WA Tax & Accounting Services
Kurt Simmons CPA provides comprehensive tax and financial services to individuals and businesses throughout Washington (WA). With its no state income tax and major tech industry presence, we understand the unique financial landscape that comes with doing business in Washington.
Under the CPA Mobility Act, our CPA — licensed in Maryland, Delaware, and Florida — is authorized to provide the full range of attestation, tax, and advisory services to Washington clients without the need for an additional state license. This means Washington individuals and businesses receive the same comprehensive service as our home-state clients: financial statement audits, tax strategy, IRS representation, virtual CFO services, and every other service we offer — delivered through our technology-forward, virtual-first practice model.
CPA Services Available in Washington (WA)
WA Individual Tax Preparation
Comprehensive federal and Washington state tax return preparation, including complex returns with investments, rental properties, and self-employment income.
Learn More →WA Business Tax Services
Tax preparation and planning for Washington-based businesses including S-Corps, C-Corps, partnerships, LLCs, and sole proprietorships.
Learn More →WA Cryptocurrency Tax
Specialized crypto tax services for Washington investors and traders. DeFi, NFTs, staking rewards, and exchange reporting handled with expertise.
Learn More →WA Trader Tax Services
Mark-to-market elections, wash sale tracking, and tax optimization strategies for active traders in Washington.
Learn More →WA IRS Resolution
Professional representation before the IRS for Washington taxpayers facing audits, collections, liens, levies, or offers in compromise.
Learn More →WA 83(b) Elections
Equity compensation planning and 83(b) election filing for Washington startup employees and founders receiving restricted stock.
Learn More →WA Financial Statement Audits
Full-scope GAAS-compliant financial statement audits for businesses, nonprofits, and organizations requiring independent assurance.
Learn More →WA Review Engagements
Limited assurance engagements providing meaningful confidence in financial statements for lender requirements and stakeholder reporting.
Learn More →WA Compilations
Professionally prepared financial statements from management-provided data for internal reporting, small business needs, and bank presentations.
Learn More →WA Agreed-Upon Procedures
Targeted, customized engagements designed to address specific areas of concern with flexible scope tailored to stakeholder needs.
Learn More →WA Employee Benefit Plan Audits
DOL-compliant audits for 401(k), pension, and employee benefit plans meeting ERISA filing requirements and fiduciary obligations.
Learn More →WA Tax Strategy & Advisory
Proactive, year-round tax planning that identifies savings opportunities. Entity structure optimization, multi-state planning, and strategic initiatives.
Learn More →WA Cost Segregation Studies
Engineering-based analysis to accelerate depreciation deductions on commercial and residential rental properties, maximizing cash flow.
Learn More →WA Virtual CFO Services
Fractional CFO capabilities including financial modeling, cash flow management, KPI dashboards, and strategic financial leadership.
Learn More →WA Business Consulting
Operational assessments, process improvement, internal control design, and strategic planning to drive efficiency and profitability.
Learn More →WA Estate & Succession Planning
Comprehensive estate planning, business succession strategies, and wealth transfer optimization for business owners and high-net-worth individuals.
Learn More →WA Capital Markets Advisory
Securities compliance, FINRA regulatory guidance, and capital markets advisory for businesses navigating public offerings, private placements, and broker-dealer requirements.
Learn More →Washington Audit Services in Detail
Washington businesses, nonprofits, and benefit plan sponsors typically need an independent audit when state law, federal rules, lenders, grantmakers, or boards require external assurance. We perform GAAS-compliant attest engagements scoped to the specific assurance need — most commonly:
Washington Nonprofit Audits
Under Washington's Charitable Solicitations Act, charities registered with the Washington Secretary of State are generally required to submit audited financial statements when annual gross revenue exceeds $3,000,000, and reviewed financial statements when revenue is between $1,000,000 and $3,000,000. Audited statements are also routinely expected by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, the Ballmer Group, the Seattle Foundation, the United Way of King County, and major Washington funders.
Washington 401(k) & Employee Benefit Plan Audits
Washington plan sponsors filing Form 5500 generally require an ERISA-compliant audit when the plan has 100 or more participants with account balances at the start of the plan year. We perform full-scope and §103(a)(3)(C) limited-scope benefit plan audits for 401(k), 403(b), and defined-benefit plans across Washington, including plans sponsored by Microsoft (Redmond), Amazon (Seattle), Boeing (Renton; Everett), Costco (Issaquah), Starbucks (Seattle), Nordstrom, T-Mobile (Bellevue), and the WA tech and biotech sectors.
Washington Single Audits (Uniform Guidance)
Washington nonprofits, municipalities, school districts, tribal nations, and pass-through subrecipients that expend $1,000,000 or more in federal awards in a fiscal year are subject to the Single Audit requirements of 2 CFR Part 200. We perform Uniform Guidance Single Audits, including major-program testing, internal control work, and preparation of the SEFA.
Washington Lender, Bonding & Investor Audits
Washington banks, surety companies, and Seattle-area venture capital and private equity investors frequently require audited financial statements as a condition of credit facilities, surety capacity, or capital raises.
Washington Reviews & Compilations
Where a full audit is not required, we deliver review engagements (limited assurance) and compilations (no assurance) — both routinely accepted by Washington lenders and stakeholders requiring CPA-prepared financial statements.
Washington (WA) Tax & Business Landscape
Key Washington Tax Numbers. Personal income tax on wages: none. Washington capital gains tax: 7% on long-term capital gains exceeding approximately $262,000 annually (indexed), enacted 2021, effective 2022. Business and Occupation (B&O) Tax: gross-receipts-based — 0.471% retailing, 0.484% wholesaling/manufacturing, 1.5% most services. Sales and use tax: 6.5% state, with combined rates approximately 10% in Seattle. Estate tax: applies above approximately $2.193 million with rates up to 20% — the highest top estate tax rate in the U.S. Seattle JumpStart payroll tax: 0.7%–2.4% on Seattle employers with $8M+ payroll, on compensation to employees earning $174,337+. No PTE (no personal income tax to credit against).
Filing Mechanics. No individual income tax return for wages. WA capital gains tax filed annually. Business and Occupation Tax is filed monthly or quarterly with the Washington Department of Revenue. WA estate tax is filed on Form REV 85 0050.
WA Estate Tax — A Major Planning Issue. Washington's estate tax is one of the most aggressive in the country: a $2.193 million exemption with a 20% top rate means many WA homeowners (with appreciated Seattle-area real estate plus retirement accounts and tech equity) end up subject to substantial state estate tax. State estate planning is essential.
Washington Economy & Who We Serve. Washington's economy is dominated by technology — Microsoft (Redmond), Amazon (Seattle), Costco (Issaquah), Starbucks (Seattle), T-Mobile (Bellevue), Expedia, Nordstrom — plus aerospace anchored by Boeing (Renton/Everett). Other sectors: e-commerce/cloud (AWS), maritime, agriculture (the largest U.S. apple producer), and biotech (Fred Hutch, Allen Institute). Our typical WA clients include tech executives with substantial equity compensation, Boeing professionals, real estate investors with appreciated Seattle-area properties, and high-net-worth families navigating WA estate tax.
CPA Mobility in Washington. Washington has adopted CPA mobility provisions under the Uniform Accountancy Act. Kurt Simmons holds active CPA licenses in Maryland, Delaware, and Florida, and we confirm all applicable Washington State Board of Accountancy mobility and firm registration requirements before commencing any engagement.
Cities and Communities We Serve. Our virtual-first practice serves clients across all of Washington, including Seattle, Bellevue, Redmond (Microsoft HQ), Issaquah (Costco HQ), Tacoma, Spokane, Vancouver, Kent, Everett (Boeing), Renton (Boeing), Federal Way, Spokane Valley, Olympia (state capital), Yakima, Bellingham, the Puget Sound region, the Olympic Peninsula, the San Juan Islands, and every Washington county.
Why Washington Clients Choose Us
- GAAS-compliant audit, review, and compilation experience for nonprofits, benefit plans, and privately held businesses
- Deep expertise in WA-specific issues: Washington 7% capital gains tax, B&O Tax compliance, WA estate tax planning around the $2.193M / 20% structure, and Seattle JumpStart compliance
- Capital markets background — Kurt Simmons has passed the Series 65 examination (Passed; not currently held as an active license) in addition to holding the CPA
- Specialized practices in cryptocurrency taxation, active trader tax, and 83(b) elections for WA Microsoft/Amazon/Boeing/startup employees
- Technology-forward, virtual-first delivery — secure client portal, e-signature, and video consultations
- Transparent, fixed-fee engagements where possible — no surprise hourly invoices
Washington CPA — Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Washington-licensed CPA, or can an out-of-state CPA handle my WA tax and audit work?
Washington has adopted CPA mobility provisions under the Uniform Accountancy Act. A CPA in active good standing in another U.S. jurisdiction is generally authorized to provide tax, advisory, and attest services to Washington clients without holding a separate Washington individual license. Kurt Simmons holds active CPA licenses in Maryland, Delaware, and Florida.
Does Washington have a personal income tax?
Washington has no personal income tax on wages — but in 2022, WA enacted a 7% state capital gains tax on long-term gains exceeding an annual threshold (approximately $262,000 in 2024, indexed). The tax was upheld by the Washington Supreme Court.
What is the Washington Business and Occupation (B&O) Tax?
The Washington B&O Tax is a gross-receipts-based tax on most businesses operating in WA. Rates vary by classification — 0.471% retailing, 0.484% wholesaling/manufacturing, 1.5% most services. The B&O Tax is calculated on gross receipts with virtually no deductions for business expenses.
What is Washington's estate tax?
Washington imposes its own estate tax with an exemption of approximately $2.193 million and a graduated rate that tops out at 20% — the highest top estate tax rate in the United States. State estate planning is critical for high-net-worth Washington residents.
Does Seattle have its own payroll tax (JumpStart)?
Yes. The Seattle JumpStart Tax (effective 2021) imposes a payroll-expense tax on Seattle-based businesses with annual payroll over $8 million, applying to compensation paid to employees earning $174,337 or more. Rates range from 0.7% to 2.4%.
When does my Washington nonprofit need an audit?
Under Washington's Charitable Solicitations Act, charities are generally required to submit audited financial statements when annual gross revenue exceeds $3,000,000, and reviewed financial statements when revenue is between $1,000,000 and $3,000,000. Federal Single Audit requirements apply when federal award expenditures exceed $1,000,000.
Do you serve Washington clients outside Seattle?
Yes. Our practice is virtual-first, so we serve clients across all of Washington — including Bellevue, Tacoma, Spokane, Vancouver, Kent, Everett, Renton, Federal Way, Spokane Valley, Yakima, Bellingham, Olympia, and every Washington county.