Complete guide to permits and licenses required to start a cleaning service in Great Falls, MT. Fees, renewal cycles, and agency contacts.
Quarterly contributions required.
Required for all LLCs. Annual Report filing required thereafter ($20 fee, due April 15 annually).
Applies to all LLCs; failure to file leads to inactive status.
Renewal not required unless name changes; searchable public database.
General cleaning services (office/residential) typically exempt unless involving specialty trade work.
Quarterly returns due even if zero wages; applies if business has payroll.
Classification code 8320 (General Office Cleaning) typically applies. Coverage must be maintained even for part-time or family workers.
Cleaning services are generally not subject to sales tax in Montana unless tangible personal property (e.g., cleaning products) is sold. If only labor is provided, no sales tax applies. However, registration is required if selling taxable items.
Employers must withhold state income tax from employee wages and remit it to the Montana Department of Revenue. Registration is done via Form WH-1.
Employers with one or more employees must register for Unemployment Insurance (UI) tax. New employers are assigned a standard experience-rated tax rate starting at 2.7% (as of 2024), up to a taxable wage base of $16,800 per employee.
Default LLCs are pass-through entities and do not pay corporate income tax. If the LLC files IRS Form 8832 to elect corporate taxation, it must file Montana Form CIT to report income.
Montana does not impose a separate entity-level tax on LLCs by default. Instead, profits pass through to owners, who report income on their personal MT Individual Income Tax Return (Form IT-112).
Montana has no statewide general business license, but many cities (e.g., Billings, Missoula, Bozeman) require a local business license or privilege tax. For example, Billings requires a Business License Application (https://www.billingsmt.gov/business-license). Check with local clerk’s office.
All LLCs (except single-member LLCs with no employees) must obtain an EIN. Even if not required, most banks require an EIN to open a business account.
Recommended when the firm offers any consulting, green‑cleaning certifications, or specialized decontamination services.
Pure janitorial services that do not involve construction trades are not required to obtain a contractor’s license or bond.
General‑use pesticides do not require a license, but the business must still follow label directions and safety data sheet requirements.
If all waste is disposed of by a licensed hazardous‑waste hauler on-site, the permit may not be required.
Recommended if the firm expands into product sales.
Only required for businesses that sell or serve alcoholic beverages.
All LLCs that have employees, operate as a partnership, or elect to be taxed as a corporation must obtain an EIN.
LLC may elect to be taxed as an S corporation by filing Form 2553; then filing Form 1120‑S is required.
Even a single‑member LLC that hires employees must register for and remit these taxes.
Cleaning services must maintain Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all chemicals and provide employee training per 29 CFR 1910.1200.
Cleaning contractors must ensure that their services (e.g., scheduling, communication) are accessible to individuals with disabilities and that they do not discriminate in hiring.
Typical cleaning services using standard commercial cleaning chemicals usually do not generate hazardous waste above SQG thresholds, but must assess each chemical’s hazardous characteristics.
Most commercial cleaning products are pre‑cleared, but businesses must ensure products are not prohibited or restricted.
Cleaning services must avoid deceptive claims (e.g., “green” or “non‑toxic” without substantiation).
Even a small cleaning service must track hours, pay at least the federal minimum wage, and provide overtime pay.
Employers must retain I‑9 forms for 3 years after hire or 1 year after termination, whichever is later.
Most standard cleaning services do not transport hazardous waste; this applies only if the business contracts for hazardous waste disposal.
Small cleaning firms with fewer than 10 employees are exempt from OSHA recordkeeping.
Many small cleaning services do not provide such plans; include only if applicable.
All LLCs registered in Montana must file an Annual Report to maintain good standing. The filing can be completed online.
Quarterly Employer Report (Form WC‑1) must be submitted electronically.
Single-member LLCs report income on owner’s Form 1040 (Schedule C). Multi-member LLCs file Form 1065 (Partnership Return). Due date for partnerships is March 15. Owners receive Schedule K-1.
Employers may receive a credit of up to 5.4% for paying state unemployment taxes on time, reducing effective FUTA rate to 0.6%.
Check with your county health department. Some counties require registration; others only inspections. Not a state-wide mandate, but common for commercial cleaners.
Required for all businesses; cleaning services classified under general commercial
Cleaning service vehicles/equipment may trigger commercial zoning review
Municipal Code 17-215; freestanding signs over 32 sq ft require engineering review
Applies outside city limits; cleaning services fall under general business category
Cleaning chemical storage may require ventilation review
All commercial cleaning services require license regardless of employees
Storage rooms for chemicals/equipment trigger review
Required for hazardous materials storage (cleaning chemicals)
Lewis & Clark County defers to city licensing
Cleaning services typically permitted in commercial zones C-1 and above
Sole proprietors with no employees are exempt. Coverage limits are set by the policy; statutory benefit limits are defined in Mont. Code Ann. § 37‑1‑101.
Montana minimum liability limits are $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage (Mont. Code Ann. § 61‑2‑401).
While not mandated by Montana law, many commercial clients require a minimum of $1 million per occurrence.
Renewal can be completed online; the license must be displayed at the place of business.
Required federal posters (e.g., Fair Labor Standards Act, OSHA) must also be displayed; the state provides a combined poster package.
Includes posters for Minimum Wage, Equal Pay, Family & Medical Leave, etc.
Submit UI Wage Report (Form UI‑1) electronically via the UI Online portal.
Single‑member LLCs file Schedule C with personal return; multi‑member LLCs file Form 1065.
Required if the LLC expects to owe $1,000 or more in tax for the year.
Members report their share of LLC income on Montana Form 2.
Required if the LLC expects to owe $500 or more in Montana tax for the year.
Employers must post the OSHA 300A summary in a conspicuous place where employees can see it.
Renewal is completed online via the DEQ Permit Management System.
Inspection verifies fire extinguishers, exit signage, and safe storage of flammable cleaning chemicals.
Includes income statements, expense receipts, payroll records, workers’ comp certificates, and permit copies.
Proof of coverage must be kept on file and available for inspection.
The Corporate Transparency Act requires many companies, including cleaning services, to report information about their beneficial owners to FinCEN. This aims to prevent financial crimes by increasing transparency in business ownership, and the initial report has a fee of $0.00.
Currently, there is no industry-specific federal license required to operate a cleaning service according to the Small Business Administration (SBA). However, you still need to comply with federal regulations related to taxes, advertising, and potentially hazardous materials.
The FTC enforces rules against deceptive or unfair advertising practices. Non-compliance can result in cease-and-desist orders, civil penalties, and requirements for corrective advertising.
You should retain records of all income, expenses, invoices, receipts, and other financial documents related to your cleaning business. The IRS and Arizona Department of Revenue (ADOR) may require these records during an audit.
The current fee for Federal Income and Self-Employment Tax Filing is $160400.00, though this can vary depending on your specific business circumstances and filing method. It’s important to consult the IRS website or a tax professional for the most up-to-date information.
Permit Finder asks follow-up questions to give you an exact list of permits.
Find Your Permits