If your business was formed outside Washington, DC and does business there, you'll generally need to register with DC's Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) before we can register you for DC sales tax.
You will need to complete this registration directly with DLCP, then upload your approval confirmation through the messaging widget in your Numeral dashboard so we can take it from there.
šµ Not sure if this applies to your business? Check DLCP's business registration FAQs or contact its Corporations Division at (202) 671-4500. You can also check with your attorney or CPA if you need help determining whether your business needs to register.
1. Before you start
What you need | Details |
Certificate of good standing | A certificate from the state or country where your business was formed, dated within the last 90 days. |
Registered agent information | The name and physical DC street address of the person or company authorized to receive legal documents for your business. |
Business details | Your legal business name, entity type, and state or country of formation. |
Date you started doing business in DC | The date you began doing business in DC, if applicable. |
Beneficial ownership information | Names, home addresses, and business addresses for individuals who own more than 10% of the business or control its operations. |
2. Submit your registration to DC
Complete the Foreign Registration Statement (Form FN-1) online through DC's BOSS portal.
Sign in to BOSS. Create an Access DC account if you don't already have one. Existing CorpOnline credentials may also work.
Start a foreign registration. Select Filings ā Create or Register Entity ā Foreign, choose your entity type, and complete Form FN-1.
Upload your certificate of good standing.
Pay the filing fee and submit. The standard filing fee is $220. Expedited processing is available for an additional fee.
Check your application status. Find your filing under Record of Filings and Resubmission. Standard processing can take up to five business days.
Once DC approves your registration, your documents will be available under Certificates & Filing Images. If your application is rejected, correct the filing and resubmit it through the portal.
3. Understand the fees
DLCP charges its own fees for registering and maintaining your business. These are separate from Numeral's fees.
Filing | DLCP fee |
Initial foreign registration (FN-1) | $220 |
Expedited processing ā 3 business days | +$50 |
Expedited processing ā same day | +$100 |
These are the primary fees for the initial registration. Other filings may have separate costs, and fees can change. Check DLCP's website for current amounts before submitting.
Important: Registering with DLCP creates ongoing business registration requirements that are separate from your DC sales tax filings. See Maintaining your DC business registration below.
4. Send your approval to Numeral
š¢ Once approved, upload a copy of your DLCP confirmation through the messaging widget in your Numeral dashboard. We'll use it to proceed with your DC sales and use tax registration.
You don't need to submit a separate DC sales tax registration yourself through this process. Once we have the required confirmation, Numeral can move forward with your sales tax registration and subsequent filings.
Maintaining your DC business registration
Your DLCP business registration is separate from the sales tax registrations and filings Numeral manages. You'll need to maintain it directly with DC.
Registered agent: Maintain a registered agent with a physical DC street address.
Biennial reports: File the required report (BRA-25) on time to maintain good standing.
Business changes: Submit the appropriate amendment when required, such as when your business name or other registration details change.
Closing or withdrawing: Notify DC through the appropriate withdrawal process if you stop doing business there.
Late registration: If you began doing business in DC before registering, additional filings and fees may apply.
For current requirements, deadlines, and fees, consult DLCP or contact its Corporations Division at (202) 671-4500.
š¬ Questions? Reach out to our team anytime via the messaging widget in your Numeral dashboard.