State Comparison

Delaware vs Washington LLC

Side-by-side comparison of forming an LLC in Delaware vs Washington — fees, processing times, taxes, and decision factors to help you choose the right state for your business.

Delaware

Filing fee$90

Processing3–5 days

Annual report$300

State income taxNone on out-of-state income for pass-through LLCs

$300 flat annual franchise tax

Washington

Filing fee$200

Processing5–10 days

Annual report$60

State income taxVaries by personal bracket

See state Secretary of State for specifics

Lower state fees:

Washington — $260 total 1st-year state fees

Excludes franchise tax, registered agent, and other compliance costs

Pros and Cons

Delaware (DE)

Pros

Most developed LLC/corporate case law in the US
Court of Chancery resolves business disputes faster than any other state
No state income tax on LLCs not doing Delaware business
Preferred by VCs and institutional investors
Strong privacy — member names not required on public filings

Cons

$300 annual franchise tax regardless of revenue
Foreign qualification required in your home state if operating elsewhere
Annual registered agent fee ~$100-$300

Washington (WA)

Pros

Established LLC statute
Pass-through taxation at federal level
No unusual restrictions on LLC ownership

Cons

Foreign qualification may be needed if operating elsewhere
Annual state compliance required to maintain good standing

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	Delaware	Washington
LLC filing fee	$90	$200
Corporation filing fee	$89	$200
Annual report fee	$300	$60
Processing time	3–5 days	5–10 days
State income tax	None on out-of-state income for pass-through LLCs	Varies by personal bracket
Franchise / entity tax	$300 flat annual franchise tax	See state Secretary of State for specifics
Popular formation state?	Yes	No

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Delaware if...

• Ideal for VC-backed startups and multi-state operations

• Overkill for single-state small businesses

• You live or operate primarily in Delaware — forming locally avoids foreign qualification costs and compliance in multiple states.

Choose Washington if...

• Check state-specific requirements for your industry and structure

• You live or operate primarily in Washington — forming locally avoids foreign qualification costs and compliance in multiple states.

FAQ

Is it cheaper to form an LLC in Delaware or Washington?

Delaware charges $90 filing + $300 annual report. Washington charges $200 filing + $60 annual report. Washington is the cheaper option on state fees alone, though franchise tax and other compliance costs also matter.

Should I form my LLC in Delaware or Washington?

For most businesses, form in the state where you actually operate. Delaware (None on out-of-state income for pass-through LLCs state income tax) and Washington (Varies by personal bracket state income tax) each have their specific characteristics. If you physically operate in one of these states, form there. Forming in Delaware while operating in Washington (or vice versa) means paying fees in both states.

Can I form my LLC in Delaware and operate in Washington?

Yes, but you'll need to "foreign qualify" in Washington, which means paying a registration fee in Washington plus ongoing compliance in both states. You'll also typically owe Washington state taxes on income earned there regardless of where the LLC is formed. Forming in a single state (usually your home state) is typically cleaner and cheaper for small businesses.

What are the annual costs for an LLC in Delaware vs Washington?

Delaware: $300 flat annual franchise tax — plus $100-$300/yr for a registered agent. Washington: See state Secretary of State for specifics — plus $100-$300/yr for a registered agent. Budget an additional $500-$2,000/yr for accounting, bookkeeping, and business license renewals regardless of state.

Which state has better asset protection — Delaware or Washington?

Asset protection varies by state statute. States like Wyoming, Nevada, and Delaware have the strongest charging-order-exclusive doctrines for LLC members. Delaware and Washington both offer LLC liability protection, but consult an attorney for state-specific asset protection planning if you have significant personal assets to shield.

Delaware resources

Washington resources

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Pros and Cons

Delaware (DE)

Pros

Most developed LLC/corporate case law in the US
Court of Chancery resolves business disputes faster than any other state
No state income tax on LLCs not doing Delaware business
Preferred by VCs and institutional investors
Strong privacy — member names not required on public filings

Cons

$300 annual franchise tax regardless of revenue
Foreign qualification required in your home state if operating elsewhere
Annual registered agent fee ~$100-$300

Washington (WA)

Pros

Established LLC statute
Pass-through taxation at federal level
No unusual restrictions on LLC ownership

Cons

Foreign qualification may be needed if operating elsewhere
Annual state compliance required to maintain good standing

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	Delaware	Washington
LLC filing fee	$90	$200
Corporation filing fee	$89	$200
Annual report fee	$300	$60
Processing time	3–5 days	5–10 days
State income tax	None on out-of-state income for pass-through LLCs	Varies by personal bracket
Franchise / entity tax	$300 flat annual franchise tax	See state Secretary of State for specifics
Popular formation state?	Yes	No

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Delaware if...

• Ideal for VC-backed startups and multi-state operations

• Overkill for single-state small businesses

• You live or operate primarily in Delaware — forming locally avoids foreign qualification costs and compliance in multiple states.

Choose Washington if...

• Check state-specific requirements for your industry and structure

• You live or operate primarily in Washington — forming locally avoids foreign qualification costs and compliance in multiple states.