Business Licenses
The City of West Richland is pleased to announce we are partnering with the Department of Revenue's Business Licensing Service (BLS). This partnership will become effective February 13, 2012. We are one of several cities to become a BLS partner this year.
What are the benefits of BLS partnership?
Our partnership with BLS will allow you "one-stop shopping" when maintaining or renewing many of your state and city licenses. In addition to filing on paper, many of you will have the option to renew your city license online. New or expanding businesses will also be able to apply for their city license online along with other state and local licenses that are in the system. We are sure you will value the savings in travel time, wait time, and bookkeeping costs that this service represents.
What do I have to do?
Right now, you do not have to take any action. In February 2012, you will receive a renewal notice from Business Licensing Service. Follow the instructions on the renewal notice.
If you are eligible to file your renewal online, the form will provide you a web address and password. You will use a credit card to make payment for online transactions. If you prefer to mail the paper renewal form, please do so in plenty of time to reach BLS before the expiration date, and include a check for the appropriate amount. If the renewal is received after the expiration date, a late filing fee will be assessed.
What fees will I have to pay?
Your renewal form will list the City of West Richland license fee and will also show a $9 renewal processing fee per business location. This fee helps cover the cost of running the BLS system, which includes staff for data entry, as well as the printing and mailing of renewals. Due to the timing of the conversion process, the initial business license renewal will be effective from January 1st, 2012 to March 31st, 2013. Your 2012 renewal will include an additional three months of the annual license fee.
For your convenience, the 2013 license fee may be prorated for less than a full year in order to change your city license expiration date to match with the expiration date BLS has for your business.
What can I expect in the future?
Many other Washington towns and cities are joining BLS, and we are pleased to be among those joining in 2012. This is a proven, cost-effective program that provides benefits to you, the City of West Richland, and all businesses in the state. As more cities partner with BLS, the benefits will expand.
Filing sales and use tax
We would also like to remind businesses when filing sales/use tax for business activities conducted in West Richland, please use the four digit code 0305 when completing the Washington Combined Excise Tax Return, located in the "Local City Sales and Use Tax" section. Correct coding is vital to local government services.
For questions, please contact Julie Oldman, Administrative Assistant, at (509)967-3431 ext. 7101.
Business Licensing
To apply for a business license please go to bls.dor.wa.gov Thank you!
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