If you have an LLC or PLLC, you must ‘renew’ it each year to keep it going. Officially, it’s referred to as making your Annual Report. It’s quick and costs about $70. It’s due on the anniversary month of when you opened it.
Some reminders
This is different than your business license. Your LLC / PLLC is a legal entity that you created. It has its own limits, responsibilities and protections. It’s separate from you (like an 18 year old child). It can only practice business if you keep it alive and it is properly licensed. To keep it alive is a legal issue (vs. financial), that’s why we’re dealing with the Secretary of State.
Basic Info to Renew / Make Annual Report
TIME: 2 - 10 minutes
COST: $70
DUE: On the anniversary month when it was formed
Frustration Factor: 4 out of 10
WEBSITE: ccfs.sos.wa.gov/#/
GOVT: Secretary of State
HELP: 360.725.0377
Summary
Set up a profile if needed. Log in. Double check that your name and address is filled in for every role (governor, registered agent, executor, etc.). Get to the end, pay $70. Mark off your Important Dates List (Annual, Quarterly). Reward yourself!
Why?
LLCs / PLLCs were originally created for groups of people coming together to do business. Each owner is actually called a Member. The annual report is saying, Yes, it’s still going. Here’s who is doing which role. With bigger groups, this matters! For a single-member LLC / PLLC, it feels a little silly because generally we serve all the roles! By making this report, we confirming that all this info is the same.
Steps - Screen shots below
1 Go to SOS.wa.gov
2 Click on CORPORATIONS in the Top Nav to open the menu
3 Find CORPS & CHARITIES FILING SYSTEM
4 Sign in ….or create a profile, then sign in when directed
5 Find ANNUAL REPORT on the Left Nav
6 Search for your Business using your UBI or Name
7 Select your name from the List
8 Confirm all your information, make changes or additions if needed
9 Review
10 Add to Cart and Pay
11 Optional - print or save the pdf for your records
12 Mark as done on your Important Dates List
13 Reward yourself!
Screenshots
Voila! All done for another year. Great job on getting another business chore finished. Having said that, I hope it was kind of fun and rewarding! Your work is still alive and kicking!
: ) Jenny Girl Friday
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
P.S. Was this helpful? I sure hope so! If YES, please consider leaving a Tip in the Tip Jar. (Unless you’ve already giving an Annual Donation.) And/or forwarding to a friend who’s got an LLC / PLLC.
Why tips and donations? I’m currently doing all of this work during evenings/weekends. It’s slow going to build this Apothecary on the side. With more funds, I can ‘buy’ more time each month to grow the collection faster. I’m hoping to some day earn enough so it can be a one-day-a-week job.