Washington Secretary of State

How Much Does a Corporation Cost in Washington?

Forming a corporation in Washington means filing the Articles of Incorporation with the Washington Secretary of State. The calculator below separates official government fees from estimates, and fixed costs from variable ones.

Entity type

LLC Corporation

An S corporation is a federal tax election, not a state entity type — both LLCs and corporations may qualify for it.

Registered agent

Act as my own agent — $0Generally allowed if you have an in-state address and are available during business hoursHire a service — about $200/yrMarket estimate (typically $100–$300/yr), not a state fee

First-year government fees — Washington Corporation

$210

Official state fees

Articles of Incorporation filing fee$200

Initial report feeDue within 120 days of formation; commonly filed together with the formation documents$10

Ongoing fixed fees

Annual report feeDue each year by the end of the formation anniversary month, beginning the year after formation$70 / yr

≈ $70/yr annualized for comparison — actual payment schedule shown above.

Five-year outlook

Fixed government fees (5 yrs)$490

Estimated total (5 yrs)$490

Varies by business — excluded from totals

Business & occupation tax. Washington has no income tax but taxes gross receipts through the B&O tax; small businesses under the reporting thresholds may owe little or nothing.

Educational estimate based on official fee schedules verified July 12, 2026 — not legal or tax advice. Fees, rules, and processing times change; confirm with the state or a qualified professional before relying on them.

The numbers behind this page

Every figure comes from the typed data record for Washington, verified July 12, 2026 against the sources listed at the bottom of this page.

Formation fees — Washington Corporation
Fee	Amount	Schedule	Type
Articles of Incorporation filing fee Online fee (includes expedited handling); paper filings cost $180 but take much longer.	$200	One-time	Official state fee
Initial report fee	$10	One-timeDue within 120 days of formation; commonly filed together with the formation documents	Official state fee

† Partially verified — corroborated but not confirmed on a machine-readable official page.

Recurring & conditional obligations — Washington Corporation
Fee	Amount	Schedule	Type
Annual report fee	$70	AnnualDue each year by the end of the formation anniversary month, beginning the year after formation	Official state fee
Business & occupation tax Washington has no income tax but taxes gross receipts through the B&O tax; small businesses under the reporting thresholds may owe little or nothing.	Varies	Conditional	Official state fee

† Partially verified — corroborated but not confirmed on a machine-readable official page.

Filing process & processing times

File online through the Corporations and Charities Filing System (CCFS) or by mail.

Processing options for Washington Corporation filings
Option	Typical turnaround	Added fee	Notes
Standard processing	0–2 business days	None	Online CCFS filings are processed within about two business days; paper takes weeks

Processing times are estimates based on currently available official guidance and change with filing volume — they are not guaranteed.

Registered agent costs

Every Washington Corporationmust continuously maintain a registered agent with a physical in-state address. Acting as your own agent costs $0 where you meet the state's eligibility rules; commercial services typically run $100–$300 per year. The calculator uses $200 — the midpoint of that range — when you choose a hired service.

Midpoint of the typical advertised price range for national commercial registered-agent services as of July 2026 (e.g. Northwest Registered Agent $125/yr, ZenBusiness $199/yr, LegalZoom $249/yr). Budget providers advertise below this range and premium corporate-service firms above it. Serving as your own agent costs $0 where you meet state eligibility rules.

Worth knowing about Washington

Washington has no personal or corporate income tax, but its business & occupation tax on gross receipts can apply even to unprofitable businesses.
Most Washington businesses also need a state business license through the Department of Revenue ($90 initial), which is separate from the Secretary of State filings shown here.

Washington Corporation cost FAQs

How much does it cost to start a corporation in Washington?

The Washington Secretary of State charges $210 to file the Articles of Incorporation. That figure excludes optional services and any variable taxes, which depend on your circumstances.

What are the ongoing costs of a corporation in Washington?

Washington corporations generally must pay the annual report fee of $70 per year (due each year by the end of the formation anniversary month, beginning the year after formation). In addition, business & occupation tax may apply depending on your revenue, assets, or activity — these are variable, so they aren't included in fixed totals.

How long does it take to form a corporation in Washington?

Online filings are often processed the same day. Washington does not currently offer a paid expedited tier for this filing. Processing times change with filing volume, so confirm current turnaround with the state before relying on a date.

Do I need a registered agent for a corporation in Washington?

Yes. Every Washington corporation must continuously maintain a registered agent with a physical address in the state to receive legal and official mail. You can generally act as your own agent at no cost if you meet the state's eligibility rules, or hire a commercial service — typically $100–$300 per year. Whether serving as your own agent is practical depends on your circumstances, including privacy and availability during business hours.

How does the Washington business & occupation tax work for corporations?

Washington has no income tax but taxes gross receipts through the B&O tax; small businesses under the reporting thresholds may owe little or nothing. Because the amount depends on factors like revenue or assets, it is shown separately and never folded into the fixed totals above. Consult a qualified tax professional about how it may apply to you.

What this page doesn't cover

Federal, state, and local taxes beyond the fixed fees shown — income-dependent taxes are listed as variable obligations and never included in exact totals.
Business licenses, local permits, industry-specific registrations, and DBA filings.
Attorney, accountant, or filing-service fees beyond the labeled registered-agent estimate.
Whether a corporation — or Washington — is the right choice for your situation. FormedIn provides general educational information, not legal, tax, accounting, or financial advice, and nothing here recommends an entity type or formation state for any specific person.

Fees, rules, deadlines, and processing times change. Confirm current requirements with the Washington Secretary of State and consult a qualified attorney, CPA, or tax professional about your specific circumstances.

Sources

Washington data last verified July 12, 2026.

Corporations & Charities Division — Fees— Washington Secretary of StateOfficialaccessed July 12, 2026
Business & Occupation Tax— Washington Department of RevenueOfficialaccessed July 12, 2026
How Much Does a Registered Agent Cost? 2026 Guide— RegisteredAgentCost.comaccessed July 12, 2026
How Much Does a Registered Agent Cost?— ZenBusinessaccessed July 12, 2026