Starting a business involves many moving parts, and if you’ve formed an LLC in Washington, one of those parts is filing an Initial Report. It might not be the most exciting step, but it’s a very important one.
This report informs the state of who is responsible for running your business, where your company is based, and who will handle legal communications. Let’s review the Washington Initial Report, how to file it, and the fees involved. We’ll also share how Mosey can be your right-hand in business compliance.
What Is the Washington Initial Report?
Think of the Initial Report as an introduction to your LLC. When you form a limited liability company in Washington, the state requires certain information about your business.
This includes:
- The principal office address of the LLC
- The registered agent — this is the person or entity responsible for receiving legal notices
- The governing individuals or entities (also known as governors) in charge of running the business
This information helps keep the state’s public records accurate, so they know who’s running the company and where to send important documents. Submitting this report on time ensures your LLC stays in good standing with Washington State.
Why Do You Need To File an Initial Report?
Filing the Initial Report is a mandatory step for every new LLC. The Washington state government uses it to maintain up-to-date records on businesses, which aids in regulatory oversight efforts and makes sure your LLC complies with local laws.
Failing to file the report on time can lead to penalties, and no business wants that hanging over its head. Filing ensures your business records are clear and accurate from the get-go. Plus, keeping this information up to date can help avoid confusion or delays in case legal issues or government inquiries arise.
When Do You Need To File the Initial Report?
The clock starts ticking once your LLC is officially formed. You have 120 days from the date your Certificate of Formation is filed (for domestic LLCs) or the date your Certificate of Registration is submitted (for foreign LLCs) to submit your LLC initial report.
If you want to get ahead of the game, you can file your Initial Report at the same time as your formation documents. When you do it this way, there’s no filing fee. However, if you wait and submit the report until after the formation process, you’ll need to pay $10.
How To File the Washington Initial Report
Filing your Washington Initial Report is a straightforward process, and most businesses handle it online through the Washington Secretary of State’s Corporations and Charities Filing system. If you’ve already set up your LLC, you’re probably familiar with this system. If not, don’t worry.
Register with Washington and file your initial report, hassle free.
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Here’s how to get it done:
1. Login or Create an Account
Head over to the Washington Secretary of State’s website and log in to your account. If you haven’t created one yet, you’ll need to set it up to access the online filing system. This account will let you manage all of your LLC filings.
2. Start the Filing Process
Once logged in, click “Business Maintenance Filings” in the navigation bar, and from there, select “Initial Report.” You’ll be prompted to search for your LLC using your UBI (Unified Business Identifier) number or your business name.
3. Review Your Business Information
When you find your LLC, the system will pull up the information that’s already on file. Check the details for accuracy. This is your chance to update anything that needs correcting, such as your principal office address or the names of your governors (the people who are running the LLC).
4. Update the Registered Agent Information
Your Registered Agent is an entity or person in charge of receiving legal documentation on your LLC’s behalf. If you need to update or change this information, you can do that here. Also, make sure to include the registered agent’s email address and Washington address.
5. Add or Edit Governors
The next step is to make sure the governing individuals or entities listed for your LLC are correct. If any changes are needed, such as adding or removing a governor, now is the time to make those updates.
6. Review and Submit
Once you’ve filled out all the necessary fields and made any changes, you’ll be prompted to review your report. Double-check everything to ensure it’s accurate, then submit.
7. Pay the Filing Fee
If you didn’t submit the Initial Report when you filed your formation documents, you’ll need to pay the $10 filing fee. There’s also an additional online processing fee. Once your payment is processed, the report will be filed.
8. Receive Confirmation
After you’ve submitted your Initial Report, you’ll receive a confirmation. You can check your filing status and view any related documents in your account.
What Are the Important Sections of the Initial Report?
Now that you know how to file, let’s take a closer look at the essential sections of the Washington Initial Report.
These are the areas you’ll need to complete or update:
Principal Office Address
This is where your LLC’s records are kept. The address will be listed publicly, so make sure it’s accurate. The principal office doesn’t have to be in Washington, but it does need to be an address where your business stores its records.
Registered Agent
The registered agent plays a crucial role in your LLC, acting as the point of contact for any legal or government communications. This person or entity must have a physical address in Washington. You can update or replace the registered agent in this section of the report.
Governors
The governors are the individuals or entities responsible for managing the LLC. If you need to add, edit, or remove governors, you can do so in this section. Ensure the information you provide is accurate, as it will also be part of the public record.
What Happens if You Don’t File on Time?
If you fail to submit the Initial Report within 120 days, your LLC may face penalties. In Washington, late filings can result in additional fees, and if the report remains unfiled, your LLC will be marked as delinquent. This could lead to even bigger problems down the road, including administrative dissolution — meaning your LLC could lose its legal standing.
To avoid these issues, you must file on time. Fortunately, a compliance management system like Mosey can help you stay on top of deadlines by providing reminders and automating pieces of the compliance process.
How To Automate Compliance With Mosey
Managing compliance can be a headache for business owners, especially if you operate in multiple states. That’s where Mosey comes into the picture. We help businesses stay compliant with state and local regulations by organizing all their payroll, HR, tax, and entity compliance tasks in one place.
As your business grows, our platform can scale with you, confirming you’re always in compliance with new regulations and requirements, no matter where your employees are based.
From tracking compliance obligations to automating filings, Mosey makes the entire process more manageable, allowing you to focus on running your business instead of worrying about paperwork.
File Your Initial Report With Confidence
Filing the Washington Initial Report might seem like a small task, but it’s a vital step in keeping your LLC in good standing with the state. By submitting this report on time and making sure all your business information is accurate, you can avoid penalties and maintain your LLC’s compliance.
Whether you’re managing compliance on your own or using a service like Mosey to streamline the process, staying organized and on top of deadlines is key. With the right tools in place, you can ensure your LLC remains in good standing and avoids unnecessary headaches.
Need help managing your compliance tasks? Schedule a free demo with Mosey to see how we can streamline your compliance needs and keep your company running smoothly.
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