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Small Business Guide PLAN START Payroll Open RUN GROW CLOSE PDF (ten languages) Workshops SBRR Workshops Resources Economic & Business Resilience Newsletter Technical Assistance Loan and Grant Programs Business Checklists Opening a Business Step 1: Considerations Step 2: Register Step 3: License Step 4: Employees Step 5: Reselling Step 6: Construction Contractor Step 7: Food Handling Step 8: Other Requirements Download Printable Road MapSmall Business Liaison Team × Important! Watch out for fake websites pretending to be SecureAccess Washington (SAW)! If you used a search engine to get to SAW, you might have clicked on ads that look real but actually lead to scams. Learn more . Linking entrepreneurs and small businesses to Washington state resources Click for BizFair Click for Workshops Click for NewsletterHow do I... (see all FAQs ) File my Washington state taxes online? Register my WA business as a corporate entity (LLC, Corporation, etc.)? Renew my business license? Set up my business as a Sole Proprietorship? Set up payroll accounts as an out-of-state employer? Convert my business entity into another type of entity? Estimate payroll? Report on Beneficial Ownership Information? Our service is free and we are ready to help. Text / SMS Chat now Email 1-800-917-0043 360-725-0628Text / SMS (via phone) Chat now (via browser) Email (via web form) 1-800-917-0043 (via phone) 360-725-0628Our Vision We envision Washington state being the best place to do business. Our Mission We are listening to businesses, then driving action to make it easier to do business in the state of Washington. Some of Our Actions This Website The Checklist for opening a business The Small Business Guide Participation in statewide business forums Updating, maintaining, and increasing the visibility of the Small Business Guide Translations of the Small Business Guide (Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Russian, Japanese, Somali, Somoana, Tagalog, and braille formats) Hosting presentations from state agencies and outside sources that provide services in support of small businesses Two videos, prepared by the Washington Department of Labor and Industries, Employment Security and the Washington Department of Revenue in response to requests from business owners, with information on audits and taxes This Website The Checklist for opening a business The Small Business Guide Updating, maintaining, and increasing the visibility of the Small Business Guide Translations of the Small Business Guide (Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Russian, Japanese, Somali, Somoana, Tagalog, and braille formats) Participation in statewide business forums Hosting presentations from state agencies and outside sources that provide services in support of small businesses Two videos, prepared by the Washington Department of Labor and Industries, Employment Security and the Washington Department of Revenue in response to requests from business owners, with information on audits and taxesSmall Business Workshops (SBRR) Our workshops are free and provide information on how to Start a Business in WA and how to Grow Your Business in WA . Small Business Guide This free Guide provides links to valuable resources, and outlines the steps for starting and operating a business in the state of Washington (available in ten languages). Need a Permit, Approval, or License? The Regulatory Handbook has information on local, state and federal permits, approvals, and licenses. Linking you to success We know regulations, you know your business, together we’ll make a great team that will keep your business on track with state, federal, and local regulations. We also have tools and resources to help you get started with your business and then to keep it running smoothly, here are a few of the most popular ones: Small Business Guide The Small Business Guide includes sections that will help you plan, start,... The Small Business Guide includes sections that will help you plan, start, run, grow, or close a business in Washington State and it’s available in many languages. Payroll Calculator Use the online "Payroll Calculator" to estimate payroll costs. There are tw... Use the online "Payroll Calculator" to estimate payroll costs. There are two different calculators, one for hourly employees and the other for salaried employees. Apply For A Business License If you’re ready to apply for your business license, start here. Business License Wizard Step-by-step, this tool asks you questions to build a checklist of thin... Step-by-step, this tool asks you questions to build a checklist of things you’ll need to do and permits you’ll need to consider when licensing your business. Corporate/Entity Registration Registering your corporation is not the same as licensing your business, yo... Registering your corporation is not the same as licensing your business, you’ll need to both. Small Business Liaisons Whether you’re being audited by a state agency, trying to get the right p... Whether you’re being audited by a state agency, trying to get the right permits to expand your business, or just need to clarify something simple, you may need a contact at one of the state agencies to help you. The Small Business Guide The Small Business Guides provides helpful information, links to valuable resources, and outlines the steps for starting and operating a business in Washington state. The Small Business Guide is available in English , Spanish , Russian , Korean , Vietnamese , Chinese (Traditional) , NEW Japanese , NEW Samoan , NEW Somali , NEW Tagalog , and as two volumes in Braille Ready Format NEW Braille - Volume 1 and NEW Braille - Volume 2 . The Business Guide includes sections that will help you plan, run, grow, or close a business in Washington State. English La Guía Para Pequeñas Empresas 소 규모 사업체 가미드 Справочник малого бизнеса 小 型企業指南 Hướng dẫn các doanh nghiệp nhỏ 中小企業ガイド Taiala Pisinisi Laiti Braille - Volume 1 Gabay sa Maliit na Negosyo Braille - Volume 2 Hagaha Ganacsiga Yaryar Linking you to solutions.Linking you to solutions We can answer questions and help with research TXT/SMS: Tap to text us Live Chat: Click to chat now E-mail: help@business.wa.gov Phone: 1-800-917-0043 or 1-360-725-0628 Our Information Center is available Monday through Friday, 8 AM through 4:30 PM . We are friendly, eager to help and knowledgeable about regulations. We have team members that have owned and operated businesses and some that have worked for regulating agencies . If we do not have the answer we collaborate with dozens of subject matter experts that do. Contact us and we will assist you with your questions, we really want you to succeed. Get answers to FAQs and important tips from our Facebook site. Follow us on facebook Linking you to answers Am I required to get business insurance? Business insurance, also known as Commercial General Liability insurance, protects against third-party bodily injury and property damage claims arising from your premises or operations. This type of insurance includes coverage for Personal Injury, Products/Completed Operations, Fire Legal Liability, and Medical Payments. Business insurance is not required as a general rule; however, it is recommended for non-corporate entity business structures such as Sole Proprietorships because it can provide the same protection against lawsuits as a Corporation or LLC. It also protects owners from losses due to bodily or property damages. Note: one exception to this rule is if you are registered as a general or specialty contractor with the Department of Labor & Industries. Visit: https://lni.wa.gov/licensing-permits/contractors/register-as-a-contractor/ for more details. If you have questions about business insurance, you should speak with a licensed insurance professional or insurance company regarding your coverage for your business, or visit https://www.insurance.wa.gov/learn-how-business-insurance-works . Can a Sole Proprietorship change to a business entity such as an LLC? To...