Every state · WA
Forming an LLC in Washington from outside the United States.
Here's what Washington charges to form and keep a company, what it asks for every year, and what its public record shows about you. You'll also get a straight answer on whether a founder abroad should form here at all.
See why founders abroad choose Wyoming The Washington figures
01The figures
What does a Washington LLC cost to form and keep?
State fees for a domestic LLC filed online, checked against the Washington Secretary of State in September 2026.
- Filing fee
- $180
- Recurring charge
- $70 a year
- Processing
- Online filings are usually approved within a few business days
- Five-year state cost
- $460
By the last day of the month the LLC was formed in, each year starting the year after
As the state publishes it
The filing fee and every state charge due in the first five years
State income tax
Washington has no personal income tax. Its business and occupation tax is charged on gross receipts from business in Washington, before expenses rather than on profit.
The public record
The initial report, filed within 120 days of formation, and every annual report list the governors, meaning the members or managers, and they're public.
Also required
A Washington business licence from the Department of Revenue once the company does business there, such as earning $12,000 a year or hiring staff, usually $50 to apply plus any endorsements.
Checked September 2026 against the Washington Secretary of State. If a figure here has changed, email us and we'll correct it.
02The straight answer
Should a founder abroad form in Washington?
Washington has no income tax, but it taxes businesses on their gross receipts through the business and occupation tax, which is charged before expenses. Forming an LLC costs $180, the annual report is $70, and the initial and annual reports list the governors, meaning the members or managers, on the public record. A business based in Seattle deals with all of that anyway. A founder abroad doesn't have to, and Wyoming costs less and keeps your name out.
Washington is right anyway when
- You'll have staff, an office, a warehouse or property in the state
- A bank, a marketplace or a licensing body has told you the company must be formed in this state
| Washington | WyomingWe file here | DelawareWe file here | |
|---|---|---|---|
| To file | $180 | $102.40 | $110 |
| Every year | $70 a year | $60 a year | $400 a year |
| Five years | $460 | $342.40 | $1,710 |
| Owners public | Yes | No | No |
| State income tax | Washington has no personal income tax | No personal or corporate income tax | No Delaware income tax on a company that doesn't do business in Delaware |
03What we would file instead
The same company, in Wyoming.
A Wyoming LLC costs $102.40 to file, keeps owners off the public record, and is the state banks and payment processors are used to seeing from founders abroad. Here's the whole first year, from the same price list checkout uses.
| WYOMING | Starter | StandardMost chosen | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Our feeCharged once, when you confirm | $289 | $499 | $1,299 |
| Wyoming filing feePaid to the state, passed through at cost | $102.40 | $102.40 | Included |
| Due on the dayBefore any extras you choose | $391.40 | $601.40 | $1,299 |
| Then, every yearOur registered agent renewal and Wyoming's yearly charge | $179 | $309 | $1,059 |
Extras are optional and asked one at a time, each with its price. Filing yours ahead of our next batch costs $75. We email you before anything renews.
04Questions
Questions about a Washington LLC.
If yours is not here, email us at [email protected] before you order.
The business and occupation tax is Washington's tax on a business's gross receipts from activity in the state. It's charged before expenses, not on profit, and the rate depends on the type of business. A company with no business in Washington doesn't pay it.
Yes. Washington, like every state, doesn't require an LLC's owners to be US citizens or residents. It does require a registered agent with a street address in Washington. Its recurring filing is due by the last day of the month the LLC was formed in, each year starting the year after.
It costs $180 to file, and then $70 a year. Over five years that comes to $460 in state charges. A Wyoming LLC costs $342.40 over the same five years.
No. We file in Wyoming and Delaware only. For a founder outside the US, they're the two states worth being in, and we'd rather know two states well than fifty a little. If your business will have staff, an office, stock or property in Washington, it'll need to register there whichever state formed it, and we'll tell you so before you order.
05Every state
Every other state, with its figures.
Each state's filing fee and recurring charge, as published in September 2026. Washington is highlighted.
Ready when you are
Form it in the state that suits you.
Most founders abroad choose Wyoming for an LLC, or Delaware for a corporation that will raise money. The order form explains the trade-off where you choose.