Official Fee Schedule

Starting an LLC in Washington costs $200 for the one-time Articles of Organization filing fee, plus $60/yr in recurring annual report fees. Over 5 years, maintaining a Washington LLC costs an estimated $635.

Initial State Filing$200One-time payment

Annual Report$60Due End of anniversary month annually

Franchise Tax$0/yrrevenue_based

Registered Agent$39–$125Annual service

Statutory Department: Washington Secretary of State (CCFS)

Verify on State Website (.gov)

Washington LLC 5-Year Cost Model

Adjust parameters below to model state filing fees, recurring franchise taxes, and compliance overhead.

Popular:

1. State of LLC FormationInitial: $200

Approval speed: Instant online•Public Privacy: Standard

2. Where do you conduct business?

If you reside or hire employees in a different state from your LLC, that state requires Foreign Qualification registration.

3. Estimated Annual Gross Revenue$150,000

Washington Tax Rule: No corporate or personal income tax, but Washington levies a Business & Occupation (B&O) gross receipts tax (typically 0.471% - 1.75% depending on industry, with small business tax credits for revenue under ~$125k).

4. Registered Agent ServiceMandatory by law

5. Expedited State Processing

Expedited State Processing (+$50)

Accelerates state filing from Instant online to 24-48 hours.

Deciding where to incorporate?

Compare Washington vs Wyoming & Delaware →

Year 1 Setup Cost

$239

Initial formation fee ($200) + registered agent

Annual Maintenance

$99 /yr avg

Annual report ($60/yr)

5-Year True CostAll Hidden Fees Included

$635(~$11/mo)

Total 5-year statutory commitment to maintain legal compliance in Washington.

5-Year Cost Trajectory & Fee Composition(Click any year to inspect)

Notice how initial filing fees are often dwarfed by recurring franchise taxes and maintenance.

Inspecting: Year 1 ($239)

$239

Year 1Formation

$99

Year 2Renewal

$99

Year 3Renewal

$99

Year 4Renewal

$99

Year 5Renewal

State Formation & Expedited

Franchise & Entity Taxes

Annual / Biennial Reports

Special Mandates (Publication, etc.)

Registered Agent Compliance

Home State Foreign Qualification

Year 1 Itemized Line Items

Total: $239

State Filing$200

Franchise Tax$0

Annual Report$0

Special / Pub$0

Registered Agent$39

Foreign Qual.$0

5-Year Budget Allocation by Cost Category

Total State Filings

$200

31% of 5-yr budget

Total Franchise Taxes

0% of 5-yr budget

Annual / Biennial Reports

$240

38% of 5-yr budget

Registered Agent Service

$195

31% of 5-yr budget

Publication / Mandates

0% of 5-yr budget

Founder Cost-Reduction Tip

Save on your Washington filing fees & protect your personal privacy

Pro Tip: Filing directly through the state exposes your personal home address on public government records forever. You can keep your private details off the public registry and save time by using a top-rated Registered Agent service starting at $39 + state fees.

Free Home Address RedactionInstant Washington Compliance AlertsAnnual Report Reminders

Get Started for $39 + State FeesRated 4.8/5 by 10,000+ founders • No hidden renewal spikes

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Open a zero-fee business checking account for your Washington LLC

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Washington LLC Statutory Framework & Compliance Guide (2026)

Statutory requirements and fee schedules under the Washington Secretary of State (CCFS).

Official State Portal (.gov)

Annual Report Due DateEnd of anniversary month annuallyFrequency: ANNUAL

Normal TurnaroundInstant onlineExpedited: +$50

Public Record PrivacyStandardRegistered agent protects personal address

State Personal Income Tax0% (No personal state income tax; 7% capital gains tax over $250k)LLC pass-through profits flow to owners

Washington Franchise Tax & Business Privilege Tax Rules

No corporate or personal income tax, but Washington levies a Business & Occupation (B&O) gross receipts tax (typically 0.471% - 1.75% depending on industry, with small business tax credits for revenue under ~$125k).

Advantages of a Washington LLC

0% personal state income tax
Massive tech ecosystem (Seattle, Bellevue)
Instant online processing

Drawbacks & Hidden Costs

$200 formation fee
B&O tax applies to gross receipts regardless of profitability

Founder Pro-Tip for Washington

Check your business classification for Washington B&O tax rates to avoid surprises at tax time.

Step-by-Step Washington LLC Formation Checklist (2026)

Choose an Available Entity Name

Must include "LLC", "L.L.C.", or "Limited Liability Company" and be distinguishable on the Washington Secretary of State (CCFS) registry.

Appoint a Washington Registered Agent

Must have a physical street address in Washington (no P.O. boxes) to receive official service of process during regular business hours.

File Articles of Organization ($200 State Fee)

Submit electronically to the Washington Secretary of State (CCFS). Approval is typically granted within Instant online.

Execute an Operating Agreement & Obtain Federal EIN

Establish member capital contributions, voting rights, and obtain a free 9-digit EIN from IRS.gov for business checking accounts.

Maintain Ongoing Legal Good Standing (End of anniversary month annually)

Submit the annual report with the $60 fee to prevent automatic forfeiture or late fee assessments.

Compare Washington with Rival & Neighboring States

Evaluating formation options? Review fee structures in competing jurisdictions:

Filing: $100

Filing: $110

Filing: $300

Filing: $70