Form your company in Washington

Why form an LLC in Washington?

Washington has no personal income tax on wages, but it's a pricier, higher-compliance state: about $200 to form, $70/yr, slower ~5-business-day processing, and a B&O gross-receipts tax on business revenue. Form here mainly if you operate in Washington; remote and non-US founders usually do better in Wyoming or New Mexico.

A quick reminder from us: forming in a state where you do not actually operate usually means you still have to register (foreign-qualify) in your home state, often with little or no tax benefit. If you are unsure, tell us how you plan to operate and we will recommend the right fit — free.

Costs and fees

The Washington Secretary of State charges roughly $200 to file Articles of Organization, with an ongoing state cost of about $70/yr report. No personal income tax on wages, but a Business & Occupation (B&O) gross-receipts tax and a ~7% capital-gains excise tax may apply; $70 annual report; no traditional franchise tax. State fees are paid directly to the state and are separate from our service fee.

• Filing fee: $200 (approximate)
• Ongoing state cost: $70/yr report
• Typical processing time: ~5 business days

Taxes and privacy

Personal state income tax in Washington: None. Owner privacy on the public record is generally rated low.

Your federal tax obligations (and your EIN) are the same regardless of the state you choose — a single-member LLC is taxed as a pass-through by default, and we can obtain your EIN even if you do not have an SSN.

Pros of forming in Washington

• No state personal income tax on wages
• Well-established, reliable Secretary of State registry
• Predictable annual report process
• Strong local economy if you genuinely operate in-state

Things to weigh

• Higher formation cost — about $200 online (includes a processing fee)
• B&O tax applies to gross receipts (revenue, not profit) if you have WA nexus
• Slower processing — roughly 5 business days online, 3–4 weeks by mail
• Annual report publicly lists a governor (member/manager) — low privacy
• Higher $70 annual report fee

Banking for your Washington LLC

A US bank account isn't tied to Washington formation — you can bank from any state. Fintechs like Mercury, Relay, and Wise accept LLCs from any formation state; all require beneficial-owner KYC.

Whichever state you choose, we prepare the documents banks ask for and can obtain your EIN even without an SSN. Bank and provider approval is always their decision — we are not affiliated with any bank.

Is Washington right for you?

Best for: Operators in WA wanting no wage income tax. If you operate physically in Washington, forming here keeps things simple. If you are a remote or non-US founder without a specific reason to choose Washington, a low-cost, privacy-friendly state like Wyoming or New Mexico is often the better default.

Not sure? Start your application and we will confirm the best state for your situation before anything is filed.