LaunchPath

Flagship channel-state reference guide

Start Facebook Marketplace in Washington: full reference guide

Use this page when you want the complete dense version: all sections, all appendices, and the full official source directory in one scrollable reference surface.

Last verified: April 26, 2026 Reference mode Dense appendix

Built from reviewed public pages for Washington, IRS, FinCEN, Seattle, Facebook Marketplace. Use it as a first-pass guide, then verify the official links that match your setup.

How to use this page

Dense appendix modeFull source directory attachedLast verified April 26, 2026

This version favors completeness over pacing. Use it when you need the appendix, the dense source trail, or the full long-form reference in one place.

Best reading order

  1. Use the fast-answer and official-links sections first if you only need the main route and source trail.
  2. Open the entity, setup, tax, and local sections only where your exact launch path actually branches.
  3. Use the full source directory last as the appendix, not the starting point, unless you already know the exact agency task.
Fast answer appendix Official links first Full source directory
Back to the guided journey

Reference mode

Everything in one dense page

The guided journey is the easier starting point. This page keeps the full accordion guide and source appendix when you want the complete research-backed reference view.

Best when you need

  • The full section map in one scroll without the lighter journey framing.
  • The appendix and official-source directory preserved next to the answer sections.
  • A clearer audit trail before you print, compare, or cross-check another route.

Still better handled in the journey

  • First-pass reading when you want the shortest, safest beginner route.
  • Deciding what to do first before you need the full appendix.
  • Switching states or platforms quickly without reading the full dense version.
Reference map
Start here Fast answer If you want to open Facebook Marketplace in Washington, you usually need to do five things in order: Everyone 2 steps

If you want to open Facebook Marketplace in Washington, you usually need to do five things in order:

  1. Choose your setup: sole proprietorship vs single-member LLC.
  2. Decide which Facebook Marketplace branch you are actually using:

Practical first-launch recommendation

If you are testing casually with minimal risk, sole proprietor can work.

If you intend to build a real inventory business, single-member LLC is usually the better long-term path.

Avoid these first-launch mistakes

  • Treating every Facebook Marketplace sale like a marketplace-facilitated tax sale when many local transactions are actually direct sales
  • Assuming shipping/checkout is available just because public help articles exist
  • Assuming shipping/checkout eliminates Washington registration or B&O

Washington-specific friction

Washington is not a marketplace-only no-registration state for an in-state seller.

  • Washington is not a marketplace-only no-registration state for an in-state seller.
  • A Washington seller with physical presence still has a real Business License Application, UBI, excise-return, and Retailing B&O branch even when a marketplace facilitator is handling customer-facing retail sales tax.
  • Direct sales and facilitator-handled sales also differ on location coding and retail-sales-tax handling.
  • The reseller permit branch is more formal than many founders expect because Washington ties it to the appropriate business-license setup.
  • Seattle adds a real city-license, tax-return, home-business, and possible Establishing Use branch.
  • Washington businesses using personal property in the business also need to watch the county-assessor personal-property-listing branch, which is generally due April 30.

Facebook Marketplace-specific friction

Public Facebook Marketplace access materials reviewed on April 26, 2026 describe Marketplace as consumer-oriented and say businesses that list may be blocked or have listings removed.

  • Public Facebook Marketplace access materials reviewed on April 26, 2026 describe Marketplace as consumer-oriented and say businesses that list may be blocked or have listings removed.
  • Access depends on the main profile and can be limited by account history.
  • Shipping/checkout is not available to all users.
  • Public shipping help and public Meta merchant-policy material are partly framed around individual sellers, not a stable broad seller baseline.
  • The public onsite-checkout fee posture for individual sellers is 5% per transaction with a minimum fee of $0.40.
  • Public seller protection is limited: it is U.S.-only, tied to eligible onsite orders, capped at covered items priced at $2,000 or less, and does not protect ordinary local or off-platform payment deals.
  • Public payout help references more than one payout path, so do not build the beginner plan around one assumed payout method.
  • Listing limits can block high-volume scaling.
  • Local in-person sales are not protected the same way eligible checkout purchases are.

Insurance reality

No public Facebook Marketplace seller-liability-insurance threshold or universal insurance requirement was identified in the public help pages reviewed on April 26, 2026.

  • No public Facebook Marketplace seller-liability-insurance threshold or universal insurance requirement was identified in the public help pages reviewed on April 26, 2026.
  • That is not the same as having no insurance risk.
  • If you hold inventory, meet buyers at your property, or ship physical products regularly, re-check your homeowners, renters, landlord, carrier, and commercial-liability coverage separately before scaling.
Back to top Next: Quick-start checklist
Checklist Quick-start checklist Use the research-backed checklist groups before you spend, before your first sale, and before launch goes live. Everyone 3 groups

Do these before you spend money

  • Pick your entity.
  • Pick your business name.
  • Decide whether you are using Facebook Marketplace only for direct local/message-based deals or whether you are relying on shipping/checkout if the feature is available.
  • Stay in low-risk general merchandise.
  • Avoid services, regulated goods, recalled products, medical or healthcare items, animals, counterfeit-heavy goods, and high-risk categories for the first launch.
  • Make sure you can document sourcing and item condition.
  • Do not assume every Facebook Marketplace account has the same shipping, checkout, payout, or business-use options.
  • Do not assume Washington treats marketplace-facilitated Facebook sales as a no-registration shortcut. It does not.

Do these before your first sale

  • Form the business or register your Washington trade name if needed.
  • Get an EIN from the IRS if applicable.
  • Open a dedicated business bank account.
  • Open the Washington Business License Application branch and wait for the business license before beginning activity.
  • Resolve the reseller permit branch before buying inventory tax-free for resale.
  • Check local permits, Seattle tax, and home-business or zoning rules if applicable.
  • Confirm you can access Marketplace from your main Facebook profile and that the account is in good standing.

Do these before launch goes live

  • Build the first listing accurately and keep the description, condition, and meetup or shipping method realistic.
  • Keep direct local and shipping/checkout records separate if you use both.
  • Start with one or two low-risk listings so a tax or policy mistake does not scale.
  • Re-check any live Facebook Marketplace shipping, checkout, payout, protection, or tax-info screens you actually use that day.
Back to top Next: Official links you will use first
Choose your setup Entity choice Compare the sole-proprietor and single-member LLC paths before banking, tax setup, and platform onboarding. Everyone 2 options

Sole proprietor

Best for: Best if you want the cheapest and simplest start.

What it means

  • Washington public guidance treats a sole proprietorship as a one-owner business structure, not as a Secretary of State entity-formation filing.
  • If you use a name other than your own legal name, Washington's normal naming path is a state trade name through the Department of Revenue, not a county DBA filing.
  • A Washington sole proprietor using the owner's full legal name and having no employees and no Washington taxes or fees can be outside the normal business-license requirement, but that is not the typical retail-launch fact pattern.
  • Business income generally runs through your personal federal return, but you still handle Washington registration, Seattle, and Facebook Marketplace requirements separately.
  • You usually do not get a liability shield.

Why someone chooses it

  • Faster launch
  • Lower up-front filing cost
  • Fewer entity maintenance steps

Main downside: Personal liability

single-member LLC

Best for: Best if you want a more durable setup for a real business.

What it means

  • Washington LLC formation uses the Certificate of Formation, a registered agent, and an initial report.
  • Washington public guidance says the annual report is due each year, and the public fee shown on April 26, 2026 is $70.
  • You keep the operating agreement internally rather than filing it with the state.
  • Federal tax treatment is generally pass-through by default for a single-member LLC unless you elect otherwise.

Why someone chooses it

  • Liability protection
  • Cleaner setup for banking, resale paperwork, bookkeeping, and scaling
  • Better fit for inventory, Seattle, and later hiring

Main downside: Higher setup friction than a sole proprietorship

Back to top Next: What to do in order
Main path What to do in order The full end-to-end setup path, kept in the same order as the researched guide. Everyone 14 steps

  1. Step 1: Choose a low-risk launch model

    Main guide step 1

    For a first launch, stay inside the safest lane:

    Why it matters: Practical rule: If the item touches health, safety, children, regulated chemicals, dangerous goods, recalled products, or heavy counterfeit risk, slow down and do category-specific compliance research before buying stock or publishing a listing. Facebook Marketplace product rule:

    • general merchandise
    • clearly described physical goods
    • low-breakage items you can photograph and inspect yourself
    • no high-risk categories from services, animals, healthcare products, recalled products, food, supplements, cosmetics, medical claims, batteries-heavy hazmat, alcohol, children's products
    • Public Marketplace help says listings must be physical products for sale.
    • Services are not allowed on Marketplace.

  2. Step 2: Choose your name and brand approach

    Main guide step 2

    You need to decide whether you are:

    Why it matters: Important:

    • operating under your own legal name,
    • using a Washington trade name,
    • reselling existing brands,
    • creating your own brand,
    • or just using Facebook Marketplace as a lead channel for local sales
    • Your listing name and profile do not replace the legal entity, tax, or bank records behind the business.
    • Washington's normal public filing label is trade name, not a county DBA.
    • If you resell branded goods, keep invoices and authenticity records from day one.
    • Because Facebook Marketplace is still framed publicly as a consumer-oriented surface, treat the platform-facing identity branch cautiously and keep a backup channel plan.

  3. Step 3: Form the business

    Main guide step 3

    If you choose sole proprietor: If you sell under your legal name, Washington public guidance does not require a Secretary of State entity filing just to exist as a sole proprietor.

    • If you choose sole proprietor: If you sell under your legal name, Washington public guidance does not require a Secretary of State entity filing just to exist as a sole proprietor.
    • If you choose sole proprietor: If you use another public-facing name, register the trade name through the Washington Business License Application.
    • If you choose sole proprietor: Washington public guidance says the fee is $5 per trade name, plus the business-license processing fee.
    • If you choose single-member LLC: Do this in order:
    • If you choose single-member LLC: Check Washington name availability before filing.
    • If you choose single-member LLC: File the Certificate of Formation and appoint the registered agent. The public online fee shown on April 26, 2026 is $180.
    • If you choose single-member LLC: File the initial report with the formation if possible. If you file it later, Washington public guidance says it is due within 120 days.
    • If you choose single-member LLC: Adopt an operating agreement for your records and get the EIN.
    • If you choose single-member LLC: If your public brand differs from the LLC legal name, also open the Washington trade name branch.

  4. Step 4: Get your EIN

    Main guide step 4

    Use the IRS EIN application after the business is formed if you picked an LLC.

    Why it matters: For many sole proprietors, an EIN is optional if there are no employees, but it is still useful for banking, supplier paperwork, and keeping your Social Security number off some business documents.

  5. Step 5: Open banking and bookkeeping

    Main guide step 5

    Do this right away:

    • Open a business checking account.
    • Keep business money separate from personal money.
    • Save every invoice, receipt, message-based sale record, shipping record, refund record, and tax record.
    • Keep a sourcing folder, a Facebook Marketplace folder, and a tax folder from day one.

  6. Step 6: Register for Washington business license, tax, and resale setup

    Main guide step 6

    Washington is the part that changes most depending on how you actually use Facebook Marketplace.

    Why it matters: Important Washington rule:

    • Unlike some other states, a Washington seller with physical presence still has a real state-registration and B&O branch even when the customer-facing sales tax is being handled by a marketplace facilitator.
    • Branch A: direct local or other clearly direct sales: Use this branch if:
    • Branch A: direct local or other clearly direct sales: the buyer messages you on Marketplace,
    • Branch A: direct local or other clearly direct sales: you arrange pickup, door drop-off, public meetup, or off-platform shipping directly with the buyer,
    • Branch A: direct local or other clearly direct sales: and Facebook is not actually processing checkout for that sale
    • Branch A: direct local or other clearly direct sales: Why this is the direct-sale branch:
    • Branch A: direct local or other clearly direct sales: Facebook's public buying help says buyers can message the seller to arrange a sale.
    • Branch A: direct local or other clearly direct sales: Facebook's local pickup and drop-off tips say transactions are between the buyer and seller only and no third-party guarantee should be involved.
    • Branch A: direct local or other clearly direct sales: Washington result:
    • Branch A: direct local or other clearly direct sales: Washington's normal startup path is the Business License Application.
    • Branch A: direct local or other clearly direct sales: Public Washington guidance says you generally need that branch if you sell taxable goods, use a trade name, plan to hire within 90 days, expect at least $12,000 in annual gross income, or are required to pay Washington taxes or fees.
    • Branch A: direct local or other clearly direct sales: Public Washington guidance says not to begin business activity until you receive the business license.
    • Branch A: direct local or other clearly direct sales: For direct taxable sales, handle Washington retail sales tax and Retailing B&O yourself.
    • Branch A: direct local or other clearly direct sales: Washington sales tax is destination-based. If the customer takes possession at your business location, use the rate at that location. If the customer receives the goods elsewhere, use the rate where the customer receives them.
    • Branch B: shipping/checkout if the feature is available and Facebook is actually facilitating payment: Use this branch only if:
    • Branch B: shipping/checkout if the feature is available and Facebook is actually facilitating payment: the seller can actually offer shipping and checkout,
    • Branch B: shipping/checkout if the feature is available and Facebook is actually facilitating payment: Facebook is processing or facilitating payment for the sale,
    • Branch B: shipping/checkout if the feature is available and Facebook is actually facilitating payment: and the item is sold through that facilitator flow
    • Branch B: shipping/checkout if the feature is available and Facebook is actually facilitating payment: What the public Facebook help pages support:
    • Branch B: shipping/checkout if the feature is available and Facebook is actually facilitating payment: Selling with shipping and buying or creating prepaid labels is not available to all users.
    • Branch B: shipping/checkout if the feature is available and Facebook is actually facilitating payment: When you sell something with shipping and checkout, buyers can pay securely and you ship the item directly to the buyer.
    • Branch B: shipping/checkout if the feature is available and Facebook is actually facilitating payment: Related help pages say identity verification and tax information may be required for shipping sales.
    • Branch B: shipping/checkout if the feature is available and Facebook is actually facilitating payment: Washington result:
    • Branch B: shipping/checkout if the feature is available and Facebook is actually facilitating payment: Washington Department of Revenue says if you make all your retail sales through a marketplace facilitator, you do not need to collect and submit retail sales tax if you have proof that the facilitator is doing so on your behalf.
    • Branch B: shipping/checkout if the feature is available and Facebook is actually facilitating payment: The same public Washington guidance says a seller with physical presence in Washington must still register with the Department even if the seller does not meet an economic threshold.
    • Branch B: shipping/checkout if the feature is available and Facebook is actually facilitating payment: The same public guidance says filing sellers still report gross Washington retail sales under Retailing B&O and take the Gross Sales Collected by Facilitator deduction path for facilitated sales.
    • Branch B: shipping/checkout if the feature is available and Facebook is actually facilitating payment: That means a pure shipping/checkout launch is not a no-registration shortcut in Washington.
    • Reseller permit branch: If you buy inventory for resale, use the Washington reseller permit path.
    • Reseller permit branch: Washington public guidance says a business must have the appropriate business licenses and endorsements before it can get the permit.
    • Reseller permit branch: If you do not yet have a valid permit, Washington public guidance says you can pay sales tax on purchases and then use the Taxable Amount for Tax Paid at Source deduction or request a refund when appropriate.

  7. Step 7: Check local permits, land use, and home-business limits

    Main guide step 7

    Washington does not use one statewide local-business-license form for every city or county.

    Why it matters: Do this before operating: Seattle branch:

    • check zoning and occupancy rules,
    • check storage or delivery-traffic limits,
    • check local tax rules,
    • check local permit pages for activity-specific licenses,
    • and do not assume Seattle rules apply unless the address is actually inside Seattle
    • Seattle says anyone doing business in the city must have a Seattle business license tax certificate, and home-based businesses usually need one.
    • Seattle says you renew that certificate each year by December 31.
    • Seattle's business-tax pages say businesses must file city returns by assigned reporting status, and annual filers are due April 30.
    • Seattle's home-business rules say the operator must live in the unit and the business cannot change the dwelling's character from residential to commercial.
    • Seattle's Establishing Use page says all land uses are established by permit, and opening a new business in a space can require permit review even if no remodel is planned.

  8. Step 8: If you hire employees, handle payroll registrations and insurance

    Main guide step 8

    If you do not hire anyone yet, skip this for now.

    Why it matters: If you hire:

    • update the Washington Business License Application no sooner than 90 days before hiring if that branch is not already open,
    • let Washington's state employer setup route notify L&I and ESD,
    • report new and rehired workers within 20 days,
    • and handle Washington Paid Leave quarterly reporting and premiums

  9. Step 9: Create your Facebook Marketplace account and listing workflow

    Main guide step 9

    Have these ready:

    Why it matters: Platform access rules supported by the public help pages reviewed on April 26, 2026: Seller-verification branch:

    • government-issued ID
    • main Facebook profile in good standing
    • phone number
    • email address
    • bank or payment details you will actually use
    • tax information if you use shipping/checkout
    • business registration details if a feature asks for them
    • clear item photos, condition details, and pickup or shipping plan
    • Public Facebook help says acceptable identity documents for seller verification include a passport, driver's license, or state or government ID.
    • Public help also says Facebook collects tax information to comply with applicable laws and regulations when selling with shipping.
    • Public search-result evidence reviewed on April 26, 2026 also says the business-selling identity flow is only available to certain sellers, so do not assume a settled broad business-seller checkout path.
    • Marketplace is available to adults with active Facebook accounts.
    • Marketplace access can be restricted if the account is new or inactive, uses an additional profile instead of the main profile, or has gone against terms or policies.
    • Public Facebook Marketplace access materials reviewed on April 26, 2026 describe Marketplace as consumer-oriented and say businesses that list may be blocked or have listings removed.
    • Buyers can use Message or Is this available? to arrange a local sale.
    • Shipping and checkout are separate features and are not available to all users.

  10. Step 10: Understand the channel economics before you scale

    Main guide step 10

    What this means in practice:

    • The public sources reviewed on April 26, 2026 did not identify a public subscription-plan decision for Facebook Marketplace.
    • The real operating split is not basic plan vs paid plan.
    • The real split is:
    • direct local or direct seller-managed sale
    • shipping/checkout if available
    • Do not assume there is no cost just because there is no obvious seller-plan page.
    • For ordinary local direct deals, there is no public onsite-checkout selling-fee rule because Facebook is not processing the local transaction.
    • For individual sellers using onsite shipping/checkout, public Meta merchant policies say the selling fee is 5% per transaction, with a minimum fee of $0.40.
    • Re-check live shipping, payout, chargeback, and feature-availability screens if you use shipping/checkout.
    • For local direct deals, price in your own time, meeting risk, refunds, and tax handling rather than expecting platform-managed order economics.

  11. Step 11: Decide whether brand or IP programs belong in the initial launch

    Main guide step 11

    This research pass did not identify a public Facebook Marketplace brand-enrollment or registry program that acts like a default beginner step.

    • This research pass did not identify a public Facebook Marketplace brand-enrollment or registry program that acts like a default beginner step.
    • What matters first is clean sourcing, accurate condition descriptions, and avoiding counterfeit or rights-holder risk.
    • If you build your own brand, start the trademark and documentation path early.
    • If you resell branded goods, keep invoices and supplier records from the start.

  12. Step 12: Complete the fulfillment and operations branch

    Main guide step 12

    Use the platform-specific version of this step.

    • Beginner-safe direct local path: start with one or two low-risk listings,
    • Beginner-safe direct local path: use clear photos and accurate condition notes,
    • Beginner-safe direct local path: choose public meetup, door pickup, or door drop-off carefully,
    • Beginner-safe direct local path: confirm timing and address details in Messenger,
    • Beginner-safe direct local path: and inspect or let the buyer inspect the item before finalizing payment when practical
    • Beginner-safe direct local path: Public safety and handling rules:
    • Beginner-safe direct local path: Facebook says local transaction listings can show meetup preferences such as public meetup, door pickup, or door drop-off.
    • Beginner-safe direct local path: Facebook warns that transactions are between the buyer and seller only and that no third-party guarantee should be involved.
    • Beginner-safe direct local path: Facebook also says eligible purchases made with checkout on Facebook may be covered by Purchase Protection, but items exchanged in person using cash or other person-to-person payment methods are not eligible.
    • Beginner-safe direct local path: That means a Washington founder should not treat local pickup, cash, Zelle, Venmo, or other off-platform payment methods as protected the same way eligible onsite-checkout orders are.
    • Shipping/checkout path if available: only use this branch if the feature is actually enabled for your account and item,
    • Shipping/checkout path if available: keep identity and tax information ready,
    • Shipping/checkout path if available: keep payout setup flexible because public help references both bank-account and PayPal payout articles,
    • Shipping/checkout path if available: monitor shipping performance,
    • Shipping/checkout path if available: and keep evidence for any dispute or chargeback
    • Shipping/checkout path if available: Public shipping and dispute rules reviewed on April 26, 2026:
    • Shipping/checkout path if available: Facebook says shipping and buying or creating prepaid labels are not available to all users.
    • Shipping/checkout path if available: Public help shows both bank account and PayPal payout articles, so do not assume one universal payout rail.
    • Shipping/checkout path if available: Public Meta merchant policies say individual sellers using onsite checkout are charged 5% per transaction with a minimum fee of $0.40.
    • Shipping/checkout path if available: Public Meta merchant policies also say seller protection for onsite transactions is currently U.S.-only and limited to covered items priced at $2,000 or less.
    • Shipping/checkout path if available: For individual sellers, the same public Meta policy page ties shipping-protection eligibility to using a Meta-generated shipping label and shipping within the published shipping or handling window.
    • Shipping/checkout path if available: Facebook says shipping performance includes Cancellation Rate and Missed Handling Rate, and that the Cancellation Rate should stay below 10%.
    • Shipping/checkout path if available: Public Facebook chargeback guidance says a card issuer decides the chargeback dispute, pending payouts may be reduced, and a customer-favorable result can include a USD 20 chargeback fee.

  13. Step 13: Confirm product, service, or category eligibility before scaling

    Main guide step 13

    Scaling friction:

    • Marketplace listings must comply with Meta's Commerce Policies and Facebook Community Standards.
    • Public Marketplace help says anything that isn't a physical product for sale should not be listed.
    • Services are not allowed on Marketplace.
    • Animals or animal products are not allowed.
    • Healthcare products are not allowed.
    • Recalled products should not be sold.
    • Public Facebook help says there is a monthly limit of 20 total listings, with narrower limits in categories such as Vehicles, Auto Parts and Accessories, and Homes for Sale or Rent.
    • That makes Facebook Marketplace a weak fit for high-volume catalog scaling even if the first few listings go well.

  14. Step 14: Launch with a compliance-first operating routine

    Main guide step 14

    Once live, keep these habits:

    • keep Marketplace conversations on Facebook or Messenger as long as possible
    • maintain invoices and condition records
    • separate direct sales from any facilitator-handled sales
    • keep tax reserves separate
    • reconcile payments, refunds, and chargebacks
    • avoid mixing personal and business spending
    • re-check the Washington tax answer before changing from local direct sales to platform checkout or vice versa

Best practical order for the LLC launch path

  1. Choose the product lane and whether the business will rely on direct local sales or true shipping/checkout.
  2. Choose the legal name and public brand approach.
  3. File the Certificate of Formation and appoint the registered agent.
  4. File the initial report.
  5. Get the EIN.
  6. Open the bank account.
  7. Submit the Washington Business License Application and add the trade name if needed.
  8. If using a Seattle address or doing business in Seattle, open the city-license and use-review branch.
  9. If buying inventory tax-free, start the reseller permit branch.
  10. Build the Facebook Marketplace listing workflow.
  11. If hiring, open the Washington employer, ESD, L&I, and Paid Leave branches.
  12. Track the annual report, excise returns, city returns, and personal-property deadlines on the compliance calendar.
Back to top Next: Washington tax stack
State filing and tax Washington tax stack Keep the Washington registration, tax, and maintenance rules together while you launch. Everyone 7 checks

1. EIN

A single-member LLC generally needs an EIN.

  • A single-member LLC generally needs an EIN.
  • A sole proprietor may not always need one federally, but it is often practical anyway.
  • The key state choice is not EIN vs no EIN. The key Washington choice is whether the actual sale is direct or marketplace-facilitated, while recognizing that registration can still be required in both branches.

2. Washington business license and tax registration

Washington's normal registration path is the Department of Revenue Business License Application.

  • Washington's normal registration path is the Department of Revenue Business License Application.
  • That filing creates the UBI and tax-account setup used for excise tax and other state business obligations.
  • Washington public guidance says businesses with physical presence in Washington must register with the Department even if they do not meet an economic threshold.
  • Washington public guidance says new businesses generally pay a $50 open or reopen processing fee, plus related endorsement or trade-name fees.
  • Washington public next steps guidance says the Department assigns an excise-tax filing frequency and says you file even if there is no business to report for a period.

3. Marketplace or platform tax rule

Facebook Marketplace needs a split analysis instead of one answer.

  • Direct-sale branch: If the buyer messages you and you arrange the sale directly, that is the cleaner Washington direct-sale branch.
  • Direct-sale branch: Public Facebook help says local buyers can message the seller to arrange a sale.
  • Direct-sale branch: Public Facebook safety guidance for local pickup says transactions are between the buyer and seller only and no third-party guarantee should be involved.
  • Direct-sale branch: Treat those sales as your direct sales for Washington retail-sales-tax and reporting analysis.
  • Direct-sale branch: Washington's destination-based sales-tax rules mean you source the sale to the location where the customer receives the merchandise.
  • Marketplace-facilitator branch: Washington Department of Revenue public guidance says if you make all of your retail sales through a marketplace facilitator, you do not need to collect and submit retail sales tax on those facilitated sales if you have proof that the facilitator is doing so on your behalf.
  • Marketplace-facilitator branch: The same public guidance says a seller with physical presence in Washington must register with the Department even if the seller does not meet an economic threshold.
  • Marketplace-facilitator branch: That same public guidance says sellers still file returns if registered and still report gross Washington retail sales under Retailing B&O.
  • Marketplace-facilitator branch: The same public guidance says registered sellers then take the Gross Sales Collected by Facilitator deduction path for the facilitated retail sales.
  • Marketplace-facilitator branch: Important caution:
  • Marketplace-facilitator branch: The public Facebook shipping pages reviewed on April 26, 2026 are feature-limited and not available to all users.
  • Marketplace-facilitator branch: The public Meta checkout-policy pages reviewed on April 26, 2026 also tie most usable onsite-checkout details to individual sellers, not to a broad, settled seller program.
  • Marketplace-facilitator branch: Do not treat every Facebook Marketplace listing as a marketplace-facilitated sale.

4. Resale purchases or exempt purchasing

Use the Washington reseller permit path when you qualify to buy inventory for resale.

  • Use the Washington reseller permit path when you qualify to buy inventory for resale.
  • Washington public guidance says a business must have the appropriate business licenses and endorsements before it can get the permit.
  • Washington public guidance says reseller permits are generally valid for four years, but some newer or lower-history accounts may receive a two year permit.
  • If you do not yet have a valid permit, Washington public guidance says you can pay sales tax on purchases and then use the Taxable Amount for Tax Paid at Source deduction or request a refund when appropriate.
  • If you want to buy inventory tax-free for resale, resolve that permit branch before assuming Facebook Marketplace changes the rule.

5. Entity tax treatment

A standard single-member LLC is generally disregarded for federal income-tax purposes unless it elects a different classification.

  • A standard single-member LLC is generally disregarded for federal income-tax purposes unless it elects a different classification.
  • Washington public tax guidance says Washington does not have a personal or corporate income tax.
  • Washington public tax guidance also says businesses can still owe B&O, retail sales or use tax, and personal property tax.
  • Seattle and some other cities can add a separate local business-tax layer.

6. Entity filing-fee or franchise-tax rule

As of April 26, 2026, this combo did not identify a Washington LLC franchise tax in the official public record reviewed.

  • As of April 26, 2026, this combo did not identify a Washington LLC franchise tax in the official public record reviewed.
  • The recurring public Washington entity-maintenance item identified here is the annual report at $70.
  • Treat that as a current public-record finding, not as a lifetime guarantee. Re-check before each filing year.

7. If the founder changes entity type later

Safe path:

  • Washington Department of Revenue public guidance says the process to change a business structure is the same as starting a new business.
  • The same public guidance says the new business must apply for a new business license, receives a new UBI number, and generally must reapply for city and state endorsements and other licenses.
  • treat a sole-proprietor-to-LLC conversion as a new-registration checkpoint for state and city accounts
  • and do not assume the old Washington or Seattle licensing carries over automatically
Back to top Next: Facebook Marketplace account and operations
Platform setup Facebook Marketplace account and operations Use this section for the Facebook Marketplace-specific account, plan, eligibility, and operations work. Everyone 5 steps

  1. Step 9: Create your Facebook Marketplace account and listing workflow

    Platform step 1

    Have these ready:

    Why it matters: Platform access rules supported by the public help pages reviewed on April 26, 2026: Seller-verification branch:

    • government-issued ID
    • main Facebook profile in good standing
    • phone number
    • email address
    • bank or payment details you will actually use
    • tax information if you use shipping/checkout
    • business registration details if a feature asks for them
    • clear item photos, condition details, and pickup or shipping plan
    • Public Facebook help says acceptable identity documents for seller verification include a passport, driver's license, or state or government ID.
    • Public help also says Facebook collects tax information to comply with applicable laws and regulations when selling with shipping.
    • Public search-result evidence reviewed on April 26, 2026 also says the business-selling identity flow is only available to certain sellers, so do not assume a settled broad business-seller checkout path.
    • Marketplace is available to adults with active Facebook accounts.
    • Marketplace access can be restricted if the account is new or inactive, uses an additional profile instead of the main profile, or has gone against terms or policies.
    • Public Facebook Marketplace access materials reviewed on April 26, 2026 describe Marketplace as consumer-oriented and say businesses that list may be blocked or have listings removed.
    • Buyers can use Message or Is this available? to arrange a local sale.
    • Shipping and checkout are separate features and are not available to all users.

  2. Step 10: Understand the channel economics before you scale

    Platform step 2

    What this means in practice:

    • The public sources reviewed on April 26, 2026 did not identify a public subscription-plan decision for Facebook Marketplace.
    • The real operating split is not basic plan vs paid plan.
    • The real split is:
    • direct local or direct seller-managed sale
    • shipping/checkout if available
    • Do not assume there is no cost just because there is no obvious seller-plan page.
    • For ordinary local direct deals, there is no public onsite-checkout selling-fee rule because Facebook is not processing the local transaction.
    • For individual sellers using onsite shipping/checkout, public Meta merchant policies say the selling fee is 5% per transaction, with a minimum fee of $0.40.
    • Re-check live shipping, payout, chargeback, and feature-availability screens if you use shipping/checkout.
    • For local direct deals, price in your own time, meeting risk, refunds, and tax handling rather than expecting platform-managed order economics.

  3. Step 11: Decide whether brand or IP programs belong in the initial launch

    Platform step 3

    This research pass did not identify a public Facebook Marketplace brand-enrollment or registry program that acts like a default beginner step.

    • This research pass did not identify a public Facebook Marketplace brand-enrollment or registry program that acts like a default beginner step.
    • What matters first is clean sourcing, accurate condition descriptions, and avoiding counterfeit or rights-holder risk.
    • If you build your own brand, start the trademark and documentation path early.
    • If you resell branded goods, keep invoices and supplier records from the start.

  4. Step 12: Complete the fulfillment and operations branch

    Platform step 4

    Use the platform-specific version of this step.

    • Beginner-safe direct local path: start with one or two low-risk listings,
    • Beginner-safe direct local path: use clear photos and accurate condition notes,
    • Beginner-safe direct local path: choose public meetup, door pickup, or door drop-off carefully,
    • Beginner-safe direct local path: confirm timing and address details in Messenger,
    • Beginner-safe direct local path: and inspect or let the buyer inspect the item before finalizing payment when practical
    • Beginner-safe direct local path: Public safety and handling rules:
    • Beginner-safe direct local path: Facebook says local transaction listings can show meetup preferences such as public meetup, door pickup, or door drop-off.
    • Beginner-safe direct local path: Facebook warns that transactions are between the buyer and seller only and that no third-party guarantee should be involved.
    • Beginner-safe direct local path: Facebook also says eligible purchases made with checkout on Facebook may be covered by Purchase Protection, but items exchanged in person using cash or other person-to-person payment methods are not eligible.
    • Beginner-safe direct local path: That means a Washington founder should not treat local pickup, cash, Zelle, Venmo, or other off-platform payment methods as protected the same way eligible onsite-checkout orders are.
    • Shipping/checkout path if available: only use this branch if the feature is actually enabled for your account and item,
    • Shipping/checkout path if available: keep identity and tax information ready,
    • Shipping/checkout path if available: keep payout setup flexible because public help references both bank-account and PayPal payout articles,
    • Shipping/checkout path if available: monitor shipping performance,
    • Shipping/checkout path if available: and keep evidence for any dispute or chargeback
    • Shipping/checkout path if available: Public shipping and dispute rules reviewed on April 26, 2026:
    • Shipping/checkout path if available: Facebook says shipping and buying or creating prepaid labels are not available to all users.
    • Shipping/checkout path if available: Public help shows both bank account and PayPal payout articles, so do not assume one universal payout rail.
    • Shipping/checkout path if available: Public Meta merchant policies say individual sellers using onsite checkout are charged 5% per transaction with a minimum fee of $0.40.
    • Shipping/checkout path if available: Public Meta merchant policies also say seller protection for onsite transactions is currently U.S.-only and limited to covered items priced at $2,000 or less.
    • Shipping/checkout path if available: For individual sellers, the same public Meta policy page ties shipping-protection eligibility to using a Meta-generated shipping label and shipping within the published shipping or handling window.
    • Shipping/checkout path if available: Facebook says shipping performance includes Cancellation Rate and Missed Handling Rate, and that the Cancellation Rate should stay below 10%.
    • Shipping/checkout path if available: Public Facebook chargeback guidance says a card issuer decides the chargeback dispute, pending payouts may be reduced, and a customer-favorable result can include a USD 20 chargeback fee.

  5. Step 13: Confirm product, service, or category eligibility before scaling

    Platform step 5

    Scaling friction:

    • Marketplace listings must comply with Meta's Commerce Policies and Facebook Community Standards.
    • Public Marketplace help says anything that isn't a physical product for sale should not be listed.
    • Services are not allowed on Marketplace.
    • Animals or animal products are not allowed.
    • Healthcare products are not allowed.
    • Recalled products should not be sold.
    • Public Facebook help says there is a monthly limit of 20 total listings, with narrower limits in categories such as Vehicles, Auto Parts and Accessories, and Homes for Sale or Rent.
    • That makes Facebook Marketplace a weak fit for high-volume catalog scaling even if the first few listings go well.
Back to top Next: Local permits and Seattle branch
Local branch Local permits and Seattle branch These local and city checks can still change the answer even after the state and platform path is clear. Location-specific 2 branches

Local permits and location checks

Washington pushes many practical operating questions down to cities and counties.

  • Washington pushes many practical operating questions down to cities and counties.
  • For any place where the business will operate:
  • check zoning or planning,
  • check city tax,
  • ask whether inventory storage changes the use,
  • ask whether buyer or carrier traffic changes the home-business answer,
  • and ask whether a specific license applies to the actual activity
  • Typical local risk areas:
  • home occupation restrictions
  • zoning for inventory storage
  • local business-license tax certificates
  • buyer or carrier activity at a residence
  • use-permit or occupancy changes

Seattle Appendix

If the business operates in Seattle, add one more review layer.

  • If the business operates in Seattle, add one more review layer.
  • Seattle says anyone doing business in the city must have a Seattle business license tax certificate, and that most Seattle businesses, including home-based businesses, need one.
  • Seattle says the certificate renews each year by December 31.
  • Seattle's public business-tax page says businesses must have the city license, file a business-license tax return, and pay any tax due.
  • Seattle's public due-date table says annual filers are due April 30.
  • Seattle's Seattle Shield page says the city B&O threshold increased from $100,000 to $2 million effective January 1, 2026, and added a $2 million standard deduction for taxpayers above the threshold.
  • Seattle's home-business rules say the operator must live in the unit, use only small exterior signs, and avoid changing the dwelling from residential to commercial.
  • Seattle's Establishing Use page says all land uses are established by permit, and opening a new business in a space can require permit review even if no remodel is planned.
  • Practical Seattle takeaway:
  • If you want to store Facebook Marketplace inventory at home, package orders there, let buyers come to the address, or run repeated pickup or shipping activity from a Seattle location, do not assume the city-license account alone clears the use.
  • Check the home-business and Establishing Use branch before launch.
  • Seattle says you renew that certificate each year by December 31.
  • and do not assume Seattle rules apply unless the address is actually inside Seattle
Back to top Next: Employees and insurance
Optional branch Employees and insurance Use this branch if you plan to hire or need the insurance follow-up that comes with scaling. Only if hiring or scaling 5 branches

1. Employer registration

Quarterly reporting:

  • Agency group: Washington Department of Revenue, Employment Security Department, Labor & Industries, and Paid Leave
  • Public path: apply for or update the Washington business license
  • Public step: Washington public guidance says businesses with employees need to apply for or update the business license, and that filing registers the employer with ESD and L&I
  • Public timing: if you are opening the employee branch on an existing business, Washington public guidance says do this no sooner than 90 days before hiring
  • Washington ESD public guidance says employers file unemployment tax and wage reports quarterly.
  • Washington public guidance also says employers must report new and rehired workers within 20 days.
  • Washington Paid Leave public guidance says every business files a quarterly report with ESD.
  • report new and rehired workers within 20 days,
  • and handle Washington Paid Leave quarterly reporting and premiums

2. Workers' compensation

Owner-coverage branch:

  • Agency: Washington State Department of Labor & Industries
  • Public path: get the workers' compensation account by applying for or updating the business license
  • Coverage cost: premium-based, not a flat filing fee
  • Timing: before or at the point you become an employer
  • Washington L&I public guidance says business owners, partners, member-managers, and certain officers can elect optional owner coverage separately.
  • The public optional-coverage form number is F213-042-000.

3. Disability, paid leave, or similar coverage

Washington Paid Leave public guidance says every employer files quarterly reports.

  • Washington Paid Leave public guidance says every employer files quarterly reports.
  • Public Paid Leave guidance says the 2026 premium rate is 1.13%.
  • Public Paid Leave guidance also says businesses with fewer than 50 employees generally are not required to pay the employer share, though they still report and handle the employee share.
  • This combo did not identify a separate Washington statewide private-employer short-term-disability registration beyond the paid-leave and payroll systems reviewed here.
  • and handle Washington Paid Leave quarterly reporting and premiums

4. Exemption certificate if applicable

This combo did not identify a general Washington contractor-style exemption certificate for a standard merchandise-employer branch.

  • This combo did not identify a general Washington contractor-style exemption certificate for a standard merchandise-employer branch.
  • If you are in a contractor, staffing, or special-employer fact pattern, research that separately.

Insurance reality

No public Facebook Marketplace seller-liability-insurance threshold or universal insurance requirement was identified in the public help pages reviewed on April 26, 2026.

  • No public Facebook Marketplace seller-liability-insurance threshold or universal insurance requirement was identified in the public help pages reviewed on April 26, 2026.
  • That is not the same as having no insurance risk.
  • If you hold inventory, meet buyers at your property, or ship physical products regularly, re-check your homeowners, renters, landlord, carrier, and commercial-liability coverage separately before scaling.
Back to top Next: Ongoing compliance calendar
Stay compliant Ongoing compliance calendar Keep the recurring compliance checks and live-operating routine visible after launch. Everyone 4 groups

Before first sale

  • Finish entity or Washington trade-name setup.
  • Get EIN if applicable.
  • Open bank account.
  • Decide whether the sale path is direct or facilitated.
  • Open the Washington Business License Application branch and wait for approval.
  • Check Seattle license, tax, zoning, and home-business rules if applicable.

Before first live launch

  • Build the first listing carefully.
  • Choose the meetup or shipping path.
  • Re-check live Facebook Marketplace help pages if you use shipping, checkout, or payout features.
  • Keep the first launch small.

Monthly or quarterly

  • File Washington excise returns on the frequency assigned by the Department, even if you have no business to report for a period.
  • If you are an employer, handle ESD, L&I, and Paid Leave reporting on the required schedule.
  • Review whether your operating facts changed enough to reopen the reseller-permit, direct-sale, or Seattle use branch.

Annual or periodic

  • File the Washington LLC annual report if you formed an LLC.
  • Renew the Seattle business license tax certificate by December 31 if applicable.
  • File the Seattle city business-tax return by assigned status, with annual filers due April 30.
  • File the county personal-property listing by April 30 if you use taxable business personal property.
  • Re-check Facebook Marketplace shipping, payout, listing-limit, and policy pages before scaling volume.
Back to top Next: Common mistakes
Avoid these Common mistakes These are the repeated beginner errors called out in the research pack. Everyone 10 mistakes

Common Mistakes New Operators Make

  • Treating every Facebook Marketplace sale like a marketplace-facilitated tax sale when many local transactions are actually direct sales
  • Assuming shipping/checkout is available just because public help articles exist
  • Assuming shipping/checkout eliminates Washington registration or B&O
  • Ignoring the reseller-permit branch before buying inventory tax-free
  • Using a public business name without the right Washington trade name filing
  • Storing inventory or running repeated meetups from a Seattle home without checking zoning and home-business rules first
  • Treating a new commercial or warehouse space like it is automatically cleared without checking the Establishing Use branch
  • Moving buyer conversations off-platform too early
  • Forgetting that in-person deals and checkout deals have different support and protection rules
  • Building around high listing volume even though public listing limits are low

Practical first-launch recommendation

If you are testing casually with minimal risk, sole proprietor can work.

If you intend to build a real inventory business, single-member LLC is usually the better long-term path.

Back to top Next: Full official source directory
Full appendix Full official source directory Every official source row from the research pack, kept in its full table structure. Everyone 45 rows

Source group

Statewide Start

Washington Department of Revenue

Washington registration hub

Form / portal Business License Application / My DOR
Fee Variable
Timing Early in setup
Who needs it New and existing Washington businesses

Public page says to register if the business uses a different public name, plans to hire within 90 days, sells taxable goods, expects at least $12,000 in annual gross income, or otherwise owes DOR taxes or fees.

Open official link

Washington Department of Revenue

Immediate post-application guidance

Form / portal Guidance page
Fee None for the page
Timing After filing the application
Who needs it New Washington businesses

Public guidance says not to begin business activity until you receive the business license, says the Department assigns an excise-tax filing frequency, and says you will receive a UBI.

Open official link

Washington Department of Revenue

Tax-registration and no-income-tax overview

Form / portal Income-tax and tax-registration guidance
Fee None for the pages
Timing First planning step
Who needs it Everyone

Public DOR guidance says Washington does not have an individual or corporate income tax, but businesses can still owe B&O, retail sales or use tax, and other taxes.

Open official link

Source group

Entity Choice and Formation

Washington Secretary of State

Default entity formation filing

Form / portal Certificate of Formation
Fee $180
Timing At formation
Who needs it single-member LLC founders

Public filing instructions confirm the Certificate of Formation and the current online fee.

Open official link

Washington Secretary of State

Immediate post-filing requirement

Form / portal Initial report
Fee Free with formation; $10 if filed separately
Timing With formation or within 120 days
Who needs it single-member LLC founders

Public Washington guidance says the initial report may be filed with formation or later within 120 days for an added fee.

Open official link

Washington Secretary of State

Ongoing entity maintenance

Form / portal Annual report filing path
Fee $70 current fee for profit entities
Timing Annual
Who needs it single-member LLC founders

Public Washington guidance says annual reports are due on the last day of the month the business first formed or registered and may be filed up to 180 days early.

Open official link

Washington Secretary of State

Registered-agent rule

Form / portal Registered-agent guidance
Fee Varies if you hire a service
Timing At formation and ongoing
Who needs it LLC founders

Public guidance says the registered office must be a physical Washington address and cannot be a P.O. box or PMB.

Open official link

Source group

Sole Proprietor and Local Name Filings

Washington Department of Revenue

Sole-proprietor baseline

Form / portal FAQ guidance
Fee None for the page
Timing Before launch
Who needs it Sole proprietors

Public guidance says a sole proprietor using the owner's full legal name and having no employees and no Washington taxes or fees may not need a business license, but the usual retail triggers often reopen the license branch.

Open official link

Washington Department of Revenue

Trade-name registration

Form / portal Business License Application trade-name branch
Fee $5 per trade name plus processing fee
Timing Before using the public business name
Who needs it Sole proprietors and LLCs using another public-facing name

Public guidance says trade-name registration is indefinite until canceled and does not protect the name from use by others.

Open official link

Washington Department of Revenue

Trade-name bulletin

Form / portal Bulletin / instructions
Fee None for the bulletin
Timing During name filing
Who needs it Founders using a trade name

Public bulletin explains when to use the state trade-name filing and why it is not the same as trademark protection.

Open official link

Source group

Federal and State Tax Setup

IRS

EIN overview and online application

Form / portal Online EIN application
Fee Free
Timing Early in setup
Who needs it LLCs and sole proprietors wanting an EIN

Public IRS page says to form the entity first if you are creating one.

Open official link

IRS

EIN paper form

Form / portal Form SS-4
Fee Free
Timing If not applying online
Who needs it Founders not using the online EIN flow

Public IRS page also covers later responsible-party updates.

Open official link

Washington Department of Revenue

Washington business-license and tax registration

Form / portal Business License Application
Fee Variable
Timing Before business activity
Who needs it Washington businesses needing registration

Public guidance says the application is used to open or reopen a business, register a trade name, hire employees, and add endorsements.

Open official link

Washington Department of Revenue

Variable licensing fees

Form / portal Fee schedule
Fee $50 open or reopen, $10 other purpose, $5 annual renewal processing fee, plus endorsement and trade-name fees
Timing During registration and updates
Who needs it New and existing Washington businesses

Public fee page is the cleanest fee anchor for startup, change, and renewal-processing costs.

Open official link

Washington Department of Revenue

Marketplace-seller rule

Form / portal Guidance page
Fee None for the page
Timing Before and after launch
Who needs it Marketplace sellers and mixed-channel sellers

Public page says a seller with physical presence must register, facilitated sales do not require the seller to collect and submit retail sales tax if the seller has proof the facilitator is doing so, and filing sellers still report gross retailing B&O and use the facilitator deduction path.

Open official link

Washington Department of Revenue

Direct-sales rate and sourcing tools

Form / portal Tax rate lookup tool and destination-based sourcing rules
Fee None for the pages
Timing Before and during direct selling
Who needs it Direct sellers and mixed-channel sellers

Public guidance says sales tax is based on where the customer receives the merchandise or service. The rate-lookup tool provides location codes and rates.

Open official link

Washington Department of Revenue

Resale purchases or exempt buying

Form / portal Reseller permit
Fee No standalone fee identified on the reviewed public page
Timing After tax registration if applicable
Who needs it Inventory purchasers buying for resale

Public page says permits are generally valid for four years, with two years possible for some newer or lower-history businesses, and require the appropriate Washington business licenses first.

Open official link

Source group

Entity Tax Maintenance

IRS

Entity tax treatment

Form / portal Guidance page
Fee None for the page
Timing During planning and annually
Who needs it single-member LLC founders

Public IRS page covers the default federal classification and election paths.

Open official link

Washington Department of Revenue

Washington business-tax structure

Form / portal Guidance pages
Fee None for the pages
Timing During planning and filing
Who needs it Washington businesses

Public guidance supports the reviewed tax structure here: no state personal or corporate income tax, but businesses can still owe B&O, retail sales or use tax, and personal property tax.

Open official link

Washington Department of Revenue

Personal-property listing

Form / portal Personal-property guidance
Fee None for the page
Timing By April 30 each year
Who needs it Businesses using taxable personal property

Public guidance says everyone who uses personal property in a business or has taxable personal property must file a listing with the county assessor by April 30.

Open official link

Washington Department of Revenue

Structure-change rule

Form / portal New business-license and UBI guidance
Fee Variable
Timing When changing entity type
Who needs it Businesses changing structure

Public guidance says changing structure is treated like starting a new business and usually requires a new UBI and reapplication for endorsements and licenses.

Open official link

Source group

Federal Reporting

FinCEN

BOI or other federal reporting status

Form / portal BOI interim-final-rule Q&A
Fee None
Timing Check before filing
Who needs it Everyone forming an entity

Public FinCEN guidance says domestic U.S. entities are exempt after the interim final rule published on March 26, 2025. Re-check live because this is time-sensitive.

Open official link

Source group

Employees, Payroll, and Insurance

Washington Department of Revenue

Employer registration

Form / portal Business License Application hiring-employees branch
Fee Processing fee depends on filing purpose
Timing No sooner than 90 days before hiring
Who needs it Businesses with employees

Public guidance says you must have a registered business to hire and that the application notifies L&I and ESD about the new employer branch.

Open official link

Employment Security Department

Unemployment-insurance employer account

Form / portal SAW / EAMS
Fee None stated for registration
Timing At hiring when liable
Who needs it Businesses with employees

Public guidance points employers to SAW and EAMS for unemployment-tax reporting and management.

Open official link

Employment Security Department

New-hire reporting

Form / portal New-hire reporting
Fee None stated
Timing Within 20 days of hiring or rehiring
Who needs it Businesses with employees

Public guidance says Washington employers report new and rehired workers within 20 days.

Open official link

Washington State Department of Labor & Industries

Workers' compensation account

Form / portal Workers' compensation account through business-license path
Fee Premium-based or varies
Timing Before or at hiring
Who needs it Most employers hiring in Washington

Public page says employers usually get the account by applying for or updating the business license.

Open official link

Washington State Department of Labor & Industries

Optional owner coverage

Form / portal F213-042-000
Fee No filing fee identified on the form
Timing Only when the owner wants personal workers' compensation coverage
Who needs it Sole proprietors, partners, member-managers, and certain officers

Public form covers elective owner coverage for otherwise excluded owners.

Open official link

Washington State Paid Family and Medical Leave

Paid leave reporting and small-employer rule

Form / portal Quarterly paid-leave reporting
Fee Premium-based
Timing Quarterly if you have employees
Who needs it Washington employers

Public guidance says every employer files quarterly, smaller employers generally do not pay the employer share, and the 2026 premium rate is 1.13%.

Open official link

Source group

Platform Setup

Facebook Help Center

Marketplace access and account eligibility

Form / portal Marketplace access rules
Fee None stated
Timing Before launch
Who needs it All operators on the platform

Public help says Marketplace is for adults with active accounts, access can be restricted, and Marketplace is not available on additional Facebook profiles. Public access materials reviewed on April 26, 2026 also say businesses that list may be blocked or have listings removed.

Open official link

Facebook Help Center

Listing creation

Form / portal Listing flow
Fee No public fee identified on the reviewed page
Timing Before first listing
Who needs it All operators

Public help describes creating a listing with photos, item information, and publishing. Direct open may redirect to login.

Open official link

Facebook Help Center

Direct local sale flow

Form / portal Messaging and meetup flow
Fee None stated
Timing Before using local sales
Who needs it Direct local sellers

Public help says local buyers can message the seller to arrange a sale. Safety tips say transactions are between buyer and seller only and no third-party guarantee should be involved.

Open official link

Facebook Help Center ; Meta legal page

Shipping and checkout branch

Form / portal Shipping and checkout flow
Fee Public Individual Seller fee posture: 5% per transaction with $0.40 minimum for onsite checkout
Timing Only if the feature is available
Who needs it Sellers using shipping and checkout

Public help says shipping and buying or creating prepaid labels are not available to all users. Identity verification and tax-information help is public via search, but direct page opens may redirect to login. Public Meta merchant-policy text reviewed on April 26, 2026 also says the checkout rules in this branch are framed for Individual Sellers and should not be generalized into a broad seller program.

Open official link

Facebook Help Center

Listing-volume limit

Form / portal Listing limits
Fee None
Timing Before scaling
Who needs it High-volume operators

Public help says there is a monthly limit of 20 total listings, with narrower limits in some categories. Direct open may redirect to login.

Open official link

Facebook Help Center

Policy and restricted-item baseline

Form / portal Commerce-policy help
Fee None
Timing During sourcing and listing
Who needs it All operators

Public help says Marketplace listings must comply with Meta Commerce Policies and Community Standards and gives examples of prohibited items and services.

Open official link

Source group

Fulfillment, Logistics, or Store Operations

Facebook Help Center

Local meetup and privacy workflow

Form / portal Local meetup workflow
Fee None
Timing Before local transactions
Who needs it Direct local sellers

Public help covers public meetup, door pickup, door drop-off, privacy, recalled goods, and counterfeit caution. Public scam guidance also says local in-person cash or person-to-person payment deals are not eligible for the same Purchase Protection used for eligible checkout orders.

Open official link

Facebook Help Center

Shipping performance

Form / portal Shipping performance tools
Fee None for the page
Timing If using shipping
Who needs it Sellers using shipping and checkout

Public help says shipping performance includes Cancellation Rate and Missed Handling Rate, says the cancellation rate should stay below 10%, and says the feature is available only on the Facebook app for iPhone and Android. Direct open may redirect to login.

Open official link

Facebook Help Center ; Meta legal page

Shipping-label and seller-protection branch

Form / portal Label choice and protection rules
Fee None for the page
Timing If using shipping
Who needs it Sellers using shipping and checkout

Public help shows both prepaid-label and own-label support pages. Public Meta policy text reviewed on April 26, 2026 says Individual Sellers need a Meta-generated shipping label and timely shipment to qualify for the shipping-protection branch of seller protection.

Open official link

Facebook Help Center

Payout and tax-form branch

Form / portal Shipping payout flow
Fee No separate public payout fee identified beyond checkout selling-fee rules
Timing If using shipping and checkout
Who needs it Sellers using shipping and checkout

Public help shows a feature-gated payout stack and references both PayPal and bank account help pages plus a separate different types of payments page. This pack therefore treats payout as a live account-level setup question rather than assuming one universal payout rail.

Open official link

Facebook Help Center ; Meta legal page

Returns, chargebacks, and purchase-protection limits

Form / portal Returns, chargeback, and protection help
Fee Varies by dispute
Timing Ongoing if using shipping or checkout
Who needs it Sellers using checkout and all local sellers

Public help says local-pickup returns and refunds are not available from Facebook, says a customer-favorable chargeback can include a USD 20 fee, and public Meta policy text says seller protection is limited to covered onsite-checkout items priced at $2,000 or less in the U.S.

Open official link

Source group

Insurance Checkpoint

Facebook Help Center

Platform insurance threshold or requirement

Form / portal Marketplace overview
Fee None identified
Timing Re-check before scaling
Who needs it Operators with physical-product risk

No public Facebook Marketplace seller-liability-insurance threshold or universal insurance requirement was identified in the public help pages reviewed on April 26, 2026.

Open official link

Source group

Seattle Branch

City of Seattle Finance

City license baseline

Form / portal Seattle business license tax certificate / FileLocal
Fee Base tier starts at $73 in 2026, plus $10 per branch; first-year base fee is halved if the start date is on or after July 1
Timing Before doing business in Seattle and renewed annually by December 31
Who needs it Seattle-based businesses and some businesses doing business in Seattle

Public pages say most Seattle businesses need the city license, including home-based businesses, and note that some online-only businesses may also need it.

Open official link

City of Seattle Finance

City tax filing and annual due date

Form / portal City tax returns through FileLocal
Fee Varies
Timing Ongoing
Who needs it Seattle businesses with city filing obligations

Public page says Seattle businesses must have the city license, file a return, and pay any tax due. Annual returns for annual filers are due April 30.

Open official link

City of Seattle Finance

Seattle Shield threshold change

Form / portal Seattle Shield guidance
Fee None for the page
Timing During planning and annual city filing
Who needs it Seattle businesses

Public page says the Seattle B&O threshold increased from $100,000 to $2 million effective January 1, 2026, and added a $2 million standard deduction for taxpayers above the threshold.

Open official link

Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections

Home-business rules

Form / portal Home-business guidance
Fee None for the page
Timing Before operating from a residence
Who needs it Seattle home-based businesses

Public page says the operator must live in the unit, use only small signs, avoid detectable impacts at the property line, and avoid changing the dwelling from residential to commercial.

Open official link

Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections

Use-permit and new-location branch

Form / portal Establishing Use / Addition or Alteration permit path
Fee Varies
Timing Before opening a new location or changing a use
Who needs it Seattle businesses using commercial, warehouse, or newly converted space

Public pages say all land uses are established by permit and that opening a new business or changing the use of a property can require permit review even when no major remodel is planned.

Open official link
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