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Forming an LLC in Washington — Hispanic entrepreneur guide

How to form an LLC in Washington: formation fee ($200), annual fee ($60 annual report), step-by-step process.

Forming an LLC in Washington

Why Washington

No state income tax — Washington has no personal income tax Home to Seattle (Amazon, Microsoft) + Tacoma + Spokane Hispanic community ~14% (Yakima, Tri-Cities, Seattle) Accepts ITIN without restrictions

Key facts

ItemInformation
Formation fee$200
Annual fee$60 annual report
DeadlineAnnual Report due on anniversary ($60)
Accepts ITIN✅ Yes

Process

  1. Unique name ending in “LLC”
  2. Registered Agent in Washington
  3. Articles of Organization ($200)
  4. Operating Agreement (internal)
  5. EIN from IRS (free)
  6. Business bank account

Platform: Washington Secretary of State


Last verified: 2026-05-24.

State services and resources in Washington

Where to register your LLC in Washington

The Secretary of State office (or equivalent) of Washington handles LLC registrations. Generally accepts filings:

  • Online (fastest, 1-3 days)
  • By mail (4-8 weeks)
  • In person (varies by state capital)

Post-formation requirements

  1. EIN from IRS (free, online, ~15 minutes)
  2. Business bank account — most require LLC docs + EIN
  3. State/local licenses depending on business type
  4. Annual Report yearly (keeps LLC active)
  5. Quarterly tax estimates if income > $1,000/quarter

LLC for immigrants with ITIN

  • Permitted: ITIN holders can be LLC members
  • Banking: business accounts with ITIN available (BlueVine, Mercury, Lili — verify policies)
  • Tax filing: Schedule C on your 1040 with ITIN; Form 1065 for multi-member LLC

Common errors

  • Forgetting annual report (can dissolve LLC)
  • Mixing personal and LLC finances (loses limited liability protection)
  • No Operating Agreement (even single-member)
  • Operating in another state without registering as foreign LLC

Washington-specific resources

  • Washington Secretary of State — LLC search + filings
  • Washington Department of Revenue — state business taxes
  • SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) — free small business mentoring
  • SBA (Small Business Administration) — resources and financing

Last verified: 2026-05-25.

General procedural information for educational purposes. Not legal, tax, or immigration advice. Laws and fees change — verify with the issuing agency before taking action. For case-specific guidance, consult a licensed immigration attorney or other appropriate professional.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need SSN to form an LLC in Washington?
NO. You can form an LLC in Washington using ITIN or just passport number. After, to open a bank account for the LLC, you’ll need EIN (free Federal Tax ID from IRS, NO SSN required) and possibly the holder’s ITIN.
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Washington?
Costs vary: state filing fee $50-$500, registered agent $0-$300/year (self-RA if you have Washington address), LLC operating agreement $0-$200, EIN FREE via IRS, annual report fees $20-$300/year depending on state.
Better to form LLC in Washington or in Wyoming/Delaware?
If your business operates in Washington, cheapest is forming LLC in Washington. If you operate in another state but register the LLC in Wyoming/Delaware, you must register as ‘foreign LLC’ in your operating state — paying both fees. Wyoming/Delaware only makes sense for passive LLCs (rentals, investments, holding companies).
Does my Washington LLC pay taxes?
By default, single-member LLC is ‘disregarded entity’ (taxes flow through to owner via Schedule C). Multi-member LLC treated as ‘partnership’ (Form 1065). You can elect S-Corp or C-Corp taxation via Form 2553/8832. Consult CPA with ITIN experience.