Revenue is taking the following measures to provide relief to COVID-19 impacted businesses during the state of emergency (February 29, 2020, through the end of the state of emergency, yet to be determined). These actions address a broad range of taxes and programs: business and occupation tax, real estate excise tax assessments, leasehold excise tax, forest tax, and tax deferrals for biotechnology and medical device manufacturing. Check back for updates or date extensions.
What if I am unable to pay my monthly, quarterly or annual return?
We request that businesses still file their returns even if they are unable to pay.
New! Monthly filers: Request an extension for paying tax returns prior to the due date (or within 4 days after the due date) by sending a secure email in your My DOR account or by calling Revenue’s customer service at 360-705-6705, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you miss the deadline for requesting an extension, request a penalty waiver when filing your return along with an explanation of how COVID-19 Pandemic caused the delay.
New! Quarterly filers: The Quarter 1, 2020 return is now due June 30, 2020.
New! Annual filers: The Annual 2019 return is now due June 15, 2020
Please note: Extensions only push out the due date; they don’t waive the tax owed. If you already filed and scheduled your payment, you must cancel your payment in your online My DOR account, BEFORE the day the payment is scheduled.
What about interest?
The Department currently has the authority to waive interest only through April 17, 2020. Interest will begin accruing after this date on outstanding balances. Please check back to see if this date gets extended.
What if I need to, or have been, working with the Department on a collection related issue?
Revenue will delay issuing new compliance assessments until mid-April and reassess then. This delay includes tax warrants, notices of withhold and deliver, and revocations.
What if I have a payment plan with the Department?
Upon request, Revenue will work with taxpayers that are impacted by COVID-19 to adjust payment plan amounts or extend payment dates 30 to 60 days. If payment is extended, additional penalties that would have normally accrued during the extension period will be waived.
What if I am scheduled for an audit or under audit right now?
The Department will delay scheduling audits of businesses that have gross income of less than $5 million in the past year, or are a type of business specifically identified in the Governor’s proclamation, until mid-May. Revenue will reevaluate at that time.
For audits in progress, Revenue staff will work with you to either issue the audit or provide an extension of up to 60 days based on your preference.
Revenue staff will be flexible in scheduling audits of businesses and encourage electronic records to support social distancing.
What should I do if I have a temporary business registration?
Businesses with a temporary registration that have had their event cancelled should notify the Department by replying to the original email they received when obtaining their temporary certificate. If you no longer have the original email, you may send a message to communications@dor.wa.gov to cancel your temporary registration.
What happens if I am late renewing my business license during this time period?
The Department will waive the BLS delinquency fee for late renewals through April 17, 2020. Please check back to see if this date gets extended.
Please note that penalties and interest accrued prior to February 29, 2020, will not be waived. There will be no refunds for penalties and interest paid during the state of emergency.
What if I'm late renewing my non-profit property tax exemption?
The Department will waive penalties for late non-profit applications and renewals for exempt property through April 17, 2020. Please check back to see if this date gets extended.
What if I have questions about paying my property taxes?
Please contact your local county treasurer.
Requesting Relief
Businesses can request the relief above by sending a secure email in their My DOR account or by calling Revenue’s customer service staff at 360-705-6705, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
We request that businesses still file their returns even if they are unable to pay.
Online Filing and Call Center Assistance
All of our services are available remotely. My DOR is up and running and available 24/7 for online filing. Our call center agents are ready to offer their assistance at 360-705-6705, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
If you recently received something from us and need special assistance, please contact us. We are here to help!
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