Steps to change to inactive status in Washington State
All new business registrations in Washington automatically create an active Excise Tax account—even when you're only registering for a new hire working remotely.
Follow these steps to change the account status to "Active Non-Reporting (ANR)" to avoid filing zero-dollar returns:
1) Log in to SAW
2) Click "Business Licensing and Taxes" provided by the Department of Revenue
3) File a zero-dollar return for any existing annual returns
a) Click File Return
b) Check the box for "Report No Business"
c) Fill out the Submitter Information and click Submit
4) Go to "More Options" -> "Send Message"
5) Click Excise Tax
6) Click "This message doesn't concern a specific period"
7) Click "Excise Tax Filing Frequency"
8) Add the following to the Subject line and Message body:
Subject: Change to ANR
Body: Change to active non-reporting.
Registered in Washington only for an employee and no reportable income.
9) Click "Submit." You will receive a confirmation page indicating your message was sent.
10) Once the request is approved, you will receive a confirmation message that the filing frequency has changed. You will no longer have an annual return due starting next year.
💡 If you have deactivated your Washington excise tax account, please reach out to support@mosey.com so that we can continue to accurately track your account.