How much is the fee?
The current fee is $56.
- The previous fee was $55.00.
- The amount changes with inflation.
Why did your business receive this fee?
Your business is charged a fee because your North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code falls within those that typically generate dangerous waste. Your NAICS code is listed on the back of your invoice.
What is the NAICS code?
The NAICS code is the business classification system that describes the type of industry that your business is in. This number is recorded as part of your business license application and is provided to us by the Department of Revenue.
Do you have to pay the fee?
You must pay this fee if your business met the following criteria in the previous calendar year:
-
Your business generated dangerous waste in the year billed and the value of all your products, gross proceeds of sales, or gross income exceeded $12,000
OR
-
Your business had an active EPA/State Site Identification number and reported dangerous waste generation activities.
How do you apply for a waiver or exemption?
Please apply before the due date on your invoice if your business did not generate hazardous waste.
Apply for:
- One year waiver if you did not generate any amount of hazardous waste in the year billed.
- Exemption if you never generate hazardous waste.
After we receive your request:
- We will respond within a few business days by email.
- We may request additional information in order to make a determination.
Frequently asked questions
Some businesses may receive two bills if they:
- Received a reminder notice for an unpaid bill and an invoice for the new billing cycle.
- Have more than one business required to pay the fee.
- Made a change to their business license last year that then changed the state tax identification number.
If you made a change to your business you must:
- Pay the fee for the old business tax number, and
- Apply for a one year waiver for the new tax number.
We are unable to accept credit card payment over the phone.
If the bill remains unpaid, it will be sent to collections. Collections can charge up to 50% of the original fee, as allowed in RCW 19.16.500(1)(b).
You cannot apply for a waiver or exemption after an invoice is sent to collections.
Yes, but be sure to follow the payment instructions and include all invoices with the check. If you do not have the invoices, write your invoice numbers on the check.
Your business information is provided to us by the Department of Revenue's (DOR) tax database. It is sent to us in a secure file that we cannot update.
To update your business information, contact DOR to update your:
- Business mailing address.
- NAICS code.
- Other business information.
If you made a change to your business you must:
- Pay the fee for the old business tax number, and
- Apply for a one year waiver for the new tax number.
Note:
- We cannot update your information. Only you can do that by contacting DOR.
- Address changes may affect the mailing of your tax information.
The bill is for last year’s activities and therefore applies to your previous tax registration number or business name.
- If you generated waste last year, the fee still applies.
- Next year, you will be billed under your new tax registration number and business name, if your business meets the criteria.
This may be the first time you’ve received this fee because of changes to the business classification code (NAICS code).
- The federal government is responsible for the code and updates it every five years.
- Many businesses had their NAICS codes updated during review.
We use the funds to help businesses manage their waste safely and provide technical assistance to help businesses:
Want help?
We offer free, non-regulatory, and confidential technical assistance for any business interested in:
- Pollution prevention.
- Effective waste management.
- Energy reduction.
Many businesses have reduced or eliminated waste through these consultations, and thereby reduced overall business costs.
For the purpose of the fee, dangerous waste and hazardous waste mean the same thing. Hazardous waste is a federal term and dangerous waste is a state term.