Washington LLC Annual Report
Washington LLC Annual Report Filings
After establishing a Washington LLC and submitting your Initial Report, you are required to file an Annual Report every year to ensure your LLC remains compliant and in good standing.
Washington LLC Annual Report Fee
The fee for filing the Annual Report is $60 annually.
Due Date
The Annual Report for your Washington LLC is due by the last day of the month in which your LLC was initially approved. This month is referred to as your LLC's anniversary month.
You can find the exact due date on your stamped and approved Certificate of Formation, located in the upper right corner. Alternatively, use the advanced business search feature on the state's website to locate your LLC by name and find the "formation/registration" date.
For instance, if your Washington LLC was approved on August 5, 2024, the first Annual Report would be due by August 31, 2025. Subsequent Annual Reports will also be due by August 31 each year.
It's important to distinguish between the Initial Report and the Annual Report. The Initial Report must be filed within 120 days of your LLC's formation, while Annual Reports are due every year by the end of your LLC's anniversary month. The Initial Report is sometimes referred to as the "first" Annual Report, which can be confusing.
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Penalty
If the due date for the Annual Report is missed, a $25 penalty will be added to the filing fee, making the total $85.
If the Annual Report is not filed within 90 days after the due date, the Secretary of State will administratively dissolve your Washington LLC, effectively shutting it down.
Reminders
The Secretary of State will send a courtesy reminder to your LLC's Registered Agent address approximately 45 days before the Annual Report is due.
Even if you do not receive this reminder from the Secretary of State, it remains your responsibility to file the Annual Report on time. Failure to do so will result in the dissolution of your LLC by the state.
Annual Report Filing Methods & Processing Times
You can file the Annual Report either online or by mail. However, online filing is preferred as it is more efficient, and the report is approved instantly.
For mail filing, processing takes 10 to 12 business days.
Both filing methods require a $60 fee.
✏️ Important:
The most common reason for LLC dissolution by the Washington Secretary of State is failure to file the Annual Report.
Regardless of receiving reminders or not, it is crucial to file your Washington LLC's Annual Report each year.
Setting up a recurring reminder on your phone, computer, or in a visible location is highly recommended.
Washington LLC Annual Report (Online Filing)
If you haven't already done so, you'll need to create an account in the Corporations & Charities Filing System (CCFS).
You can create your CCFS account here.
Get Started
- From the left navigation menu, select "Business Maintenance Filings".
- Click on "Annual Report".
Business Search
Search for your Washington LLC using either its UBI Number or its name. Choose your LLC from the search results and click "Continue".
✎ Note:
Most information about your LLC will be pre-filled from your Certificate of Formation. You will mostly need to verify and confirm the details, but you can update any necessary information and add new sections as required.
Business Information
This section displays your LLC's information without needing any input from you.
Registered Agent
To modify your existing Registered Agent information, click the pencil icon. To add a new Registered Agent, you must first remove the current one and then add a new one.
In Washington, you have three options for your LLC's Registered Agent. For more details, refer to our guide on Washington LLC Registered Agents.
Principal Office
Review and update the Principal Office address if necessary. Entering an email address is mandatory while providing a phone number is optional.
Do not select the Address Confidentiality Program box unless you are a participant in the program, which offers privacy protection for individuals who have experienced criminal activity.
Governors
In Washington, the term "Governor" refers to any LLC Member or Manager.
Your existing LLC Governor information should already be listed. You can edit or remove any Governors by clicking the appropriate icons. To add new Governors, click the "Add Governor" button.
For more information on the difference between LLC Members and Managers, see our guide: Member-Managed LLC vs Manager-Managed LLC.
Nature of Business
If this field is empty, select the type of business activities your Washington LLC will engage in from the dropdown menu. If no options fit, choose "Other" and describe your LLC's activities.
For example, you might enter "real estate transactions", "bookstore", "e-commerce", or a more detailed description if necessary.
Washington allows a general purpose, meaning your LLC can engage in any lawful activity. If you prefer this option, select "Any Lawful Purpose" from the dropdown menu.
If uncertain about the business activities, you can always update this information in future Annual Reports. Most filers opt for a general-purpose LLC.
Effective Date
Select "Date of Filing" to make the Annual Report effective immediately.
Controlling Interest
Indicate whether your LLC owns real property or leasehold interests in Washington by selecting "Yes" or "No".
If "Yes", additional questions may appear. You might need to notify the Washington Department of Revenue.
For information on controlling interests, contact the Department of Revenue at 360-534-1503 or visit their website.
Return Address for this Filing
This section is optional. It allows you to specify an alternative address for receiving the Annual Report approval.
By default, the approved report is sent to your LLC's Registered Agent and an email is sent to the address used when creating your CCFS account.
If you prefer the approval to be mailed to a different address, enter it here. Note that this information will be part of your LLC's public filing.
Upload Additional Documents
Use this section to attach any additional documents with your Annual Report. Most filers do not include extra attachments.
Email Opt-in
The default option is to receive Annual Report reminders by mail. To switch to email reminders, check this box.
If you're unsure or prefer to receive mail reminders, leave this box unchecked. If you use a Registered Agent service, they will typically scan and email reminders to you.
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Authorized Person
The Authorized Person is the individual or entity authorized to sign the Annual Report.
Typically, LLC Members are also the Authorized Persons. If this is the case, check "I am an authorized person", select "Individual", enter your full name, and confirm that the information in the Annual Report is accurate.
Click "Continue" to proceed to the next step.
Review
On the following page, review a preview of your Annual Report. Check for any errors or typos.
If corrections are needed, click "Back". If everything is accurate, click "Add to Cart".
Shopping Cart
Select the checkbox next to your LLC Annual Report filing and click "Check Out".
On the next page, proceed to checkout by entering your name and payment information, and then click "Place Your Order".
Congratulations, your Washington LLC Annual Report has been submitted for processing!
Washington LLC Annual Report Approval
If you file online, the Annual Report will be approved immediately. You can access the approved report in your CCFS dashboard or through a business search, where you can download the PDF file from "Filing History".
If you file by mail, processing takes 10 to 12 business days, and the approved report will be sent to your LLC's Registered Agent.
We recommend storing copies of your approved Annual Reports securely.
Don't forget to set a calendar reminder or make a visible note to file your Annual Report for the following year.
Washington Secretary of State Contact Information
For any questions, contact the Washington Secretary of State at 360-725-0377.
Their office hours are Monday through Friday, from 8 AM to 5 PM Pacific Time.