The state Department of Revenue recently launched a video on its website targeted toward new businesses, http://dor.wa.gov/Content/WorkshopsAndEducation/VideoWorkshopsAndTutorials/PlanAndPay/Default.aspx

This video tutorial is very helpful, especially for new businesses or for those unfamiliar with Washington state's rather burdensome business taxes.  The video duscusses the various types of taxes that businesses pay, tax rates, how and when to pay and good information on unemployment insurance tax and worker's compensation premiums.

If you watched this video before you incorporated you might think twice about starting a business, especially if you have employees or are in retail.  It really highlighted how many different taxes are put on business or that businesses have to collect and remit to the state.

The one area that was a bit weak was that very little information was given about tax incentives, such as the B&O credit and sales tax deferral for R&D, although there is a link at the end of the video to DOR's website where you can learn more about various tax incentives.

Overall this video tutorial is very well done and easy to follow. 

More good information for business can be found here:  http://access.wa.gov/business/

I will discuss R&D tax incentives in more detail in a future post.