Washington Annual Report (May. 2026) – Free Guide For LLCs

Most Washington businesses must file an Annual Report each year to confirm their current business information. This ensures that they stay in good standing with the state and maintain compliance. This applies to all corporations, nonprofits, LLCs, PLLCs, LPs, LLPs, and LLLPs.

Failing to file your Annual Report may lead to state penalties or even risk your LLC being shut down. Therefore, you must file on time to avoid potential issues and keep everything running smoothly.

This comprehensive filing guide details everything you’ll need to include in your Washington Annual Report to ensure a smooth filing process. This includes the type of businesses that need to file one, filing fees, and important due dates.

An Overview Of The Washington State Annual Report

Your Annual Report contains key business details, including your addresses, Registered Agent, management structure, and current members. Filing this annually allows the state to keep up-to-date records on state businesses and send correspondence when needed.

All domestic and foreign businesses that operate in Washington are required to file an annual report each year. This keeps your UBI active and ensures you remain in good standing with the state.

You can read more about the state requirements here: Washington RCWs, Title 23, Chapter 23.95, Section 23.95.255.

1. Which Businesses Need To File An Annual Report In Washington?

Most business types operating in Washington are required to submit an Annual Report to maintain good standing with the state. This applies to:

• Corporations.
• Nonprofit’s.
• LLCs.
• PLLCs.
• LPs.
• LLPs.
• LLLPs.

Note: Domestic and foreign entities within Washington have the same filing requirements. If you’re unsure if you need to file one, you should check with the state before your due date just to be sure.

2. Why Filing A Washington Annual Report Is Required

Your Washington State LLC Annual Report maintains accurate business information for all businesses associated and located in Washington. The Secretary of State requires one for all applicable businesses for transparency and compliance. In summary, it ensures that:

• Your state records are current and correct (Personal addresses, registered agent, office address, leadership structure).
• You maintain transparency for the Washington public, investors, and stakeholders.
• You confirm that your business remains active in the state of Washington.

Will I have to pay a Franchise Tax along with the Annual Report? Washington does not impose a corporate or LLC Franchise Tax.

Washington Annual Report Due Dates & Fees

The cost of submitting your Washington Annual Report is $70 per year. This is due every year by the end of your anniversary month.

Example: Your Washington LLC was approved on July 15, 2025.

In this case, your Annual Report would be due by July 31, 2026, and then on or before the same date every year after (As long as your business is still operating).

It’s important to remember that this anniversary month deadline applies to your Annual Report, not your Initial Report (Your first report once your business is formed). This is due within 120 days of your formation/approval date.

Your Initial Report can easily be confused with your Annual Report, with some businesses mistakenly calling it the “First” Annual Report. However, it’s important to note that these are two different things, and both are equally important.

Tip: Your anniversary month is the month that your LLC was initially approved. You can find your anniversary date in the upper right corner of your stamped Certificate of Formation. Alternatively, you can search for your LLC name using the state’s advanced business search. The “Formation/Registration” date is your business’s anniversary date.

Due Date Notice

The state of Washington will mail a courtesy reminder to your Registered Agent 45 days before your due date. If this is you, it should be in your recorded email. If you’ve chosen a third-party Registered Agent, they’ll contact you once they’ve received the notice to keep you up to date.

You must file your Washington LLC Annual Report on time, even if you don’t receive a reminder from the state. If you don’t file on time, you risk facing certain penalties or possibly even getting your LLC shut down by the state.

If you don’t file on time, you risk facing certain penalties or possibly even getting your LLC shut down by the state.

We’ve explained this in more detail in our article discussing Washington Registered Agents.

Penalties

Failing to make your Annual Report deadline is one of the main reasons why Washington LLCs become dissolved. You need to file on time every year, or you’ll risk facing several consequences set by the state. These get worse the longer you wait, meaning you should complete your Annual Report ASAP.

This is what might happen if you don’t file your LLC Annual Report in Washington State:

• You need to pay a $25 late fee if you miss your Annual Report deadline.
• The Secretary of State will dissolve or revoke your business if your report is 120 days late.
• You’ll need to pay a $180 reinstatement fee plus any outstanding fees and penalties incurred since becoming dissolved.
• Your business loses good standing with the state and cannot operate, contract, or secure financing when under dissolution.

Alongside these, you may face several financial and non-compliance issues:

• You risk losing your business name due to non-compliance. Your business name is no longer protected, meaning other businesses may apply for it.
• You risk your personal liability as an owner or manager if the business becomes dissolved.
• Future state filings become more difficult if you have a history of non-compliance.

Your Washington Annual Report Filing Options

You can file your Annual Report online (The state’s preferred option) or by mail.

1. Online filing: Easy process, preferred by the state, and approved instantly (My recommended option).
2. Mail filing: Takes 10–12 business days, not including the postage time.

Both methods cost a flat $70 filing fee, made payable to the state.

How To Complete The Washington LLC Annual Report By Mail

To file your Washington Annual Report by mail, you need to download and complete the official Annual Report form. This can be found on the Washington Secretary of State’s website.

Once completed, mail your Annual Report form and payment to the address below:

SECRETARY OF STATE – CORPORATIONS & CHARITIES DIVISION
P.O. box 40234
Olympia, WA 98504-0234

Your Annual Report filing fee is the same whether you choose to file by mail or online. It costs $70 for your application to be processed + your chosen mailing service.

This must be paid by check or money order and made payable to the Washington Secretary of State.

Note: Do not send a cash payment. If you do, your report will be rejected and not processed.

These are the main steps you must complete when filing your Washington Annual Report by mail. I’ve discussed each one in more detail below:

1. Complete The Business Information And Registered Agent Sections

First, provide your entity type. This can be done by checking the applicable box at the top of your Washington LLC Annual Report form. Choose the box labeled “All other entity types $70” to state that you’re a Limited Liability Company (LLC).

Underneath this section, you’ll be asked to fill in your business name and Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number.

Here’s what to do:

• Business name: Enter your LLC name exactly as it appears on your Certificate of Formation. This is the form that you filed with the Washington Secretary of State to officially form your LLC. If your records don’t match, your application may be delayed or rejected.
• Unified Business Identifier Number (UBI): In the right section, you’ll be asked to provide your UBI. This is the number assigned by the Secretary of State when your LLC was registered. This links your business to Washington State agencies. If it’s incorrect, your application will be rejected.

Follow these sections, and you’ll be asked the question: “Has your Registered Agent or their contact details changed?”

• Select “No” if your Registered Agent and their contract information are the same.
• Select “Yes” if you need to update your Registered Agent’s name and/or address. Further instructions are on page 2 of your Annual Report form. I’ve discussed this in more detail below.

Note: All Washington LLCs must appoint and maintain a Registered Agent with a physical Washington street address. This can be yourself, your friend, a family member, or a commercial third-party Registered Agent service. If you’re using an individual, you’ll need them to consent to receiving legal documents and state notices on behalf of your LLC.

2. Fill in The Principal Office And Contact Information Sections

The next section requires you to fill out your LLC’s principal office address. This is the main location where your primary business records are kept, and your main business operations take place.

This address is your LLC’s official headquarters. It should be the place where non-legal business correspondence is directed.

1. Enter your physical business address in the “Street address” section. You cannot use a P.O. box or a Private Mailbox (PMB).
2. Check the box named “Check if mailing address is the same as street address” if your mailing address is the same as your street address.
3. Complete the separate mailing address fields if your mailing address differs. State your city, state, county, and zip code (If applicable).
4. Provide a valid email address. The Secretary of State will use this to send important notifications regarding renewal reminders and your business status.

Note: Providing your phone number is optional. I recommend that you fill this section so that the state can contact you quickly with questions or form corrections (If needed).

3. Complete The Governors And Nature Of Business Sections

In the next part of the form, you’ll need to provide your Governor(s) names. These are the individuals responsible for managing your LLC and making decisions on your behalf. State the full legal names of all current members or managers overseeing your LLC operations.

Note: Your LLC can be governed by LLC members (Member-managed) or LLC managers (Manager-managed). You’ll choose your business structure when forming your LLC.

Only designated representatives or individuals can be listed as a Governor. A business entity CANNOT serve as its own Governor.

Directly underneath is the “Nature of business” section. This requires you to briefly describe the primary business activities that your Washington LLC performs. This information helps the state to categorize your business accordingly.

Make sure you give a clear and concise summary of your company operations.

Example: You can use “residential property management,” “marketing consulting,” or “retail sales of handmade goods” to give a clear but concise overview.

4. State Your Controlling Interest

The next section of the form asks you to state your controlling interest. Under RCW 82.45.220, this helps the Washington Department of Revenue determine if your LLC has undergone any significant changes in real estate interests or ownership that require additional tax reporting.

Answer each question below according to my guidelines:

Note: Make sure that your answers are as accurate as possible. This ensures that you comply with Washington’s Real Estate Excise Tax (REET) reporting laws.

Contact the Department of Revenue – Real Estate Excise Tax for more information on your LLC’s controlling interest.

5. Provide Your Authorized Person

The last part of Page 1 asks you to provide details of your “Authorized person.” This is an LLC member or manager who has reviewed the stated information. Following this, they need to provide their signature, printed name, the current date, and their email. The phone number section is optional and doesn’t need to be completed.

I’ve discussed why each section is needed below:

• Signature of authorized person: This certifies the accuracy of the form under penalty of law.
• Printed name/Title: State your full legal name and official business title (e.g., Member, Manager, Owner).
• Date: The date you reviewed and signed the Annual Report.
• Phone (Optional): Your contact phone number for recordkeeping.
• Email: Your email address for official state correspondence or questions regarding the form.

Note: The signature in this section finalizes your Annual Report. It confirms that all information entered is true and accurate according to Washington State law.

6. State Your Registered Agent Changes (Page 2)

This section is only relevant if you answered “Yes” to the question on Page 1 asking “Has your registered agent or their contact details changed?”

Appointing and maintaining an official Registered Agent is a mandatory requirement when operating a Washington LLC under RCW 23.95.415.

Note: Your Registered Agent must have a physical Washington street address to qualify.

You can choose between two types of Registered Agent, each offering several pros and cons. Read the information below carefully before completing the correct section according to your designated Registered Agent.

How To Complete Your Washington LLC Annual Report Online

I found the filing process to be quite self-explanatory once I navigated to the right page. This is the process I recommend that you use:

1. Create an online account with the Corporations & Charities Filing System (CCFS).
2. Find your LLC and check your current business information.
3. Edit your Registered Agent information if needed.
4. Review and update your primary office address.
5. Select your business type and effective filing date.
6. State your controlling interest.
7. Add your return filing address.
8. Upload additional documents.
9. Confirm that you’re the authorized person filing.
10. Review and pay.

Use the CCFS link to create an account with the Corporations & Charities Filing System (CCFS). Navigate to “Business maintenance filings” and click “Annual Report.”

Search your LLC using your official business name or UBI number, select your LLC, and click “Continue.”

Note: Most of the required information should be auto-filled from when you filed your Certificate of Formation. Make sure that you check your information, update it if needed, and complete any outstanding sections.

Once you’ve selected your LLC, you’ll see a step-by-step guide on the system page. Follow the instructions carefully, using my bullet points as a general guide.

1. Business Information

Most of your required business information should already be autofilled. This will be the same information that was stated on your Certificate of Formation.

Once you’ve selected your LLC, the first page displays your main business information. Check each part carefully, making necessary changes if any of the information is out of date.

2. Registered Agent

Check that the Registered Agent on file is the same as the current one you’re using. Edit your information using the pencil icon if needed. You’ll need to delete the existing Registered Agent first if you want to add a new one.

3. Principal Office

Your principal office Address is the headquarters of your LLC business, where the main operations are conducted. This is also the place where the non-legal mail should be handled.

Check your principal office address and update it if needed. You’re required to enter a current email address, while adding a phone number is optional.

Note: You should only tick the “Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) box” if you’re already enrolled in the program.

4. Governors

Your Governors are the LLC members or managers who can direct the LLC’s activities and make decisions on its behalf. They’ll act as an LLC member or manager, depending on your structure.

Your existing Governor information should already be on file. Edit or delete the necessary information using the appropriate icons or add a governor using the “Add governor” button.

You can find more information in RCW 23.95.105, section 12.

5. Nature Of Business

Next, you need to select your “Nature of business.” This refers to the specific products, activities, or services that you conduct. For example, you might be a real estate, bookstore, or e-commerce company.

Select “Business type(s) for LLC” if this section is blank; then choose your business type. If your business type isn’t on the drop-down menu, select “Other” and manually enter your LLC’s business activities.

6. Return Address For This Filing

You’ll be given the option to add or edit your return address. This section is optional, meaning that you can use it if you want your Annual Report approval to be mailed somewhere else than the address stated as the default option.

By default, the approved copy will be mailed to your Registered Agent’s address. You’ll also get your approval document mailed to the email account stated on the Corporations & Charities Filing System (CCFS).

Note: While you can enter a different mailing address, remember that this information becomes public on the state website. Therefore, most LLLs use the default address and leave this section blank.

7. Upload Additional Documents

You will have the option to upload any additional documents. In most cases, this is an unnecessary step, so most LLCs will choose to click “No”.

8. Effective Date

Choose “Date of filing” for immediate effectiveness.

9. Controlling Interest

Once you’ve chosen your effective date, you must state your controlling interest. To do this, you’ll be asked the following question:

“Does your company own real property (Including leasehold interests) in Washington?”

• Select “Yes” or “No” for LLC real estate ownership.
• If you select “Yes,” you’ll be asked additional questions in the section below. You’ll also need to notify the Washington Department of Revenue.

If you’re looking for more information on this section of the application, you can call 360-534-1503 or visit the Department of Revenue site.

10. Email Opt-in

Your annual report reminders are mailed to your Registered Agent by default. This last section gives you the option to receive your reminders by email only. This works like “Paperless bank statements.” You can either check the box or leave it unchecked and choose it for future Annual Report filings.

Tip: Leave this box unchecked if you’re not comfortable with using technology. This ensures that your reminder comes to your Registered Agent and you don’t run into potential future problems. If you’re using a third-party as your registered agent, this means that they’ll get the reminder and likely email it to you anyway.

11. Authorized Person

Your “Authorized Person” is the individual or company that’s authorized to sign your LLC Annual Report. In most cases, you, as the filer, will be a business member and an authorized person.

1. Check the “I am an authorized person” box, then select “Individual” and enter your name.
2. Confirm that the information entered is true and correct.
3. Click “Continue” to proceed to the next step.

12. Review

This section should be fairly straightforward if you’ve followed each of the previous steps. Go through your Annual Report and carefully check for any errors or typos. Click “Back” to make any necessary changes.

Once you’ve checked that all the information entered is correct, click “Add to cart” to continue to the payment process.

13. Payment

With all your business information entered and checked, all that’s left to do is to make your payment and await approval.

1. Select the “Annual Report” checkbox and click “Check out.”
2. Click “Proceed to checkout.”
3. Enter your name and payment information.
4. Click “Place your order.”

All that’s left to do now is await your approval. Your annual report has been successfully filed.

Washington LLC Annual Report Approval

Once filed, your Annual Report will be approved based on your chosen filing method. This means that you can expect different approval periods depending on whether you used an online or mail filing process.

1. Online Filing

If you filed online, you should get instant approval once you’ve made the payment. Your approval will be sent as a stamped and approved copy from the state. You can find it by checking your CCFS dashboard or performing a business search.

1. Click your LLC name.
2. Scroll down to “Filing history” at the bottom of the page.
3. Look for “Annual Report.”
4. Click “View documents.”
5. Use the small icon next to “Annual Report – Fulfilled” to download a PDF copy.

2. Mail Filing

If you’ve filed by mail, your Annual Report should be processed in approximately 10–12 days (Not including the mailing time). Your approval will be mailed to your Registered Agent.

Once your report has been processed, you should be able to download it by performing a business search.

Washington Secretary Of State Contact Info

You can contact the Washington Secretary of State at 360-725-0377 if you have any questions related to your LLC’s Annual Report. Their business hours are 8 A.M. – 5 P.M. (Monday to Friday).

Frequently Asked Questions