You're in Business
Congratulations! By all means celebrate your new business, but don't forget your ongoing business obligations: filing reports, paying taxes and renewing licenses and permits. And be prepared for announced or unannounced inspections by some public health and safety agencies. Use the following lists to keep track of what to expect.
Ongoing Reporting, Filing, and Inspections
Reports on Employees
| Topic | Contact | Reports & Payments |
|---|---|---|
| State Unemployment Insurance | Washington State Employment Security Dept. | Quarterly |
| State Workers' Compensation Insurance | Washington State Dept. of Labor and Industries | Quarterly |
| State New Hire Reporting Program | Washington State Dept. of Social and Health Services | Within 20 days of hire |
| Federal Income Tax, Social Security & Medicare (Form 941) | Internal Revenue Service | Report quarterly with monthly or semi-weekly payments |
| Federal Unemployment (Form 940) | Internal Revenue Service | Report annually with quarterly payments |
| Federal Income Tax (W-2/W-3) | Social Security Administration | Annually |
Business Taxes
| Topic | Contact | Reports & Payments |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle B&O | Seattle Dept. of Finance and Administrative Services | Agency determination |
| Seattle Regulatory Taxes | Other Seattle Taxes | Agency determination |
| King Co. Property Tax | King County Treasury | Semiannually |
| King Co. Personal Property Tax | King County Treasury | Semiannually |
| State B&O Tax | Washington State Dept. of Revenue | Agency determination |
| State Retail Sales Tax | Washington State Dept. of Revenue | Agency determination |
| State Use Tax | Washington State Dept. of Revenue | Agency determination |
| Federal Business Income Taxes | Internal Revenue Service | Agency determination |
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GET EXPERT ADVICENeed an overview of state business taxes? Check out the New Business Tax Basics Guide. |
License and Permit Renewals
| Topic | Contact | Reports & Payments | Inspections |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corporation and Limited Liability Corporations Annual Reports | Business Licensing Service of Washington State | Annually | |
| State Business License(s) and select localities | Business Licensing Service of Washington State | Annually | |
| Seattle Business License | Seattle Dept. of Finance and Administrative Services | Annually | |
| Seattle Street Use Permits | Seattle Dept. of Transportation | Annually | |
| Seattle Assembly Permit | Seattle Fire Department | Annually | |
| Fire Protection Confidence Testing | Seattle Fire Department | Semiannually and every 5 years | |
| Health Dept. Food Service Business Permit | Public Health-Seattle & King County | Annually | Unannounced inspections |
| State Liquor License | Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board | Annually | New license technical support visit; annual inspection; compliance visits at any time |
| L&I Safety and Health | Washington State Dept. of Labor and Industries | Possible inspection at any time |
Small Business Support
Check out the additional resources our Small Business Development team can connect you with - see our Business Owners page.