Washington LLC Annual Report Late Fees: What You Need to Know
Your Washington LLC annual report is due during your anniversary month. Missing the deadline triggers penalties and could lead to administrative dissolution. Here's how to stay compliant or fix a late filing.
Washington LLC annual reports are due Anniversary month — missing the deadline adds a $25 late fee after the anniversary month deadline late fee with a None — late fees apply immediately after the anniversary month deadline grace period. See details below.
Edmond Hui is a software engineer and serial entrepreneur based in New York who has founded multiple online businesses across e-commerce, media, and information publishing. Before transitioning into tech, he spent years as a commercial real estate professional closing deals totaling over 100,000 square feet, giving him firsthand experience with business formation and entity structuring. He built MyStateLLC to provide the free, state-specific LLC guidance he wished existed when forming his own companies.
Ready to file your annual report?
Go directly to the Washington Secretary of State portal.
None — late fees apply immediately after the anniversary month deadline
🚨
dissolution timeline
Administrative dissolution begins approximately 60 days after the anniversary month if report remains unfiled
What Happens If You Miss the Deadline
Stage 1
Immediately after anniversary month deadline
Your Washington LLC incurs a $25 late fee in addition to the $60 annual report fee. The LLC loses good standing status with the Secretary of State.
✓ Fix:Yes — file the overdue annual report and pay both the $60 base fee and $25 late penalty to restore good standing
Stage 2
30-60 days after deadline
The LLC remains out of compliance and may receive additional notices from the Washington Secretary of State. Business operations may be restricted and liability protection could be compromised.
✓ Fix:Yes — file the overdue report with the same $60 base fee plus $25 late penalty. No additional penalties accrue during this period
Stage 3
60+ days after deadline
Washington Secretary of State begins administrative dissolution proceedings. Once dissolved, the LLC loses its legal status, liability protection, and ability to conduct business legally in Washington.
✓ Fix:Possibly — if dissolution is complete, you must file for reinstatement which involves additional fees and paperwork beyond the standard annual report filing
How to Fix It: Step-by-Step
1
File the Overdue Annual Report
Log into the Washington Secretary of State's online portal at sos.wa.gov and complete your annual report. You'll need to pay the $60 base fee plus $25 late penalty for a total of $85.
2
Pay All Required Fees
Submit payment for the total amount due: $60 (annual report fee) + $25 (late penalty). Payment can be made online via credit card or ACH transfer through the Secretary of State portal.
3
Request Reinstatement if Dissolved
If your LLC has been administratively dissolved, file an Application for Reinstatement with the Washington Secretary of State along with additional reinstatement fees and any other required documentation.
4
Verify Good Standing Status
After processing, request a Certificate of Good Standing from the Washington Secretary of State to confirm your LLC is compliant and in good standing for business operations.
🚨 Reinstatement After Dissolution
Reinstatement Possible?
Yes
How Long Allowed
Generally up to 5 years after administrative dissolution in Washington
Reinstatement Fee
Contact Washington Secretary of State for current reinstatement fees, which are separate from the annual report late fees
What You Lose During Dissolution
During dissolution, your LLC loses liability protection, cannot legally conduct business, may face personal liability for business debts, and loses exclusive rights to the LLC name
Frequently Asked Questions
Washington's late fee for an LLC annual report is $25, charged on top of the standard $60 filing fee, totaling $85 for delinquent submissions. This penalty applies when you file after the deadline, which falls on the last day of the month in which your LLC was formed. The Washington Secretary of State's Business Services Division assesses this fee automatically when processing late reports submitted to their office. Failing to pay the late fee doesn't eliminate the penalty—it simply delays compliance. For LLC owners, this means a single month's delay costs an extra $25 beyond your regular annual obligation. More critically, unpaid late filings can trigger administrative dissolution, jeopardizing your liability protection and business standing. To avoid this penalty, submit your annual report through the Secretary of State's online filing portal before your deadline. If you've already missed the deadline, file immediately with the $85 payment to restore your account's good standing status.
Yes, Washington allows LLC reinstatement up to 5 years after administrative dissolution through the Washington Secretary of State. File Form LLC-405 (Application for Reinstatement) with the Department of Licensing, paying a $180 reinstatement fee plus any outstanding annual report fees and penalties accumulated during the dissolution period. If your LLC was dissolved for failing to file your annual report, you must also file the overdue report before reinstatement. The reinstatement becomes effective upon Secretary of State approval, typically within 5–7 business days. This matters because your LLC's liability protection and legal standing remain suspended until reinstatement is complete—you cannot legally conduct business or enforce contracts during this gap. After reinstatement, ensure timely filing of future annual reports by the April 15 deadline to avoid re-dissolution. Submit your reinstatement application immediately to the Secretary of State's office to restore your company's active status.
Yes, filing your Washington LLC annual report late directly threatens your liability protection. When your LLC fails to file its annual report by the June 1 deadline with the Washington Secretary of State, you lose good standing status. Once your LLC is administratively dissolved for non-compliance, courts may pierce the corporate veil in lawsuits, exposing your personal assets to creditor claims. This means you could be personally liable for business debts and judgments—defeating the entire purpose of forming an LLC. Your liability protection is only restored after you file the overdue annual report (Form UBI-1) and pay the $61 filing fee plus late penalties to the Secretary of State's Corporate Division. You must also pay the $62 reinstatement fee. To protect yourself immediately, file your overdue report today and request confirmation of restored good standing status.
Visit the Washington Secretary of State website at sos.wa.gov and use the Business Search tool to check your LLC's current status instantly. For legal or transactional purposes—such as opening a bank account or securing financing—request an official Certificate of Good Standing directly from the Secretary of State's Division of Corporations. This certificate costs $30 and typically arrives within 5–10 business days. Your LLC maintains good standing only if your annual report was filed by the December 31 deadline and all fees were paid. If your LLC appears delinquent, you'll face reinstatement fees and potential business disruptions. To verify your exact status and identify any outstanding requirements, call the Division of Corporations at (360) 725-0377 during business hours, or submit your search request through the online portal immediately.
No, the $25 late fee cannot be negotiated or waived with the Washington Secretary of State's Corporate Division. This penalty is a statutory requirement under Washington law and applies automatically when your LLC fails to file its annual report by the April 15 deadline. The fee is non-discretionary—the Secretary of State has no authority to reduce or eliminate it, regardless of circumstances. You must pay the full $25 late fee in addition to the standard $60 annual report filing fee (totaling $85) to restore your LLC to active status. Failure to pay results in administrative dissolution, which jeopardizes your liability protection and allows the state to auction your business name. File your overdue annual report immediately through the Secretary of State's online portal or by mail to the Corporations Division in Olympia. Include both the $60 report fee and $25 penalty with form LLC-Annual Report (Form 483) to regain good standing without further complications.