Business Resources:

If you would like guidance on forming or growing a business in Washington, with links to appropriate agencies and valuable resources, please visit the Business.wa.gov website.  In particular, the Employees chapter and the Payroll Your Business chapter of the Small Business Guide are incredibly useful as a reference.

• Some of the most useful resources available to small businesses are the free advising services offered by the Washington Small Business Development Center, which can be reached online or at 833-492-7232.

• For help starting, growing, or maintaining your business, you may also visit a local SCORE chapter for a free consultation with a business mentor.

• You may also qualify for assistance from the Washington State Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises, who provide business advising services.

• For help with determining what you can and cannot ask in a job interview, the Washington State Human Rights Commission is available to assist at 1-800-233-3247.

Setting up required insurances:

In order to set up workers’ compensation insurance, it is necessary to update your WA state business license.  If you say YES to hiring employees in your application, workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance accounts will be automatically opened. The following steps are required as an employer in the state of WA.

1. Update your WA state business license with the Department of Revenue/Business Licensing Service and indicate you are  going to have employee(s).  For customer service, call 1-800-451-7985.

1. • Once the application and employee endorsement is processed, L&I (workers’ comp) and Employment Security Department (unemployment insurance) will open up accounts for the business in 2-4 weeks.  You will receive a packet in the mail from L&I with your account number, your rates and contact information for your L&I account manager. You will also receive the required workplace posters to hang in your workplace or available to your employees.

2. Report any employees to the Department of Social & Health Services (DSHS) New Hire Reporting Program within twenty days           of hire. Reporting new hires helps the Division of Child Support collect child support efficiently, reduces dependence on the                 State for basic needs, and saves taxpayers money. Questions about new hire reporting can contact DSHS 800-562-0479.

3. Create an Accident Prevention Program (Required!) – If you need help creating this, we have sample programs here or you can           request a FREE consultation to get you started on the right foot.

Resources for when you have employees:

• When the time comes, file your quarterly reports online here.  The due dates you need to report by are:
  • April 30 for Quarter 1  (Hours worked from January 1 - March 31)
  • July 31 for Quarter 2  (Hours worked from April 1 - June 30)
  • October 31 for Quarter 3  (Hours worked from July 1 - September 30)
  • January 31 for Quarter 4  (Hours worked from October 1 - December 31)

• To learn more about filing quaterly reports and reporting worker hours, check out the L&I Recordkeeping Requirements page.

• Workplace Posters you are legally required to display in the workplace.

• Small Business Liaisons at Other State Agencies such as Department of Revenue and Employment Security.

• Learn more about free, confidential consultations with one of our safety consultants by visiting our Request Consultation page to submit an Online Consultation Request or to call Consultants Near You.