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Washington corporation cost

Official fees for forming and keeping a corporation in Washington, from Washington Secretary of State, Corporations and Charities Division.

1 year$250
3 years$390
5 years$530

Formation plus recurring state fees and taxes. Excludes registered agent costs. Adjust in the calculator.

Washington corporation cost at a glance

Forming a corporation in Washington costs $180 in state filing fees. After that, Washington charges a report fee of $70 a year. Over five years the state's own charges come to $530, the 36th lowest of the 51 states with full corporation figures here (the median is $285). Registered agent service and local licenses are extra.

Line by line

ItemAmountOfficial source
Formation filing fee$180www.sos.wa.gov
Annual or biennial report fee$70www.sos.wa.gov
Foreign registration (another state's corporation)$180www.sos.wa.gov

What to know

How to form a corporation in Washington

  1. Check the name. Search the Washington Secretary of State, Corporations and Charities Division business records to confirm the name is free. State filing page.
  2. File the articles of incorporation. The Washington Secretary of State, Corporations and Charities Division charges $180 to form a corporation.
  3. Name a registered agent. The agent needs a physical address in Washington. You can serve as your own.
  4. Get an EIN. The IRS issues it free on its own website.
  5. Stay in good standing. Washington charges a report fee of $70 a year. See What to know above for the details that are easy to miss.

Other business types in Washington

An LLC costs $180 to start, then a report fee of $70 a year. A nonprofit corporation costs $355 to start including the IRS Form 1023-EZ fee, then a report fee of $60 a year. Compare them in the calculator.

Registering an out-of-state corporation in Washington

A corporation formed in another state registers in Washington as a foreign corporation. The Washington Secretary of State, Corporations and Charities Division charges $180 for the registration.

Common questions

How much does it cost to start a corporation in Washington?

The state filing fee is $180, and Washington then charges a report fee of $70 a year.

What does a corporation in Washington cost over five years?

$530 in state fees and taxes, counting formation and every recurring charge.

How much does it cost to register a foreign corporation in Washington?

$180, paid to the Washington Secretary of State, Corporations and Charities Division.

Compare with nearby states in cost

See every state ranked

Guides

What you'll need to start a corporation in Washington

  1. 1

    File your Articles of Incorporation

    $180

    The document that creates your corporation with the state of Washington.

    Have it done

    • Tailor Brands$0 + state feestate filing (Articles of Incorporation), processing in 14 business days. Registered agent $199/yr; EIN $99; Essential $199/yr and Elite $249/yr plans add faster filing and compliance
    • ZenBusiness$0 + state feestate filing (Articles of Incorporation), name check. Registered agent $99 first year, then $199/yr; EIN +$99
    • Zenind$0 + state feestate filing, name check, filing within 7 days. Registered agent and address +$99/yr; bylaws and certificates $99 unless on Standard or Premium
    • Registered Agents Inc$100 + state feestate filing, registered agent (1 yr), online account. Registered agent $200/yr after year 1
    • LegalZoomfrom $149 + state feestate filing (Articles of Incorporation), name search, tax consultation. Registered agent optional, price not stated on page

    Lowest listed price first, from each company’s own pricing page.

  2. 2

    Name a registered agent

    $0 yourself, or $99 to $200 a year

    A person or company with a street address in Washington who receives legal and state mail for the corporation.

    Do it yourself

    Be your own agent if you have a street address in Washington.

    Have it done

    • ZenBusiness$99/yrregistered agent (first year). Renews at $199/yr
    • Zenind$99/yrregistered address, mail scanning and forwarding. $99 per year
    • Registered Agents Inc$200/yrannual report filing. $200 per year

    Lowest listed price first, from each company’s own pricing page.

  3. 3

    Get an EIN (tax ID)

    Free

    The federal number banks and the IRS use for your corporation.

    Do it yourself

    Apply on IRS.gov. The IRS states you can get one "in minutes for free".

  4. 4

    File the annual report

    $70 a year

    The recurring filing that keeps the corporation in good standing.

  5. 5

    Open a business bank account

    $0 a month

    Keeps business money separate from personal money. Banks ask for your EIN.

    Options

    • Bluevine$0/mono minimum balance, no overdraft fees. Opening deposit: no minimum balance requirement
    • Mercury$0/mono minimum balance, no account opening fee. Opening deposit: none stated
    • Relay$0/mono minimum balance. Grow $30/month; opening deposit none (no minimum balance)

    Lowest listed price first, from each company’s own pricing page.

  6. 6

    Optional: elect S corporation status

    Filed with the IRS

    The IRS describes Form 2553 this way: a corporation or other entity eligible to be treated as a corporation files it to make an election under section 1362(a) to be an S corporation.

    Do it yourself

    IRS Form 2553.

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