Starting a business in Washington is an exciting venture, but it’s crucial to understand the legal requirements that come with it. A common area of confusion for many new business owners is understanding the need for a Business License, also known as a sales tax permit or seller’s permit. This permit allows you to collect sales tax on taxable products and services from customers in Washington.
This blog will guide you through each step of applying for a sales tax permit, with clear instructions to help you and your business begin collecting sales tax effortlessly.
Related Topics:
Who Needs a Seller’s Permit in Washington?
A business must register for a sales tax permit in Washington if:
How to Register for a Seller’s Permit in Washington?
When applying for a Business License, you can use the online application process on the Washington State Department of Revenue website to complete your sales tax registration.
1. Where can you Apply for a Seller’s Permit in Washington?
The first step to register for a sales tax permit online is to go to the login page of the Washington Department of Revenue website and click on “Sign Up”
During your registration process, you will start by creating an online login account with the Washington State website. After creating your online user profile, you will receive an email to confirm your account information.
Once your online user profile is all set, you will need to log in to the Washington Department of Revenue.
Click on “Apply for a New Business License” found in the “Business Licensing” section. You will then follow through the prompts that walk you through your registration process and provide the necessary information.
In the “Select a Business” section, select “Start a business in WA State.”
In the “Enter UBI” section, select “Outside Washington State” and select “No” to answer the question “Does this business have a UBI?”
2. What Information Do You Need to Get a Seller’s Permit in Washington?
To successfully acquire a seller’s permit in Washington, it’s important to prepare and provide specific information and documents. The following is a list of the necessary information and documents required to register a sales tax permit in Washington:
- Business Identification Information: Legal Business Name, Physical Address, Mailing Address
- Business Entity Structure (i.e., Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, Subchapter S Corp., Corporation, LLC, etc.)
- Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN or FEIN)
- Name, Address, and SSN of Owners, Partners, or Officers
- Business Activity Details: Date & State of Incorporation, Start Date with the Washington (Nexus Start Date), Estimated Gross Annual Income in Washington
- NAICS Code
3. How Much are the Fees for Applying for and Renewing a Seller’s Permit in Washington?
Registering for a sales tax permit in Washington is free. However, other fees may be applicable depending on the endorsement type that your Business License needs.
Washington sales tax permit must be renewed annually for $5. Before your permit expires, you will receive a renewal notice.
Once you request a sales tax permit renewal, you may check the status of your application by logging in to your online user profile at
Washington’s Department of Revenue official website.
Please be advised that failure to renew your Washington Business License will result in penalties.
4. What Are Other Ways To Register For A Seller’s Permit In Washington?
- Use TaxHero. Registering for a seller’s permit, mainly when it involves multiple permits, can be a tedious and time-consuming task requiring much effort. Let the experts at TaxHero save you from this hassle, and let us handle the registration process in all states where you have nexus as part of our all-inclusive sales tax service.
- Paper Application: You will need to fill out Form BLS 700 028, attach the necessary documents, and send it via mail to the address provided in the form.
What’s Next?
After your online submission, you should receive a Unified Business Identifier (UBI), your seller’s permit with the specific sales tax account number, and other information about handling sales tax within ten business days.
You will also receive your welcome registration letter and your administrator letter.
Paper applications can take up to six weeks to process.
Afterward, you can log in to your SAW account using the user login and password you inputted during registration.
Upon logging in to your account, make sure you select “Access Your Account Using a Letter ID” found in the “Business Licensing” section. Enter the letter ID and UBI (Unique Benefit Identifier) number from the welcome letter you received from the state of Washington.
Obtaining a Sales Tax Permit in Washington requires you to collect sales tax for eligible sales in Washington.
Remember that if your business has a physical location in Washington, the Seller’s Permit must be visibly displayed at all times at the place for which the certificate is issued.
If you ever encounter any difficulties, have any questions, or prefer TaxHero to manage these tasks on your behalf, don’t hesitate to reach out! Contact us today.
Related
