Checklist for Starting a Business
REGISTERING YOUR BUSINESS The State of Washington provides one-stop business registration to assist in understanding and meeting federal, state, and local licensing requirements. The process includes obtaining a Master Business Application and UBI number and registering a Trade Name. Applications for a Master Business License can be obtained at: Master Business Application Washington State Dept. of Revenue P. O. Box 9034 Olympia, WA 98507-9034 1-800-647-7706 (automated) 1-360-664-1400 http://dor.wa.gov Dept. of Labor and Industries Washington State 500 Pacific Ave., Suite 400 Bremerton, WA 98312 1-360-415-4000 Request a new Master Application if you are changing your business, structure, name, ownership, product or service, etc. OBTAINING A CITY LICENSE All businesses located on Bainbridge Island or doing business in the City of Bainbridge Island must apply for a city business license. Forms can be obtained at City Hall (280 Madison Ave. N) Monday thru Friday, 8 am-4 pm. 206-780-8668. OBTAINING A SPECIALTY LICENSE Many times a business owner may need additional licenses for landscaping, painting, shipbuilding, or other purposes. For more information on specialty licenses, contact the Business and Professions Division at 1-360-664-1400, or on the Department of Licensing web site at http://www.wa.gov/dol. STATE AND FEDERAL TAX REQUIREMENTS These vary with the form and nature of your business. For state tax assistance, contact the Department of Revenue at 1-800847-7706 or http://dor.wa.gov. The IRS can assist you with federal forms, information, and publications. For general information, call 1-800-829-1040. For IRS forms and Business Tax Kits, call 1-800-829-3676. WAGE REGULATION For questions concerning wage regulations, call or write to the Department of Labor & Industries at: Department of Labor & Industries Employment Standards 315 - 5th Ave. S, Suite 200 Seattle, WA 98104-2607 1-206-515-2800 or 1-800-274-1288 Wage Regulation . . . Department of Labor & Industries P. O. Box 44400 Olympia, WA 98504 1-866-219-7321 or 1-360-902-5316 INDUSTRIAL HEALTH & SAFETY REGULATIONS For information on health and safety rules, contact: Division of Industrial Safety & Health P. O. Box 44600 Olympia, WA 98504-4600 1-800-423-7233 or 1-360-902-5470 INDUSTRIAL INSURANCE For information on hiring employees, on insurance, and on tax withholding for employees, contact: Division of Industrial Insurance Employer Services P. O. Box 44144, MS-4144 Olympia, WA 98504-4144 1-800-321-2808 or 1-360-902-5799 ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS For guideline lines or permits concerning air/water quality, shoreline protection, waste disposal, etc., contact: Washington State Department of Ecology P. O. Box 47600 Olympia, WA 98504-7600 1-425-649-7000 – Northwest Regional Office 1-360-407-6000 EMPLOYMENT SECURITY Call 1-360-902-9500 for information LOCAL FIRE REGULATIONS Bainbridge Island Fire Department 1-206-842-7686 BUSINESS ASSISTANCE For general business information, start-up information or business assistance, contact the CTED Business Assistance Center’s Hotline at 1-800-237-1233. SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT The Washington State University Small Business Development Center provides one-on-one counseling to small businesses. The centers help businesses develop a business plan, map out a business strategy, develop a bookkeeping system, and assist with business start-up at no cost. Also, at no cost, the centers help businesses with research and market analysis. Furthermore through a statewide network of community colleges, the centers sponsor education and training workshops. For more information and/or an appointment, call the Small Business Development Center in Seattle (2401 Fourth Ave., Suite 450), 1-206-553-7328; www.wsbdc.org.
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Checklist for Starting a Business
ACCOUNTING CONCERNS For information on bookkeeping systems, income tax planning, or income tax returns, contact the Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants. BANKING INSTITUTIONS To receive optimum service, give your banker up-to-date and thorough information on your business. INSURANCE CONCERNS Consult your insurance agent about fire, automobile, employee health, life, fidelity (to insure against employee theft), burglary, vandalism, business interruption, and key person insurance. LEGAL CONCERNS Contact your attorney about your business form of ownership, leases and contracts. For attorney referral services in Kitsap County, call 1-360-373-2426; for King County, call 1-206-2677010. For other parts of Washington State, the Washington State Bar Association in Seattle, 1-206-727-8200, may be of assistance. IMPORTANT STATE AGENCIES TO KNOW ■ Office of the Secretary of State Corporations & Limited Partnership Division 1-360-753-7115 ■ Department of Agriculture Market Development Division 1-360-902-1915 ■ State of Washington Business Assistance Center 1-800-237-1233 ■ Department of Ecology Leighton Pratt, Small Business Liaison 1-360-407-7018 For agencies not listed, call 1-800-321-2808 for information. LOCAL RESOURCES & INSTITUTIONS ■ Kitsap Economic Development Alliance 4312 Kitsap Way, Suite 103 Bremerton, WA 98312 1-360-377-9499 ■ Chamber of Commerce Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce 590 Winslow Way East Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 1-206-842-3700 ■ Public Libraries Bainbridge Island Regional Library 1270 Madison Ave. N 1-206-842-4162 Business and Investment Reference: www.krl.org/reference/business/html Washington Technology Center University of Washington 1-206-685-1920 ■ State Board for Community & Technical Colleges 1-360-704-4400 ■ The Export Assistance Center 1-206-553-5615 FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES ■ US Small Business Administration 2041 – 4th Ave., Suite 450 Seattle, WA 98121 1-206-553-7310 www.sba.gov ■ Business Information Center 1-206-553-7310 ■ Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) 1-206-553-7320 ■ US Internal Revenue Service Business Tax Kit – includes information about Employer’s Identification Number, Social Security (FICA). Federal Unemployment Tax and Federal Income Tax Withholding. (Ask for Circular E booklet.) 1-800-829-3676 ■ US Department of Labor Recording Keeping Requirements, Wage and Hour Division 1-206-4US-WAGE or 1-866-487-9243 ■ US Citizenship & Immigration Services Department of Homeland Security Handbook for Employers (see right side of screen) Can also download Employment Eligibility Verification Form www.uscis.gov/i-9 ■ US Dept. of Commerce & Economic Development Economic Development Administration (EDA) 1-206-220-7660 ■ US Department of Agriculture Rural Development Administration (RDA) 1-206-553-2400 www.usda.gov Northwest Trade Adjustment Assistance Center 1-206-622-2730 ■
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