Licenses and permits to open a retail store in Bellevue

Fees and timelines at a glance

A store's filings are mostly registration and tax, plus the sign and occupancy for the space.

Filing	Agency	Government fee	How long	Renews
LLC formation	Washington Secretary of State, Corporations	Varies	Not listed	Not listed
Application for Employer Identification Number (EIN)	Internal Revenue Service	Free	Fax: about 4 business days. Mail: about 4 to 5 weeks. Phone: issued on the call.	Not listed
Washington business license (state tax registration)	Washington Department of Revenue, Business Licensing Service	Varies	About 10 business days; city or state endorsements can add another 2 to 3 weeks.	Every year, before the date printed on the license, when it carries endorsements.
City of Bellevue business license	City of Bellevue Finance, Tax Division	$119	Not listed	Not listed

1. 1

   LLC formation

   Washington Secretary of State, CorporationsWashington State

   Form the company or register a foreign company online.

   Fee

   Varies

   Filed

   Filed online

   File on the agency's siteHow to fill it

2. 2

   Application for Employer Identification Number (EIN)

   Internal Revenue ServiceUS federal

   Owners with an SSN or ITIN apply online. A company whose responsible party has neither (most China-based owners) faxes or mails Form SS-4, or calls the IRS international line.

   Fee

   Free

   Filed

   Paper form, faxed or mailed

   Takes

   Fax: about 4 business days. Mail: about 4 to 5 weeks. Phone: issued on the call.

   File on the agency's siteHow to fill it

3. 3

   Washington business license (state tax registration)

   Washington Department of Revenue, Business Licensing ServiceWashington State

   File online in My DOR, or by mail. It gives the business its UBI number and tax registration, registers trade names and city and state endorsements, and passes your details to Employment Security and Labor and Industries, which open the unemployment insurance and workers' comp accounts.

   Fee

   Varies

   Filed

   Filed online

   Takes

   About 10 business days; city or state endorsements can add another 2 to 3 weeks.

   Renews

   Every year, before the date printed on the license, when it carries endorsements.

   File on the agency's siteHow to fill it

4. 4

   City of Bellevue business license

   City of Bellevue Finance, Tax DivisionBellevue

   Needed once Bellevue gross receipts reach $4,000 a year (or for a regulated activity), after the Washington business license; apply through FileLocal. It doesn't expire, but tax returns are due on the assigned schedule.

   Fee

   $119

   Filed

   Filed online

   File on the agency's siteHow to fill it

Questions and answers

How much do the permits cost to open a retail store in Bellevue?

The fixed government fees add up to about $119, 2 fees are set by the space or the business and 1 filing is free. The largest fixed fee is the City of Bellevue business license, at $119. Build-out, insurance and adviser costs are on top.

How long do the permits take for a retail store in Bellevue?

The times the agencies give. Application for Employer Identification Number (EIN): Fax: about 4 business days. Mail: about 4 to 5 weeks. Phone: issued on the call. Washington business license (state tax registration): About 10 business days; city or state endorsements can add another 2 to 3 weeks.

Which agencies issue the permits for a retail store in Bellevue?

The 4 filings go to 4 agencies: Washington Secretary of State, Corporations, Internal Revenue Service, Washington Department of Revenue, Business Licensing Service and City of Bellevue Finance, Tax Division.

What is the first filing to open a retail store in Bellevue?

The LLC formation, with the Washington Secretary of State, Corporations. Form the company or register a foreign company online.

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<div class="placetta-checklist"><p><strong>Licenses and permits to open a retail store in Bellevue</strong></p><ol><li>LLC formation (Washington Secretary of State, Corporations)</li><li>Application for Employer Identification Number (EIN) (Internal Revenue Service)</li><li>Washington business license (state tax registration) (Washington Department of Revenue, Business Licensing Service)</li><li>City of Bellevue business license (City of Bellevue Finance, Tax Division)</li></ol><p>Source: <a href="https://www.placetta.com/guides/bellevue/retail-store.html">Placetta license guide</a></p></div>Copy the code

More on opening in Bellevue

• How much permits cost to open in Bellevue
• How long permits take in Bellevue
• Opening in Bellevue as a foreign company
• Build-out and occupancy permits in Bellevue
• Importing goods into Bellevue
• Renewals and annual filings in Bellevue

Questions people ask

• How do I get an EIN without an SSN or ITIN?
• How long does it take to get an EIN?
• Does a foreign-owned single-member LLC have to file Form 5472?
• How do I become an importer of record in the US?
• How does a foreign owner get an ITIN?
• Does a single-member LLC with no employees need an EIN?

Other businesses in Bellevue

• Milk tea and bubble tea shops
• Coffee shops
• Restaurants
• Hot pot restaurants
• Bakeries
• Dessert shops
• Grocery stores
• Cosmetics stores
• Toy stores
• Importers and online sellers
• Warehouses and 3PLs
• Retail stores in other cities

Every filing links to the agency's own page, and every fact comes from an official form or agency page. Agency requirements change; check the agency's page before you file. How we source and check these guides