Fact Checked by Editorial Staff 
In general, a Limited Liability Company (LLC) in Washington does not pay any taxes like corporations and other business structures. It has a pass-through taxation instead of business or corporate tax. Besides, the LLC tax structure includes state and federal mandatory taxes. LLCs are required to choose the tax structure at the time of filing the company.
IRS (Internal Revenue Service) allows an LLC in Washington to choose its preferred classification of tax at the beginning of the LLC filing. For example, a single-member LLC is taxed as a sole proprietor, and a multi-member LLC is taxed as a partnership. As there is no fixed tax structure for LLCs, everyone certainly wants to opt for the most beneficial one. On this page, LLCBuddy editors shared all about the tax structure in Washington LLC.
How Does Taxation Work in a Washington LLC
For an LLC in Washington, the tax structure is very simple and flexible. First of all, every LLC has the advantage of a pass-through taxation. On the other hand, an LLC can choose the desired tax structure at the time of formation. There are two ways an LLC can be taxed,
As a Sole Proprietorship
A single-member LLC is usually considered a sole proprietorship company. Hence, by default, it is taxed as a sole proprietorship. A single-member LLC is also called a disregarded entity. Under the U.S. tax law, it is assumed that a single-member LLC is owned by an individual (& not by another LLC), so the U.S. tax law levies rules on it as a Sole Proprietor. A single-member LLC’s owner (Sole Proprietor) has to report all the income of the LLC via their own income tax return.
As mentioned earlier, the single owner of the LLC is treated as the Sole proprietor of the LLC & has to file the Self-Employment Tax on all of the LLC’s earnings. Washington State does not levy State Income Tax, so a single-member LLC must file only the Federal Income Tax.
As a Partnership
Any LLC with more than one owner is referred to as a Multi-Member LLC & it is taxed as a partnership by default. Similar to the Single Owner or Single Member LLC, this LLC is also a pass-through entity. This means that the income of the LLC passes through the income of the members & they have to file taxes through their own earnings.
Partnership or Multi-Member LLC has to pay taxes similar to those of the Single-Member LLC. If the Partnership LLC is directly owned by individuals, it is exempt from the Franchise Tax. All the members of the Multi-Member LLC are liable to pay Self-Employment Tax & Federal Income Tax.
Pass-through Taxation for Washington LLC
A Limited Liability Company (LLC) is a form of business structure that consists of members and/or managers (owners). The biggest advantage of an LLC in Washington is the pass-through taxation. The limited liability company does not pay any federal income taxes based on the revenue of the company. Instead, the tax liability passes through to each member of the LLC. Furthermore, the members will have to pay individual income tax based on their income.
Both for a single-member LLC and a multi-member LLC in Washington, the tax burden passes through to the member(s). In other cases, if an LLC chooses to be taxed as a Corporation, the LLC will have to pay federal income tax based on its revenue and profit. There is no pass-through taxation for C-Corp and S-Corp.
Options to Change Default Tax Classification
The LLCs are categorized either as sole proprietorships or as partnerships, depending on the number of members the LLC has. This is the default tax classification applicable to LLCs. However, the LLCs have an option of changing the default classification & opting to register under the following categories for taxation purposes:
C-Corporation
An LLC can prefer to be treated as a C-corporation by filing Form 8832 (the Entity Classification Election Form) with the IRS. The C-corporation is a regular corporation that is subject to corporate taxes & it is not a pass-through entity.
C-Corporation Taxes
An LLC taxed as a C-Corporation is not a pass-through entity. In a C-corporation, the members/shareholders/ owners are taxed separately. The shareholders of the C-corporation are taxed twice on the dividends that they earn. The dividends of the shareholders are taxed at the corporate level, with a Corporate Tax filed with Form 1120 & at a Shareholder level, an Income Tax filed with Form 1040. Shareholders are subject to Federal Income Tax.
S-Corporation
The S-Corporation is the most common type of corporate structure used by small businesses. It was created to provide corporations with limited liability protection while maintaining the benefits of being a separate legal entity. An LLC can prefer to be treated as an S-Corporation by filing Form 2553. S corporations are small business corporations that choose to pass through the corporate income, losses, deductions, & credits to the shareholders for the purposes of Federal Taxes.
S-Corporation Taxes
An S-Corporation is similar to an LLC except that it is treated by the IRS as a corporation for tax purposes. S-Corps do pay corporate income taxes; however, they are still considered disregarded entities for federal tax purposes.
Like an LLC, an S-Corp reports its annual earnings on a separate Schedule E on the member’s personal account. An S-Corp is treated by the IRS much like a partnership for tax purposes. Unlike Partnership, in S Corporation, the shareholders are required to pay Federal Self Income tax on their share of the company’s profits.
LLC Taxes to be Paid in Washington
Any LLC operating business within the state boundaries of Washington is required to pay the following types of taxes, based on the Washington classification of LLC taxes:
State Income Tax
Washington is one of nine states that do not have an income tax.
State Retail Sales Tax
In general, retail sales tax applies to all sales of merchandise to consumers. Certain services, such as payments by abstract, title insurance, escrow, and credit bureau firms, including tenant screening services, are subject to retail sales tax. Retail sales tax must be collected by sellers. If no retail sales tax has been collected, the in-state consumer must pay use tax. The current retail sales tax rate in Washington is 6.5 percent, although it may differ based on your location, county, or city.
State Use Tax
Use tax is applied when the items are first used in Washington. It is based on the purchase price of the products and includes any freight, delivery, or shipping fees paid to the vendor. The rates are identical to those of the retail sales tax.
State Business & Occupation Tax
The state business and occupation (B&O) tax applies to almost all firms in Washington. This covers nonprofit and for-profit firms organized as corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), partnerships, and sole proprietorships. The B&O tax is based on gross income from commercial activity. It is charged at the rate of 1.5% of gross receipts.
Federal Self-employment Tax
The Federal Self-Employment Tax is payable by each member or administrator of an LLC based in the state of Washington who earns a profit. Each partner’s or manager’s profits are subject to the federal self-employment tax. Washington has a 15.3% federal self-employment tax. You can calculate the Self-Employment Tax your LLC owes in order to deduct your LLC’s expenses from the money earned.
Federal Income Tax
Federal income tax is paid on all sorts of earnings made from your LLC. It is based on your income, the rate at which you are taxed, reductions, and filing status. Only the gains you take out of the company are subject to federal income tax, with various exemptions and deductions. This covers, among other things, tax-free salary, company costs, and various Medicare and retirement plan exemptions.
Employer & Employee Tax
Any LLC with working staff on the payroll is required to pay a variety of taxes that apply to all employees. Employee and employer tax effects are distinct from those of the other types. For example, at the time of receiving a payout, all working staff of an LLC must collect and withhold the Payroll tax. Whether you have withheld the federal tax or not, each employee is required to file a separate tax return.
Classification of Washington State LLC Taxes
An LLC is considered a Pass-through Entity because it allows the income to pass through & become self-employment income. The members of the LLC have to pay Self-employment tax or Self-Employment Taxes on any income they earn through the LLC. The LLC has to pay Franchise Tax on its income. In addition to the Self-employment tax, there are some other requirements that an LLC has to consider, such as:
- Franchise Tax – Franchise tax applies to or levies upon LLCs, C-corporations, & S-corporations. Sole Proprietorship & Partnerships (directly owned by individuals) are exempted from the Franchise Tax. This tax is to be paid to the office of the Comptroller of Public Accounts.
- Federal Tax Identification Number – An LLC with employees must obtain a Federal Tax Identification Number. Washington State does not have a separate State Tax Identification number.
- State Employer Taxes – If an LLC has employees on the payroll, it must pay state employer taxes in Washington State. These taxes are handled through the Washington State Workforce Commission.
- Franchise Tax Report – In Washington State, the LLCs do not pay any Franchise Tax or file a Franchise Tax Report.
Federal Tax Classifications
When LLCs were recognized as one of the types of Business Corporations, the IRS did not create a new tax classification just for the LLC. LLCs were allowed to choose from the current tax classifications.
Choosing a Classification for Your LLC
In terms of owners’ protection against liability, perpetual existence, & savings in Taxation, both LLCs (Limited Liability Companies) & Corporations are very much alike. However, with regard to formalities, Taxation, & capital, LLCs & Corporations differ in Washington State.
Liabilities
Both LLCs and Corporations provide liability protection to their owners. The LLC provides protection against inside liability (towards the employee) & outside liability (towards the creditor). The Corporation usually provides only the inside liability.
Tax Classification Flexibility
For taxation purposes, an LLC has a choice of being treated as a sole proprietorship, Partnership, C-corporation, or S-corporation. A corporation can choose to be treated only as a C or S Corporation.
Taxation
As mentioned earlier, the LLC can choose to be treated as a corporation; the Corporation does not have the option of being treated as an LLC. A Washington State LLC is subject to Franchise tax, Federal Income Tax, Sales & Use Taxes & State Employment Taxes (for LLCs that have employees)
A regular corporation or a C-Corporation is subject to corporate tax, which can be filed through Form 1120 every year. The shareholders have to pay the income tax only when they receive dividends from the Corporation. These dividends are taxed twice at the corporate level (on a corporate form)& at the shareholder level (on shareholder form).
An S-Corporation in an LLC is not subject to corporate taxes. But the shareholders are subjected to Taxation – even if they do not receive any dividends. A member of a Washington S-corporation has to pay Federal Self-Employment Tax only on his salary; any other profits that he makes through the LLC are not subject to the 15.3% Self-Employment Tax.
Classification of LLC Taxes – At a Glance
| Points of Difference | LLC | S- Corporation | C-Corporation | Sole Proprietorship |
| Taxation | Similar to LLC, no tax is levied on an S-Corporation at the entity level. The members’ income or even the loss is passed through to the members or owners. | The Sole proprietorship as an entity is not taxable. The Sole Proprietor pays taxes as an Individual. | The C-Corporation is often taxed at the entity level. The Dividends are taxed at the shareholders’ level. | The Sole- proprietorship as an entity is not taxable. The Sole Proprietor pays taxes as an Individual. |
| Double Taxation | The LLC does not have Double Taxation | There is no Double Taxation in S-Corporation | Self-Employment Tax | No Double Taxation in a sole proprietorship. |
| The proprietorship is subject to self-employment tax | The net income of the members or owners is subject to self-employment tax. | The salaries of the shareholder are subject to self-employment tax, but any other profits that the shareholder makes are not subject to the employment tax. | The C-Corporation is subject to self-employment tax. | Yes, a sole Sole-proprietorship is a Pass-through Entity. |
| Pass-Through Income/Loss | An LLC is often referred to as a Pass-through entity because its income passes through/ passes to its members. | Yes, An S Corporation is a Pass-through Entity. | No, A C-Corporation is not a Pass-through Entity. | Yes, A Sole-proprietorship is a Pass-through Entity. |
FAQ
C-Corporation. It taxes the dividends of the shareholders at the corporate level as well as at the individual level.
An LLC is often referred to as a pass-through entity because the income or the assets pass through the members or owners of the LLC.
The LLCs have two default classifications. It can be termed as a single-member LLC or a multi-member LLC.
When choosing a different classification for taxation, it is essential to understand the liabilities & taxes applicable in that classification.
How Do LLCs Pay Taxes in Washington
LLCs are considered “pass-through” entities for tax purposes, meaning that the business itself does not pay taxes. Instead, the profits and losses of the LLCs “pass through” to the owners, who report them on their personal tax returns. In Washington, LLCs have the option to be taxed as either a sole proprietorship, partnership, C corporation, or S corporation, depending on the number of owners and their tax preferences.
If an LLC has a single owner, also known as a “single-member LLC,” the business is considered a “disregarded entity” for tax purposes. This means that the LLC does not file its own tax return, and the owner reports all profits and losses on their personal tax return using Schedule C of Form 1040. Single-member LLCs in Washington are subject to the state’s business and occupation (B&O) tax, while profits are subject to federal income tax at the individual level.
For LLCs with two or more owners, also known as “multi-member LLCs,” the business is treated as a partnership for tax purposes by default. This means that the business does not pay taxes itself, and profits and losses are divided among the owners according to their ownership percentage. Each owner reports their share of the profits and losses on their personal tax return using Schedule E of Form 1040. Multi-member LLCs in Washington are also subject to the B&O tax, which is based on the business’ gross receipts.
LLCs in Washington also have the option to elect to be taxed as a C corporation or an S corporation. By electing to be taxed as a C corporation, the LLC becomes a separate taxable entity, and profits are taxed at the corporate level using Form 1120. If the owners then receive dividends or salary from the corporation, they will be subject to individual income tax as well. On the other hand, choosing S corporation status allows LLC owners to avoid double taxation by passing profits and losses through to the owners, similar to a partnership.
It is important for LLC owners in Washington to carefully consider their tax options and consult with a tax professional to determine the most advantageous tax structure for their business. Each tax classification comes with its own set of rules and compliance requirements, so it is essential to stay informed and make informed decisions to minimize tax liabilities and maximize benefits.
Overall, understanding how LLCs pay taxes in Washington is crucial for business owners to maintain compliance and make strategic financial decisions. By being proactive and knowledgeable about their tax obligations, LLC owners can effectively manage their tax liabilities and position their businesses for long-term success.
In Conclusion
Every Tax classification has its own set of benefits & restrictions. Every state will have different taxation rules for each of the categories of business corporations. Depending on the objective of formation of the business entity (Eg, to avoid dual Taxation- one can choose S Corporation, for more flexibility, one can choose the LLC format). It is essential to understand the taxing structure of each country & each Classification to decide how you wish to treat your LLC.