Before you leap into your first day of business in Kirkland, ensure that you have the right legal permissions. Without the proper license, you may build up penalties that limit — or at least put a huge dent in — your company’s profitability. While it’s not an easy process (it never is), ultimately the hassle of jumping through a few hoops will make it worth it in the end. Read on to find out everything you need to know about getting your license in the city of Kirkland.
Your company pretty much needs a business license no matter what. Whether your business operates within the city limits or simply provides a service to those within the city of Kirkland. With that in mind, the best thing you can do is apply by contacting the Business License Division at Kirkland City hall. You can download the required documents or contact the office directly.
Can it all be done online?
In a word, no. You often need to send in a physical copy of your signature and then acceptances or denials will be issued in 30 days or less. While you can download the forms and start the process, the city of Kirkland currently only accepts physical copies, not digital.
Assuming you’re accepted and issued a license, the license is valid for up to 12 months after issuance. However, “home occupations” require both a Kirkland license and a Home Occupation Agreement. Further details can be found by contacting the Planning Department. Anecdotally, all subcontractors should apply for a license as well.
It’s also incredibly important to note that you must obtain state and city licenses before you open your business. You need approval from the city to establish and operate your business in the city before actually opening your doors. This is true even if you plan on running a seasonal or temporary business. Temporary businesses need a license to conduct their operations if they’re operational for 35 days or more. The fee for the license is dependent on the number of full-time employees.
You want to ensure you have approval first because penalties are doled out to businesses that do not obtain their business licenses beforehand. Utilities are subject to fees from FTE related regulations, as well as any relevant taxes. Expect to pay $100 dollars plus $105 for every full-time employee that is currently hired. A full-time equivalent is found by dividing the hours worked by part-time staff by the number 1,920. The final number of hours is the FTE count. Temporary employees are given a separate equation. Contract employees are sent by a company that already has a license, therefore it’s not necessary to pay FTE fees on contract employees. Even if you are the only employee of a company, then it will be necessary to pay $205 for your license. That’s the $100 base fee with the $105 dollar employee fee added. Non-profit, government, and religious organizations are also required to get the license, however they may be exempt from the fee. Total revenue is based on receipts created throughout the year. You must pay the fee at the time of application. Cash, check, or credit card is accepted as a valid form of payment.
It may sound like a lot, but getting a license for your business is usually a matter of filling out forms at the right time. You can also reach out to city hall or, if you need additional guidance, you can always contact our CPAs to help provide guidance. Good luck, and make sure to always follow the rules set by regulatory bodies.