License and Tax Administration Department of Finance and Administrative Services - Calvin W. Goings, Director
Contact Us
Seattle Municipal Tower
700 Fifth Ave.
42nd floor
Seattle, WA 98104
P.O. Box 34214
Seattle, WA 98124-4214
Attention! Avoid the expense of parking and the hassle of driving to downtown Seattle during the Seattle Squeeze. As the Alaskan Way Viaduct is being removed, the ability to travel to our office in the Seattle Municipal Tower to conduct business will be constrained even more than usual. We want to encourage business owners to take advantage of the online portal, FileLocal, where you can apply for a new business license tax certificate, renew an existing certificate, file taxes and make business information changes. It is all online at FileLocal. If you must come in, plan for potential travel delays, especially during the typical peak morning and afternoon commute times.
Business license tax certificates and tax returns
If you do business in Seattle, you must:
- Have a Seattle business license tax certificate and renew it annually. A business license tax certificate in Seattle is also referred to as a business license.
- File an annual business license tax return, even if you are not obligated to pay taxes.
You can manage your business license and tax needs online, including applying for and renewing your business license tax certificate, filing your business tax return and paying your taxes.
Regulatory endorsements
The City of Seattle regulates several types of businesses including taxis, short-term rentals, adult entertainment, marijuana businesses, towing companies and others. Regulated businesses require both a standard business license tax certificate and a regulatory endorsement added to the license tax certificate. For more information, see businesses that require a regulatory endorsement.
Supporting business in Seattle
In addition to the information on these pages, the Office of Economic Development's small business team offers helpful resources to small businesses in Seattle.
Resources — tax laws and rule-making process
License and Tax Administration (LTA) is part of the Department of Finance and Administrative Services (FAS) and follows FAS' rule-making process. Learn more about the rule-making process on FAS' director's rules site.
If you have any questions on LTA's rule-making or questions about LTA draft rules, please contact LTA staff at 206-256-5346.
Contact us
License and tax administration
206-684-8484
tax@seattle.gov
Visit us
Seattle Municipal Tower
700 Fifth Ave.
42nd floor
Seattle, WA 98104
Open Monday through Friday
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Mailing address
P.O. Box 34214
Seattle, WA 98124-4214