A certificate of good standing issued by the District of Columbia validates that a limited liability company (LLC) or corporation was founded lawfully and has been properly maintained.
We will examine the prerequisites for good standing and how to get a certificate of good standing in Washington D.C. in our Certificate of Good Standing Washington D.C. guide.
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What Is the Process for Obtaining a Certificate of Good Standing in Washington, D.C.?
Request your Washington D.C. certificate of good standing from the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection.
There are two major processes involved in obtaining your certificate of good standing:
1. Maintain your LLC’s compliance
2. Request a certificate of good standing.
What exactly is a good standing certificate? A certificate of good standing is a state document that confirms your company was created lawfully and has been properly maintained.
Step 1: Ensure that your Washington, DC-based company is in compliance.
To be eligible for a Washington D.C. certificate of good standing, your company must adhere to the following district compliance requirements:
Permits and Licenses
To do business in Washington, D.C., you must adhere to federal, state, and municipal licensing requirements. Regulations such as health permits and construction permits are examples of this.
The Washington D.C. Department of License and Consumer Protection website has further information on district licensing requirements.
District levies
Depending on your company activity, you may be required to register for several types of Washington D.C. tax. Sales tax, withholding tax, and Unemployment Insurance (UI) tax are all examples of this.
Businesses in Washington, D.C. must additionally pay a franchise tax. Corporations are required to pay the Corporate Franchise Tax, whereas LLCs are required to pay the Unincorporated Business Franchise Tax.
The minimum payment is either $250 for firms with less than $1 million in Washington D.C. gross revenues or $1,000 for enterprises with more than $1 million in Washington D.C. gross sales.
Annual Reports
Every LLC and company in Washington, D.C. is required to submit a biannual report. This report confirms the company’s fundamental facts, such as its primary office location and registered agent.
The report must be submitted with the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection every two years by April 1st. It may be submitted electronically, via mail, or in person. The price for filing is $300.
Step 2: Obtain Your Certificate of Good Standing in Washington, D.C.
Once your company is in good standing with the district, you can request a certificate of good standing from the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection. This is something that can be done online.
Is a Certificate of Good Standing Required in Washington, D.C.?
While you don’t always need a certificate of good standing to do business in Washington, D.C., there are a few times when you might. These are some examples:
Purchasing commercial insurance
Applying for commercial loans
Setting up a business checking account
Getting a business license in another state
