Starting A New Business?
Click here for a list of organizations that can help you start your business.
Starting a Small Business: The Basics
Business Licensing
Writing a Business Plan
Small Business Startup Funds
Business Finances
Tax Information
Business Insurance and Regulations
The following organizations specialize in. . .
Starting a Small Business: The Basics
The following organizations provide online resources and answers to frequently asked questions about starting a small business in Seattle and South King County:
The Small Business Administration (SBA) has a Small Business Planner that walks through all of the steps to plan, start and manage your new business and a Startup Guide which serves as a road map for starting a new business. They also offer an online workshop called Small Business Primer: Guide to Starting a Business.
Business Licensing
Washington State Department of Licensing
Use the Business Licensing Guide Sheet by completing some information about the business you are starting (for example, dog walking business in Burien). The guide sheet will include contact information and required forms for licensing your business.
You can find out what licenses you need:
Washington State Secretary of State
Go here to register domestic and foreign corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, and limited liability partnerships. You can also register state-level trademarks and search for available business names.
Seattle Department of Executive Administration
This link provides a Guide to Seattle Business License and Tax information.
Writing a Business Plan
Online business plan templates and tools:
Getting started on market research:
Download worksheets for financial projections from:
Small Business Startup Funds
The following organizations offer startup business loans ranging up to $35,000:
Need to calculate your startup costs?
Starting Costs Calculator
Business Finances
Get your business finances in order by using the following online resources at:
Download templates for financial statements at:
Set up a bookkeeping system that is appropriate for your business model. Intuit offers a free accounting software called Intuit QuickBooks Simple Start that is a good alternative to spreadsheets, but may not have all of the options necessary for your business.
It is very important to keep personal and business expenses and income separate. Open a business checking and savings account as soon as you start your business. Many banks and credit unions now offer free business checking accounts including BECU.
Tax Information
Internal Revenue Service
Washington State Department of Revenue
The Washington State Department of Revenue answers questions about who is required to pay B&O Tax in Washington State, what the tax rate is and what credits you may qualify for as a small business on their website.
Business Insurance and Regulations
The following online resources explain business insurance requirements and options:
Washington State Legislature
Search for small business related Bills, RCW, WAC, and State Register documents.
The following organizations specialize in working with:
- JumpStart: Refugees
- WATF: People with disabilities
- ShoreBank: Hispanics, Native Americans, Green Building Loans
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