OLYMPIA, Washington, November 24, 2008 — Washington State today launched a multi-agency streaming video that gives new and small businesses easy-to-understand basics on how to plan for, prepare, and pay their state business taxes and insurance premiums.

The video guides business owners through the process as they face their tax reports. It answers basic questions, such as:

· which taxes, and what rate, businesses will have to pay;

· how and when to file their state taxes, and

· what steps a business owner should take to plan ahead.

"Small businesses play a critical role in growing our state's economy," Governor Chris Gregoire said, "We need to provide Washington's small business owners with as much information as possible so they can successfully develop and build their companies - and this video helps achieve that. A strong business climate will keep Washingtonians employed, and contribute to our state's growth."

A Dun and Bradstreet study finds that 90 percent of small businesses that get help from a Small Business Development Center or other source of expert assistance were still in business after five years. As a result, the video includes a list of resources for businesses seeking help. It is also being distributed to business advisors in Small Business Development Centers located around the state.

The video was produced by the Departments of Labor and Industries, Employment Security and Revenue in response to requests from attendees at the 2007 small business roundtable events to understand more about Washington's business taxes. The video, which is also available in closed caption for the hearing impaired, can be found at http://business.wa.gov/tax_video.aspx.

For more information, contact Karen Pemerl, (360) 902-0529