The cost to form an LLC for a Seattle business starts with the $200 Washington filing fee. Add annual fees, a registered agent, and local Seattle business taxes below.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
Washington charges a $200 filing fee to form an LLC and a $71 annual report each year. Washington has no income tax but imposes a 7% capital gains tax on gains above $270,000. The state has a Business & Occupation (B&O) tax on gross receipts. Combined state and local sales tax can exceed 10% in some areas.
| Cost Item | Amount | When Due |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Filing Fee | $200 | One-time at formation |
| Annual report | $71 | Annually |
| Registered Agent Service | $49 to $300/year | Annually |
| Local Seattle Business License / Tax | $100/year (est.) | Annually |
| Operating Agreement | $0 to $500 | One-time (recommended) |
| EIN (Federal Tax ID) | Free | One-time (IRS.gov) |
Washington has no corporate income tax but levies a Business & Occupation (B&O) tax on gross receipts, and Seattle adds its own city B&O tax and business license. Budget for the state and city B&O taxes and the Washington LLC fees on top of the state filing fee.
Seattle is the largest city in the Pacific Northwest, home to Amazon and Microsoft (nearby), a major cloud-computing and technology cluster, aerospace ties to Boeing, the Port of Seattle, global health philanthropy, and a strong coffee and retail heritage.
| Local Metric | Seattle (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 750,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | King County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 151 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $27.00/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $52.00/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $20.29/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $2,200/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $2,900/month |
| Median home price | $850,000 |
| Median household income | $116,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 10.35% |
| Effective property tax rate | 0.92% of value/year |
Local figures are 2026 estimates compiled from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, the C2ER Cost of Living Index, U.S. Census and Zillow housing data, and city and county sources. Verify current figures before relying on them.
The LLC filing fee is set by Washington at $200, since LLCs are formed at the state level. Add the $71 annual report (each year), a registered agent (about $49 to $300/year), and any local Seattle business license or tax. Washington has no corporate income tax but levies a Business & Occupation (B&O) tax on gross receipts, and Seattle adds its own city B&O tax and business license. Budget for the state and city B&O taxes and the Washington LLC fees on top of the state filing fee.
Washington has no corporate income tax but levies a Business & Occupation (B&O) tax on gross receipts, and Seattle adds its own city B&O tax and business license. Budget for the state and city B&O taxes and the Washington LLC fees on top of the state filing fee.
Plan for the $71 annual report, registered agent renewal (about $49/year), and any local Seattle business license or tax. The calculator above totals these for you.
LLCs are registered with the Washington State Department of Revenue at the state level, not the city. You then comply with local Seattle requirements such as a business license, zoning, and any city business tax. There is no separate city-level LLC filing.
If your business actually operates in Seattle, forming in Washington is usually simplest. Forming in Delaware or Wyoming while operating in Seattle typically forces you to register as a foreign LLC in Washington anyway, paying fees in both states.