1. Does Washington Require an LLC Annual Report?
Yes. In Washington, most LLCs must file an Annual Report with the Washington Secretary of State to keep the business active and compliant. This filing keeps your public record updated and helps the state confirm your LLC is still operating (or at least maintaining an active registration).
2. What Washington LLCs Must File Each Year
Washington compliance is usually straightforward if you follow a simple checklist. Most LLCs should plan for:
Annual compliance checklist
- Washington Secretary of State Annual Report: the recurring “business maintenance” filing that keeps your LLC active
- Washington Department of Revenue obligations (if applicable): business license renewals and state tax accounts depending on your activity
- Registered Agent renewal (if using a service): keep a valid agent and address to receive official/legal notices
- Federal tax return (IRS): depends on SMLLC vs partnership vs S-corp election
- Bookkeeping + records: maintain clean records to avoid issues with banks, payments, and audits
3. The Main Filing: Washington Annual Report (Business Maintenance)
The Washington Annual Report is the primary yearly filing for most LLCs. It updates the Secretary of State record with current business details and helps keep your company in good standing.
What the Annual Report typically updates
- Principal office address and contact information
- Registered agent and registered office details
- Company leadership information (governors/managers or similar fields depending on entity)
- Controlling interest / ownership-related questions (where applicable in the filing system)
- Your active status and compliance history
If you only remember one thing: Washington LLCs must file the Annual Report every year (generally due by the last day of your anniversary month) to avoid delinquency and keep good standing.
4. Washington LLC Due Dates (Common Scenarios)
Washington annual reports are commonly due by the last day of your LLC’s anniversary month (the month your LLC was formed or registered). Many businesses file early to avoid last-minute issues (often allowed well in advance).
Common due date examples
- Formed on July 10: annual report due by July 31 each year
- Formed on January 2: annual report due by January 31 each year
- Foreign LLC registered in October: annual report due by October 31 each year
What else matters?
- Initial Report: often due within 120 days after formation if not filed with formation
- Registered agent : keep agent info current (missed notices can cause bigger problems)
- DOR licensing/taxes: depending on your activity, you may have additional renewals
- Delinquency: filing late can increase fees and risk administrative dissolution
STAY COMPLIANT
Click the button below and our team will guide you through Washington’s annual report filing—fast and correctly.
Get Compliance Help5. Where to File + What You’ll Need
Washington LLC annual reports are usually filed with the Washington Secretary of State, commonly through the online Corporations & Charities Filing System . Before you file, gather your business details so you can submit without errors.
What you should keep ready
- Legal LLC name and Washington UBI/entity number
- Principal office address, mailing address, phone/email
- Registered agent name and Washington address
- Governor/manager or company leadership details requested by the form
- Payment method for the annual report filing fee
Why founders use a compliance service
- Avoid missed deadlines and delinquency fees
- Reduce rejections due to incorrect information
- Keep clean records for banking and payment processors
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| End-to-end compliance guidance | ✅ State + federal clarity | ➖ Partial | ➖ DIY-heavy |
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The annual report is not “optional paperwork.” Staying active and in good standing helps avoid issues with banks, payment gateways, and vendor verification. File early, keep your registered agent current, and store proof of submission.
6. How to File Washington LLC Annual Report (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Confirm your Washington LLC details
Confirm your LLC’s legal name, UBI/entity number, principal office address, and registered agent details. Small mistakes (wrong address or agent info) can create delays or future notice problems.
Step 2: Log in to the Washington filing system
Most businesses file online through the state’s Corporations & Charities filing portal. Look for business maintenance filings and choose Annual Report.
Step 3: Update your information carefully
Complete the annual report fields and confirm your principal office, registered agent, and leadership details. If the system includes controlling interest questions, answer them accurately based on your situation.
Step 4: Pay the filing fee and save proof
Pay the annual report fee and save proof of submission (confirmation page, receipt, and a PDF copy if available). This helps if you ever need to prove good standing for banking, payment processors, or contracts.
Step 5: Track your next due date
Set a reminder for the next year (end of your anniversary month). Filing early each year reduces risk and avoids last-minute technical issues.
7. Tips to Stay Compliant
- Set a reminder for the last day of your anniversary month every year
- File early (avoid last-week portal delays or payment issues)
- Keep your registered agent information updated
- Store submission proof (receipt + confirmation) for banks and payment processors
- Review WA Department of Revenue requirements if you have sales, employees, or a WA business license
8. Fees, Penalties & Good Standing
- Annual Report (Profit entities incl. LLC): commonly $70 when filed on time
- Delinquent filing: often increases the total (example: $95 total for an annual report filed while delinquent)
- Initial Report (if needed within first 120 days): commonly $10 when filed separately
- Registered Agent (if using a service): typically $50/year
- Good standing impact: compliance affects banking, payment platforms, and vendor onboarding
| Compliance Item | Typical Timing | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Report (if not filed with formation) | Within first 120 days | $10 |
| Annual Report (Secretary of State) | Annually (last day of anniversary month) | $70 |
| Annual Report (if delinquent) | After deadline | $95 (commonly) |
| Registered Agent Renewal | Annually | $100–$300 |
| Federal Income Tax Return | Annually | Varies |
9. Federal Compliance That Impacts Washington LLCs
1. Federal tax return (IRS)
Your Washington LLC’s federal filing depends on classification: single-member LLCs often report on the owner’s return, partnerships file an informational return, and S-corp elections follow S-corp filing rules.
2. EIN (Employer Identification Number)
Many LLCs use an EIN to open bank accounts, hire employees, and work with payment processors. Keeping EIN confirmations and IRS notices organized helps with compliance documentation.
3. BOI updates (Corporate Transparency)
If your ownership or key information changes, you may need to update federal beneficial ownership information (where applicable). This is separate from Washington annual report filing but often comes up during annual reviews.
4. Other recurring federal obligations
- Payroll tax filings if the LLC has employees
- Information returns (such as 1099 forms) when required
- Keeping clean bookkeeping for audits, banking, and compliance reviews
10. Conclusion
The biggest takeaway: Washington LLCs must file an Annual Report each year with the Secretary of State, generally due by the last day of the anniversary month. Filing on time helps you stay in good standing and avoid delinquency, added fees, or administrative dissolution.
With FormLLC, you can stay compliant without confusion—our team helps you follow the right schedule, file correctly, and keep your business active and credible.
11. Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Washington LLCs generally must file an Annual Report with the Washington Secretary of State to stay active and in good standing.
Washington annual reports are commonly due by the last day of your LLC’s anniversary month (the month your LLC was formed or registered).
For profit business entities (including most LLCs), the on-time filing fee is commonly $70. If you file late and your LLC is delinquent, the total can increase due to delinquency fees.
Yes. Most businesses file online through the Washington Corporations & Charities Filing System by selecting business maintenance filings and then Annual Report.
Washington commonly requires an Initial Report within the first 120 days for many LLCs if it wasn’t filed with formation. After that, you file the Annual Report each year.
Missing the deadline can make your LLC delinquent, trigger added fees, and eventually lead to administrative dissolution. It can also cause issues with banks, payment processors, vendor onboarding, and contracts.
Often yes. Many businesses file early to avoid last-minute delays and keep compliance clean year after year.
