What Is a UBI Number in the State of Washington?
A UBI number is a unique nine-digit number assigned to businesses operating in Washington State. This is a number that is used by the state to identify businesses, and it will be used by various state agencies or departments, so they can process your application or filings. Your UBI number is to Washington state what your TIN is to the IRS.
The Importance of the UBI Number
The UBI number is one of the key pieces of information that is required by a company of the State when they are just starting up to comply with the law and start doing business. Your new business will likely need to deal with the Department of Revenue, the Secretary of State, Labor & Industries, and Employment Security. They will be able to use your UBI number to do things like:
- Register your business legally
- Process tax filings
- Track employment and workers’ compensation
- Issue or verify business licenses
UBI Number Format
The standard format of a UBI number is an exclusive Nine-digits number issued by Washington or a business location in Washington. Large businesses or franchises with more than one location in Washington may have a “Site/Location” format UBI as well as their standard 9-digit UBI. The extra 16 digits include:
- The standard 9-digit number
- A 3-digit site/branch identifier
- A 4-digit location identifier
Having a unique site/location identifier immediately available can be of tremendous help in case of emergency or when you need to identify a resource.
