Washington: Sales Tax Handbook
How to get a Washington Business License
In Washington, most businesses are required to have a sales tax permit. This means that, if you are considering opening a new business or are beginning to make sales in Washington for the first time, you will need to determine your business' permit requirements. The good news is that you can get a Washington Business License and be ready to do business 1-2 days after you submit your application. This guide will help you learn how!
Who needs a Washington Business License?
You must register your business with the Washington Department of Revenue for a sales tax permit if you engage in the sale of tangible property or taxable services. Washington defines taxable services as "services such as installation, repair, cleaning, altering, improving, construction, and decorating", as well as "improving real or personal property, amusement and recreational activities, lawn maintenance, and physical fitness activities." You must acquire a sales tax permit by the day you intend to begin making taxable sales. You may also be required to register your business with the State of Washington Business Licensing Service (BLS).
Businesses with a taxable presence within Washington are considered to have sales tax nexus within the state. For more details on what constitutes a taxable presence, see sales tax nexus in Washington.
How to get a Washington Business License:
You can file for your UBI/tax registration number and sales tax permit both online and offline with the Online Washington Business Tax Application. You will receive a temporary permit immediately as part of your Business License package, with your permanent one arriving in the mail.
Note that Washington sales tax permits do have an expiration date - it's located in the upper right hand corner of your permit. You will need to renew your permit to continue making sales, and will receive a notification from the state reminding you to renew within 45 days of your permit's expiration date.
If you have any questions about how to complete your business registration, please give the Washington Department of Revenue a call at 1-800-451-7985.
You need the following information to apply for a Washington Business License:
Business details - locations, primary business address, EIN
Sales tax types your business need to pay
Owner's basic info
Washington Business License Application Fee, Turnaround Time, and Renewal Info
Applying for a Washington Business License is free, and you will receive your permit 1-2 days after filing your application.
Application Fee: $19
Turnaround Time: 1-2 days
Permit Renewals: Expiration date provided on license
Apply For Your Washington Business License Now:
Get Your Washington Business License Online
You can easily acquire your Washington Business License online using the Business License Application website. If you have quetions about the online permit application process, you can contact the Department of Revenue via the sales tax permit hotline (800) 451-7985 or by checking the permit info website 
.
Offline Washington Business License Application Form
While generally slower than applying online, you can apply for a Washington Business License for your business offline using Form BLS-700-028, the "Business License Application".
Form BLS-700-028 can be downloaded from the Department of Revenue here .
Mail Completed Form BLS-700-028 To:
State of WashingtonBusiness Licensing Service
PO Box 9034
Olympia, WA 98507-9034
1-800-451-7985
What's Next? Now that you know how to apply for your Washington Business License, learn how to collect and remit the Washington sales tax.
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