Washington LLC Annual Report
Once you have formed your Washington LLC, you must stay on top of your state’s filing deadlines (annual report) in order to stay in good standing and avoid unnecessary fines or penalties.
This article answers the following questions for a Washington LLC:
What Is an Annual Report?
In Washington, an annual report is a regular filing that your limited liability company must complete every year to update your business information, including:
- Principal office address(es)
- Registered agent name and address
- New registered agents must sign the report to consent to their appointment
- Names and addresses of LLC governors (i.e., members or managers)
- Business purpose
The purpose of this report is to keep your business records up to date with the State of Washington. This allows creditors and other interested parties to look up your business address in case they need to contact you. The government uses this information to track the payment of your LLC state taxes.
Ready to form a Washington LLC? Read our llc formation services review to find the best service for you.
How Do I File an Annual Report?
You can file your Washington LLC annual report with the Secretary of State. You must have your UBI number in order to file, which can be found using the business entity search.
File Your Washington Annual Report
OPTION 1: File Online With the Washington Secretary of State
File Online- OR -
OPTION 2: File by Mail
Download FormFee: $60
Mailing Address:
Secretary of State
P.O. Box 40234
Olympia, WA 98504-0234
Due Date: Washington LLC annual reports are due every year by the end of your LLC’s anniversary month (i.e., the month when you initially registered your LLC with the state).
Late Filings: Any annual report received after the dues date will result in a $25 late fee. Further failure to file an annual report could result in the dissolution of your Washington LLC.
Should I Use a Registered Agent Service?
A registered agent is a person or business nominated by your company to officially receive and send papers on your behalf. By using a registered agent service, you can ensure that your LLC's reports are always filed on time to the appropriate government agency. Here are the three main advantages to using a registered agent service for your LLC:
- Avoid late filing penalties: The Secretary of State can dissolve a Washington LLC if it does not file an annual report. A registered agent service will notify you when reports are due, and they can also submit the filing for you for an additional fee.
- Gain flexibility: A registered agent service can receive and send documents for your LLC during regular business hours so that you don’t have to be on the job from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every week. You can also use a registered agent service to form an LLC in other states where you don't already have an established business presence.
- Maintain privacy: Using a registered agent service allows you to keep your personal address off of public records, ensuring your privacy. Additionally, if someone sues your LLC, the lawsuit will be served to the registered agent’s address rather than your place of business.
Learn more about getting a Washington registered agent by reading our guide.
Recommended: Northwest provides free registered agent service for the first year as part of their LLC packages.