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 • March 2024 •
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New Income Thresholds for Property Tax Exemptions
Individuals who are 61 or older, retired due to a disability – including disabled veterans – may qualify for the expanded Property Tax Exemption which can reduce taxes owed on property.
To qualify you must own and occupy a primary residence in Washington and have a qualifying income. Each county has their own income thresholds.
You must also meet at least one of the following by Dec. 31 of the assessment year:
- At least 61 years of age.
- At least 57 years of age and the surviving spouse or domestic partner of a person who was an exemption participant at the time of their death.
- Unable to work because of a disability (any age).
- A disabled veteran with a service-connected evaluation of at least 80% or receiving compensation from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs at the 100% rate for a service-connected disability.
Annual Filers: Excise Tax Return Due April 15th
We have resources to help:
Our sign in process includes Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) - you may need extra time to sign in. File your return early at My DOR. If you are ready to file now, why wait? Did you know that when you file early and your amount due is $50 or more, you can schedule your payment for the due date? Don’t risk missing the due date. File now and be done with it.
If you have no business activity to report, you still need to file your return. Learn more here.
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 $16 Million Available for Tribal Clean Energy Projects
Washington State Department of Commerce is accepting applications to support the planning, design, and construction of clean energy projects that promote tribal sovereignty, advance resiliency, and contribute to Washington’s decarbonization goals.
There will be three rounds of funding, with the first round being exclusively available for federally recognized tribes and their contracted service providers. Applications for the first round are due at noon Pacific Time on March 29.
While tribes are eligible for all funding rounds, tribal applicants are highly encouraged to apply under the Tribal Clean Energy Grants round, which will provide access to exclusive funding and is tailored for tribal applicants.
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DES Wants to Help You Connect With Government Purchasers
DES is holding the first annual Washington Procurement Connect in Fall 2024. This year’s theme is Strengthening Your Business.
The goal of the conference is to connect Washington state small, diverse and veteran-owned businesses with the public agencies’ procurement professionals. We are asking for your help to shape the sessions that will give you the most value for your time.
Please share your suggestions in this short survey by April 1.
Subscribe to updates about Washington Procurement Connect.
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 Public Works Certification is Coming!
The Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises (OMWBE) is launching a new Public Works Small Business Enterprise (PWSBE) Certification that will be available in Spring 2024. This program is designed to help small businesses seeking work on public works contracts. PWSBE Certification uses the same criteria for economic disadvantage as OMWBE’s State Certification program. This certification is race- and gender-neutral, available to any qualifying small business.
"Public Works" refers to all work, construction, alteration, repair, or improvement paid for by state and local governments, public universities, and other public organizations. Public works projects include road construction, roof repair, HVAC upgrades, building remodeling, or parking meter installation.
What can your business do to get ready?
- Review eligibility requirements with OMWBE
- Gather the necessary documents to apply
- Sign up to receive a PWSBE launch notification
Click here to get notified when PWSBE Certification is available!
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Have you Looked at our Website?
When visiting the Corporations & Charities Division website, quickly navigate to information about the top questions our office receives.
How to start business in Washington State - Provides steps on what documents are needed if you are either a Domestic or a Foreign business as well as the next immediate steps once registered.
My Business was Admin Dissolved/Terminated - Provides steps on how to file a Reinstatement online or a link to send an email to request a paper form.
Frequently Asked Questions - Provides answers to general questions, a glossary of terms, guidance based on statutory requirements, help navigating CCFS from account creation to resetting a password, and information about other services provided by our office.
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Unemployment Insurance - Remember to Enter SOC Codes or Job Titles
When you file your unemployment tax report due April 30, 2024, be sure to enter one of the following things for each employee:
- Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code
- Job title
Look up SOC codes for your employees
- Find helpful resources about SOC codes, including videos on our SOC webpage.
- You can also locate SOC codes by entering job titles and job duties at:
Import your wage file for faster reporting
We recommend that you import your wage file instead of hand-keying it. Create an eight-column spreadsheet listing the name, Social Security number, hours worked, wages earned and SOC code. Find complete details below.
If you need help finding SOC codes, email socreporting@esd.wa.gov.
Paid Leave & WA Cares - Resources for You & Your Employees
Employers can learn more about Paid Leave and WA Cares with the toolkits, templates, and guides available in the Help Center for Employers.
Employees preparing to take Paid Leave can find benefit guides, application checklists, certification forms, and more by visiting the Help Center for Individuals & Families.
The WA Cares team regularly hosts webinars on the program and topics related to long-term care.
Paycheck Labeling
When you or your payroll administrator are choosing a label for the WA Cares Fund premium on your employees’ paychecks, you are encouraged to use “WA Cares Fund” or “WA Cares LTC.” This will help ensure employees know the name of the program and can easily find more information online.
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Helping Small Businesses Switch to Safer Alternatives
Through our green chemistry efforts, we try to develop, fund, or connect small businesses to resources that increase awareness and adoption of green chemistry and safer alternatives, such as:
- An EPA-funded pilot program to get your products certified with Safer Choice, GreenScreen Certified, or Cradle to Cradle.
- Connections to international pitch sessions and other resources such as the Change Chemistry Startup Network, Small Business Innovation Research, or Department of Commerce grants.
- Connection to the Toxics Use Reduction Institute to identify and evaluate safer alternatives for cleaning and degreasing applications. (Available for businesses of any size.)
Two additional resources for small businesses are our Pollution Prevention Assistance Program and Shoptalk, our dangerous waste and pollution prevention newsletter.
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Small Business Requirements & Resources
The Small Business Requirements & Resources (SBRR) are free workshops providing you with essential information and resources to help start and grow your business.
Outreach events are sponsored by the WA state Small Business Liaison Team and hosted by local partners.
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Coffee Chat with the Small Business Liaison Team
Starting a Business in WA
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Organizado por Mi Centro y el Equipo de Enlace para Pequeñas Empresas (SBLT)
- Martes 26 de marzo, 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
- Registro
Thurston EDC - Grow Your Business
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Small Business Guide
The Small Business Guide is broken into six sections, based on your stage of business. Whether you are starting your business, managing a new business, or expanding your business, you'll find valuable information and resources.
The business guide is readily accessible online, but it's also available in PDF, so you can have it as a printed reference manual.
Need the guide in another language? The PDF is available English, Spanish, Russian, Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, Samoan, Somali, Tagalog and two volumes in Braille Ready Format. Click here to download the guide in PDF format.
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Take Your Business to the Next Level
The SBA T.H.R.I.V.E. program is designed to provide participants with the knowledge, support, and networking opportunities to propel their business forward. Through a combination of in-person sessions, an online curriculum, office hours with subject matter experts, one-on-one business coaching, and the development of a strategic growth plan, participants will gain the tools and guidance needed pursue their next stage of business growth.
Applications are open now until April 28, 2024. Training cohorts in Spokane and Seattle begin on June 18, 2024.
2024 Small Business Awards Gala
Wednesday, May 1st at the Museum of Flight
The 2024 Washington State Small Business Awards Gala is the largest annual state-wide event that recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs and small businesses in Washington State. Bankers, brokers, accounting firms, the Small Business Administration, and numerous organizations that serve the small business community in the Pacific Northwest participate in this must-attend event, in addition to award winners and their guests. They come to the Gala to honor award winners, network with each other, and enjoy a wonderful evening.
The event is hosted by the Greater Seattle Chapter of SCORE, an all-volunteer nonprofit organization dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals through free mentorship and education.
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