Start a Business in Washington
Costs, permits, taxes, and requirements for WA.
- Cost rank
- 43rd of 50
- 112% of the national average · tied with 1 other state
- State income tax
- None
- One of 9 states with none — federal tax still applies
- Sales tax
- 6.5%
- You collect it on taxable sales and remit it to the state
- LLC filing fee
- $200
- One-off, paid to the Secretary of State · 5th most expensive of 50 (median $100)
Where Washington sits on cost
Cheapest third to most expensive third, by startup cost index. Hover a state for its index and rank.
What's different in Washington
Washington has no personal income tax, and the trade for that is a tax on business gross receipts rather than on profit, which means a high-turnover, low-margin operation can owe a meaningful amount in a year it barely broke even. Seattle and several other cities run their own version on top, so the same revenue can be taxed at two levels. The wage floor is among the highest in the country and several cities set it higher still, so payroll modelling that assumes the federal minimum is wrong before it starts. The state is also two economies, and the eastern half prices like a different place.
- Taxed on turnover, not profit
- Low-margin models feel this hardest; run the numbers on revenue rather than on what is left over.
- The city taxes it too
- Several cities levy their own receipts tax, so check the municipal rules alongside the state ones.
- Wage floor
- State and city minimums both run above the federal figure, which changes the first hire's cost.
- Two economies
- Puget Sound rents and eastern Washington rents are not in the same conversation.
Business Guides for Washington
All 53, cheapest first. Ranges are what that business actually costs in WA.
Under $10K 19
- Notary Services $336 – $2,240
- Social Media Management $550 – $3,350
- Pet Sitting $560 – $3,360
- Web Design $550 – $5,600
- Dog Walking $560 – $5,600
- Tutoring $550 – $11,200
- E-Commerce $560 – $11,200
- Personal Training $2,000 – $10,000
- Window Cleaning $1,120 – $11,200
- Graphic Design $1,125 – $11,200
- Bookkeeping $2,250 – $11,200
- Handyman $2,000 – $12,000
- Cleaning Business $2,000 – $15,000
- Photography $2,000 – $15,000
- Lawn Care $3,000 – $15,000
- Pressure Washing $3,000 – $15,000
- House Painting $2,240 – $16,800
- Pool Cleaning $2,240 – $16,800
- Tax Preparation $2,250 – $16,800
$10K – $50K 17
- Vending Machine $3,360 – $16,800
- Consulting $1,125 – $22,400
- Event Planning $2,250 – $22,400
- DJ Service $3,350 – $22,400
- Interior Design $2,240 – $28,000
- Carpet Cleaning $5,600 – $28,000
- Massage Therapy $5,600 – $28,000
- Mobile Spa $8,960 – $28,000
- Auto Detailing $5,000 – $50,000
- Landscaping $5,000 – $50,000
- Wedding Photography $11,200 – $44,800
- Junk Removal $5,600 – $56,000
- Pest Control $11,200 – $56,000
- Pet Grooming $5,600 – $84,000
- Catering $11,200 – $84,000
- Florist $11,200 – $84,000
- Tree Service $11,200 – $84,000
$50K and up 17
- Bakery $500 – $100,000
- Electrician $16,800 – $84,000
- Plumbing $16,800 – $84,000
- Yoga Studio $16,800 – $112,000
- HVAC $22,400 – $112,000
- Moving Company $22,400 – $112,000
- Barber Shop $28,000 – $134,400
- Nail Salon $33,600 – $168,000
- Hair Salon $39,200 – $168,000
- Gym $56,000 – $168,000
- Food Truck $50,000 – $200,000
- Ice Cream Shop $56,000 – $336,000
- Coffee Shop $92,000 – $345,000
- Daycare $5,600 – $560,000
- Car Wash $56,000 – $560,000
- Laundromat $112,000 – $560,000
- Restaurant $196,000 – $560,000
Get a personalized cost estimate for Washington
Calculate CostsBusiness Requirements in Washington
Register Your Business
File with Washington Secretary of State. LLC fee: $200
Get Business License
Most cities require a general business license ($50-$300).
Get EIN
Free from IRS. Required for bank accounts and taxes.
Register for Sales Tax
State rate: 6.5%. Local taxes may apply.
Get Business Insurance
General liability protects from lawsuits. Often required by landlords.