A Washington Department of Revenue account is not a City of Tacoma business license. You can owe both. Last checked August 29, 2026.
The desk
Tax & License
747 Market Street, Room 212, Tacoma, WA 98402
Phone: (253) 591-5252 — Monday–Friday 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
In person: Monday–Wednesday. Office page lists 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; the payment page lists 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Do not arrive Thursday expecting a counter.
Virtual Teams appointments: Monday–Friday 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Official: Tax & License · New license: New businesses
Apply or renew
- Online: FileLocal-wa.gov — license, renewal, B&O. User fees apply. New applications: plan on 3–5 business days.
- Phone pay: (253) 591-5252 automated line, city account number required. Visa, Mastercard, Discover, Amex. English, Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, Korean.
- Mail: application to Tax & License; payments City of Tacoma, P.O. Box 11640, Tacoma, WA 98411-6640. Put the contract account number on the check. Mail applications: up to 15 business days.
- Counter: Room 212. Payment due when you apply. After 4 p.m. they may take the packet and process it the next day. Metered parking on Market.
Rentals of real property use a different application. Start on the rental-business page, not the general form.
B&O
File frequency follows estimated annual gross receipts. FileLocal calculates the return. Due dates that land on a weekend or holiday move to the next business day. Classification changes hit January 1, 2026 across Washington cities — use the current FileLocal categories, not an old paper schedule.
General how-to on this site: Start a Business in Tacoma. City numbers: Civic Desk.