Information on the 50 States and the District of columbia

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Incorporating in Washington

Corporate Name Requirements

* The corporate name must include the word “corporation,” “incorporated,” “company,” or “limited,” or abbreviation “corp.,” “inc.,” “co.,” “ltd.” The name must not imply a purpose other than the purpose stated in charter. The name must be distinguishable from the name of any other domestic corporation or of any foreign corporation authorized to do business in state. Name must not include certain enumerated words indicating that it is bank or savings and loan or any other words or phrases prohibited by any state statute.

Articles of Incorporation Requirements

Director Information

  • Minimum Number – One or more.
  • Residence Requirements. – No provision.
  • Age Requirements – None.
  • Directors are not required to be listed in the articles of incorporation.

Officer Information

  • The officers are not required to be listed in the articles of incorporation.

Stock Information

  • No extra filing fees based on number of share or amount of par value.

Yearly Requirements

Annual Statements

  • File statement with Secretary of State on or before expiration of the corporation’s corporate license, or not less than 30 days or more than 90 days prior to the expiration date of any staggered yearly license. Secretary of State mails notice to each domestic corporation that its annual license fee must be paid. Annual license fee is $50 ($10 for inactive corporations), payable to the Secretary of State.

Income Tax Rate

  • Washington State does not have a corporate or personal income tax. However, Washington businesses generally are subject to the following:

For more information on taxes, visit Washington Department of Revenue

 

C-Corporation

  • Shareholders have limited liability protection
  • May be listed and traded as a publiccorporation on the stock market or “over the counter”
  • Has a separate and independent tax status from its owners
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S Corporation

  • Profits are not subject to “double taxation”
  • Corporate losses may be “passed through” to share holders
  • Shareholders are afforded the same protection as C Corp.
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LLC formation

  • Contains characteristics of both corporation and partnership
  • Shareholders may take advantage of “Pass-Through” taxation
  • Limited liability for share holders
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Not for profit corp

  • Eligible for tax-exempt status
  • Limited Liability protection
  • Qualify for public and private gains
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