Business requirements
SBA’s Business Guide lists the requirements needed to start, grow, and expand your business. Since laws and taxes vary by state, here’s what you need to do before starting your business in our area. If you need small business information for the state of Idaho, visit the Doing business in the Boise District page.
Business name and registration
Register your business name with the county clerk where your business is located. If you are a corporation, you will also need to register with the Secretary of State.
Business licensing and zoning
Licenses are typically administered by a variety of state and local departments. It is important to consider zoning regulations when choosing a site for your business. Contact the local business license office where you plan to locate your business.
Taxes
Washington Taxpayer Assistance Centers
915 Second Ave.
Seattle, WA 98174
Phone: 206-946-3400
Department of Revenue Washington State
2101 Fourth Ave., Suite 1400
Seattle, WA 98121
Phone: 206-727-5300
Health and safety
Washington State Department of Labor & Industries
7273 Linderson Way SW
Tumwater, WA 98501
Phone: 360-902-5800
Washington OSHA
300 Fifth Ave., Suite 1260
Seattle, WA 98104
Phone: 206-757-6677
Exporting
The Washington Export Outreach Team (WEOT) is a collaborative team of local, state, regional, and federal export assistance agencies providing exporters with the resources they need to sell internationally.
State small business profiles
Need information on the local business landscape? SBA's Office of Advocacy has the latest demographic and statistics on local small business economic activity.
Local assistance
Need help? Get free business counseling in your area.SBA lending in our area
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Loan programs
Learn more about SBA's 7(a) loans, 504 loans, and microloans that you can use for your business. -
Local lenders
Download a list of participating lenders in our area. -
Lender Match
Describe your business needs and get matched with an SBA-backed lender in your area. -
Lending activity reports
View 7(a) and 504 lending activity reports from our district.
Additional local resources
Download our guide to SBA resources
Learn about the opportunities available for small businesses nationwide.