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The objective of the annual report is three-fold. The annual report keeps the Government informed about all the updates, communicates about all the modifications or changes, & keeps the LLC members informed about the necessary taxes and costs. This article has all the information about Washington LLC annual report filing in Washington.
An annual report can be called an address book, as it features all the relevant addresses of the company & the members. This yearly report is a record of all the company’s activities in an entire year. It is also referred to as the Annual Franchise Tax Report because it helps in filing the franchise tax.
On this page, you’ll learn about the following:
Contents of the Annual Report
Typically the annual report filed by a Washington State LLC (or any other business entity for that matter) will include all the information related to its business & members. The standard contents of the annual report or the annual franchise tax report are
- Office Address of the LLC
- Names & Addresses of the Members & managers.
- Identification Documents
- Social Security numbers of the key members of LLC
- The objective of the business of LLC
- List of all the signatories of the LLC
- Information of the registered agent, if any
Washington LLC Annual Report
An Annual report is essential for all business types. It authenticates that the information provided to the Secretary Of the State is accurate & updated. The information provided in the annual report helps the State officials to ensure that all the companies pay taxes. The Washington Annual Report is filed with the Washington Secretary of State.
Does the State of Washington Require an Annual Report Filing?
Every Business Entity in Washington must file an Annual Certificate or Annual Report. This includes all the legal entities such as C Corporations, Limited Partnerships, Limited Liability Companies, bound to file the Annual Report.
Annual Report Deadline
As mentioned above, filing the Annual report is a mandatory requirement even for an LLC. An LLC operating in Washington has to file the Annual report every year with the Washington Secretary of State by the end of the Business’s Anniversary month.
Penalties for Non-filing or late filing
An Annual Report is one of the important documents filed by an LLC. Any Annual Report filed after the deadline will lead to a $25 late fee & the LLC losing its good standing status. Further failure to file the annual report will cause the dissolution of the LLC.
Why Do LLCs Have to File the Annual Report?
Some of the states are not required to file this yearly report, commonly known as the Annual Report. However, there are some reasons why states should file an LLC Annual Report. Here are some reasons,
To Maintain the Accuracy of the Information
An annual report filed by the LLC has all the updated information about its official addresses & the names or addresses of all its officials. This updated information allows the State authorities to track down any LLC when communicating.
To Provide the Correct Correspondence
Many times, any creditor or other entity willing to transact with the LLC requires the correct correspondence address. If this information (which can only be modified with the help of an annual report) is not updated every year, such entities will not be able to communicate with them.
To Notify the Government About All the Significant Changes
If you have changed your main business address or had new business appointments of managers or members, the annual public information report notifies the State Government Entities about it. So, the next time someone questions a newer reform that you have introduced in your LLC, you will be saved because you had submitted the information with the Government.
To Provide an Activity Log of an LLC
The Annual Report is like an activity log of the LLC. It brings on record; all the transactions, new associations, appointments, etc. & keeps those records intact for all future references.
To Help You With the One-time Filing of Taxes
The annual report is an excellent means to keep you on your toes in case of your dues payment. Every LLC must pay the taxes through the annual report filing. By filing the report on time, the LLC can manage the exemptions & can avoid penalties imposed by the Government.
To Enable the State to Track the Payments
The government authorities use all the information filed through the annual report, for tracking the payment of State Taxes.
How to File a Washington LLC Annual Report
You can file the Washington LLC Annual Report online or file it by mail. An LLC operating in Washington has to file the Annual report every year with the Washington Secretary of State by the end of the Business’s Anniversary month.
Steps to File Washington LLC Annual Report Online
Time needed: 5 minutes
Below is the procedure to file the Washington LLC Annual Report online.
- Visit Washington Secretary of State Website’s Annual Reports Page.
Your first step in filing the Washington Annual Report is to visit the Washington Secretary of State website’s Annual Reports Page.
- Select the File online link.
Select the FIle Online link under the Profit Corporations, LLCs, Limited Partnerships Annual Report option.
- Log in or create an account.
On the next page, log in or create an account. Start filing the report online.
- File Express Annual Report.
You can file an Express Annual report (with or without changes) without the login. Just scroll down & choose either of the options.
Filing Washington LLC Annual Report By Mail
To file the Annual Report in Washington by mail, follow the below steps
- Visit the Washington Secretary of State website’s Annual Reports Page
- Select the “Paper Annual Report” option
- A form will open on the next tab
- Download the Form
- Fill the form with correct information
- Send the printed copies of the forms and relevant documents to the address: Secretary of State, P.O. Box 40234, Olympia, WA 98504-0234
Washington LLC Annual Report (Domestic & Foreign)
| State Office: | Secretary of State, P.O. Box 40234, Olympia, WA 98504-0234 Links to Website, Form |
| Due Date: | An LLC operating in Washington has to file the Annual report every year with the Washington Secretary of State by the end of the Business’s Anniversary month. |
| Filing Fee: | The Annual Report filing fee is $60. |
| Penalty: | Any Annual Report filed after the deadline will lead to a $25 late fee & the LLC losing its good standing status. Further failure to file the annual report will cause the dissolution of the LLC. |
| Filing Method: | An LLC can file the Annual Report Online or by mail. |
| Forms: | Form |
| Important Information: | Once a Domestic or Foreign Washington Limited Liability Company submits the Annual Report along with the prescribed fees to the Washington Secretary of State, the filing is said to be complete. |
Seek the Help of a Registered Agent
Every State will have a different rule for filing the Annual Report. Usually, it is submitted every year, but it is submitted once in two years in some states. Some states require the filing of the report only once in ten years.
Not only the timing, the mode of filing, the proper addresses, exemptions, legality, annual report compliance, etc., have to be taken care of while paying the taxes or filing any reports with the State authorities. In many such scenarios, it is advised that an LLC appoints a Registered Agent to manage all this. Check out the best LLC service that offers all the services at an affordable price. An experienced agent is required for:
- Streamlining the mandatory processes & filing.
- Sending or receiving any documents.
- Reminding you about important dates of filing or payment of taxes.
- Simplifying the filing procedures.
- Avoid any penalties.
- Flexibility in working.
- Maintaining Privacy (as it keeps your personal records off the public record)
You can read more about a Washington Registered Agent here.
FAQs
Yes, an annual report is essential for every business entity in most states. Some states also ask to file biennial or decennial reports to be filed.
A Yearly Business Report or the annual report typically incorporates the address of the business, names & addresses of the members, a list of all the signatories, SSN of the members, & details of the registered agent.
A Registered Agent is well-aware of all the filing requirements, annual report filing fee, & overall Annual Report compliance. The knowledge & proficiency of the registered agent allows the smooth filing of reports & other fees.
The most important thing for filing an Annual Report is record keeping. Make sure that you document every other transaction well.
Yes, the fees may vary depending on the type of entity or the type of legal entity you are representing.
How Fast Can I Fill Washington LLC Annual Report
Deadline for filing annual reports in Washington is the last date of company’s anniversary month with the Washington Secretary of State. Late fee of $25 is charged.
First and foremost, it’s important to understand the deadline for filing your Washington LLC annual report. The due date is typically during the month of your LLC’s formation. It’s important to mark this deadline on your calendar to ensure that you don’t overlook it. If you miss the deadline, you may incur late fees or even risk your LLC going into bad standing with the state.
Next, gather all the necessary information before you sit down to fill out the annual report. This may include your LLC’s name, address, registered agent information, and any changes that may have occurred throughout the year. Having all of this information readily available will streamline the process and make completing the report a breeze.
When it comes time to actually fill out the annual report, take your time to ensure that all information is accurate and up to date. Double-check all names, addresses, and other pertinent details before submitting the report. Mistakes or inaccuracies could lead to delays in processing or even penalties from the state.
If you’re unsure about any part of the annual report or have questions along the way, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Washington Secretary of State’s office for assistance. They have resources available to help you navigate the filing process and can address any concerns you may have.
It’s also worth noting that you can file your Washington LLC annual report online, which can greatly expedite the process. Online filing is often faster and more convenient than traditional paper filing methods. Additionally, online filing can help ensure that your report is received promptly and accurately by the state.
In conclusion, filing your Washington LLC annual report doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By staying organized, double-checking your information, and utilizing online filing options, you can quickly and efficiently submit your report to the state. Remember, timely filing is essential to maintaining your LLC’s good standing with Washington, so be sure to mark your calendar and set aside time to complete this important task each year.
In Conclusion
An LLC has to file many types of reports, such as Application for Reinstatement, Periodic Report of a limited partnership (usually filed by the exempt nonprofit organization), etc., which are required depending on the type of entity. The Annual Report is mandatory irrespective of the entity type. It requires compliance across entities.