Bookkeeping and Payroll Services for Seattle, WA

Bookkeeping Services & Payroll Specialist Support in Seattle, WA

Seattle is one of the most competitive and complex business environments in the Pacific Northwest — home to over 600 active startups, major employers spanning tech, aerospace, and logistics, and a tax structure that layers city-level requirements on top of state ones. J. Ott Business Solutions provides bookkeeping services and payroll specialist support built for Seattle businesses at every stage, from early-stage founders managing their first hire to established companies that have outgrown a do-it-yourself system.

When to Make the Switch From DIY Bookkeeping

Many Seattle businesses start with a spreadsheet or a basic accounting app, which works fine until it doesn’t. A few common signs it’s time for dedicated bookkeeping services and payroll support:

You’ve hired your first employee and need to set up compliant payroll
Your gross revenue is approaching or has crossed the Seattle B&O tax thresholds and you’re not sure what that means for you
You’re applying for funding or a loan and need clean, investor-ready financials
You’re spending hours each month on bookkeeping instead of running your business
You’ve expanded to multiple locations or revenue streams and your books haven’t kept up

If any of these sound familiar, that’s usually the point where bringing in dedicated support pays for itself.

How We Help

We provide bookkeeping services and payroll specialist support designed to scale with your business: general ledger management, bank and credit card reconciliation, accounts receivable/payable tracking, monthly and investor-ready financial reporting, and catch-up bookkeeping if you’ve fallen behind — along with payroll processing, payroll tax filing, year-end W-2s, and workers’ compensation support as your team grows.

Bookkeeping Services / Payroll Services

Understanding Seattle’s Business & Occupation Tax

Seattle businesses deal with more layered tax compliance than almost anywhere else in the region. The City of Seattle administers its own Business License Tax (commonly called the Seattle B&O tax), which is completely separate from Washington State’s B&O tax — the two must be filed independently.

Tax rates depend on business classification, generally ranging from about 0.215% to 0.415% of gross receipts
As of January 1, 2026, the City’s B&O taxable threshold increased from $100,000 to $2 million in gross revenue under the “Seattle Shield” changes, though returns must still be filed even when no tax is owed
A separate Business License Tax Certificate fee applies and must be renewed annually by December 31
Businesses below the filing threshold still generally need to register and file, even at $0 tax due

This is one of the most common areas of confusion we see with new Seattle clients — mixing up the city and state B&O obligations, or assuming no revenue means no filing requirement. We help make sure both are handled correctly from day one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Seattle B&O tax the same as the Washington State B&O tax?

No — they are separate taxes with separate filings. The City of Seattle’s B&O tax (technically the Business License Tax) is filed with the City; Washington State’s B&O tax is filed with the Department of Revenue. Many growing businesses miss this distinction.

Do I still need to file if my revenue is below the threshold?

Generally yes. Even if your taxable revenue falls below the City’s threshold and no tax is owed, an annual or quarterly return is typically still required to confirm that.

Can you help a startup that just hired its first employee?

Yes — this is one of our most common Seattle engagements. We help set up compliant payroll from the first hire, including tax withholding, workers’ compensation, and reporting requirements.

Can you prepare investor-ready financials?

Yes. If you’re raising funding or applying for credit, we can help structure your bookkeeping and reporting so your financials are clear, accurate, and ready to share with investors or lenders.

Why Seattle Businesses Work With Us

Experience with both early-stage startups and established, scaling businesses
Clear understanding of Seattle’s layered city/state tax requirements
Investor- and lender-ready financial reporting when you need it
A dedicated point of contact who already understands your stage of growth

“Joshua is great! He is reliable and easy to work with. He takes the time to explain everything thoroughly. He’s always been available whenever needed for assistance.”

A. Olsen

“Josh is fantastic to work with! He does great work, communicates well, and will take care of all your needs. I mean it! No matter if you’re a business, an entrepreneur, or a freelancer, Josh will take care of you! Hit him up today.”

N. Laparra

“After a number of years of owning my own business, I understand the difficulty of understanding Wa. State tax laws, but after hiring Joshua, I feel confident in his ability to assist me with all the state and federal tax regulations and requirements. He has made payroll much simpler and my quarterly reports easy. I highly recommend Joshua!”

C. Worrell