Open A Business | Washington Department Of Revenue

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Print Open a business

Start here to get licensing requirements for your business.

Answer a few basic questions in our Business Licensing Wizard to get:

• A list of the city, state, and federal licenses your business may need.
• Contact information for each licensing requirement.
• Next steps and forms needed to apply for your Washington State Business License.

Get licensing requirements

Ownership structure

• Corporation
• General Partnership
• Limited Liability Company (LLC)
• Sole Proprietorship
• Limited Partnerships (LP)
• Tenants in Common

Types of businesses

• Industry guides
• Nonprofit organization
• Out-of-state businesses
• Temporary businesses

Apply for a license

• Registration requirements
• Application processing fees
• Apply now
• How to file a Business License Application for a Sole Proprietorship (17:01)
• City endorsements
• County endorsements
• State endorsements
• Buying the assets of a business
• Register and pay back taxes (Voluntary disclosure)

Plan for taxes

• Business tax basics
• Tax classifications
• Tax classifications for common activities
• Sales tax rates

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More information

Small Business Guidance

Road map for opening a business

Attend a workshop

Reseller permits

Sales to nonresidents

Business licensing FAQs

Retirement Marketplace

New business information

Forms & publications

Business License Application (pdf)

• Home
• Open a business
  • Get started
  • Apply for a license
  • Plan for taxes
• Manage a business
  • Run
  • Grow
  • Close
• Taxes & rates
  • Sales & use tax rates
  • Tax incentives
  • Business & occupation tax
  • Retail sales tax
  • Use tax
  • Property tax
  • Other taxes
  • Income tax
• File & pay taxes
  • Filing frequencies & due dates
  • File or amend my return
  • Report no business activity
  • Late filing
  • Reviews and appeals
  • Apply for a tax refund
• Education
  • Industry guides
  • Events & workshops
  • Watch a video
  • Audits
• Forms & publications
  • Forms by name
  • Forms by subject
  • Publications by name
  • Publications by subject