Cleaning Service Permits & Licenses in Dover, NH

Required for all LLCs. Annual report required separately (see below). Fees current as of 2024.

Required for all LLCs. Online filing mandatory.

Required if using an assumed or trade name (DBA). Renewable every 5 years for $50.

Required for ALL businesses with nexus in NH (sales, payroll, or property). Covers Business Profits Tax, Business Enterprise Tax.

Most cleaning services are not subject to Sales Tax (service-based), but registration required if selling tangible goods.

ALL employers must carry workers' comp. Sole proprietors/LLC members exempt unless electing coverage.

Employers must provide a safe workplace, including training on hazardous chemicals (via HazCom standard), post OSHA Form 300A (if required), and provide access to safety data sheets (SDS). Cleaning services often use chemical agents requiring HazCom compliance.

Required for employers meeting wage/employee thresholds.

Cleaning services are generally not subject to New Hampshire sales tax unless they involve the sale of cleaning supplies or products to customers. If only labor is provided, no sales tax applies. However, if the business sells cleaning supplies to clients, those sales may be taxable and require registration.

Required for all employers paying wages to employees in New Hampshire. Must register before making first payroll. Includes obligation to withhold state income tax from employee wages.

Employers must register with NH Employment Security and pay quarterly unemployment insurance taxes. The first $16,500 in wages per employee is taxable. New employers pay a standard rate of 0.11% for 2024.

All businesses operating in New Hampshire with $150,000 or more in gross receipts, payroll, or property must file. The tax is imposed on business enterprise value (based on gross receipts, property, and payroll). Cleaning service LLCs exceeding the threshold must register and file Form BWT-1 annually.

Imposed on net income from business activity. Only applies if net profits exceed $50,000. LLCs treated as pass-through entities may pass income to members, but must still file if above threshold. Form BPT-1 must be filed annually.

Some New Hampshire towns and cities impose a local business tax or privilege tax on businesses operating within their jurisdiction. Examples include Manchester, Nashua, and Concord. Business owners must contact local town or city clerk to determine requirements. Not all municipalities impose this tax.

Required for federal tax reporting. Even single-member LLCs without employees may need an EIN if they file employment, excise, or pension tax returns. Obtained via IRS Form SS-4 online.

Federal unemployment tax requirement. Most employers in New Hampshire qualify for a credit reduction if they pay state unemployment taxes on time. Form 940 must be filed annually.

No industry-specific excise, tourism, or food service taxes apply to general cleaning services in New Hampshire. Cleaning services are not subject to special state-level excise taxes.

New Hampshire does not mandate a statewide local business license for cleaning services. Check specific city/county ordinances. Examples: City of Concord requires registration (no fee); Manchester requires a business registration ($50 initial).

Required in municipalities like Concord (Chapter 240 Zoning Ordinance) and Manchester (Sec. 17-2 Home Occupations). Cleaning services often qualify as home occupations if no on-site storage of chemicals/equipment.

Issued by local building departments (e.g., Nashua Building Division). State building code RSA 155-A applies locally.

Required in most NH municipalities per local zoning ordinances (e.g., Portsmouth Zoning Ordinance Article VII). Freestanding signs often $50+.

Standard commercial cleaning services exempt. Septic pumping requires DES registration (RSA 147).

Local fire departments enforce NFPA codes. Required for hazardous materials storage (cleaning chemicals).

Issued by local building officials post-inspection (RSA 155-A:2).

Common in urban areas (e.g., Salem Ordinance Chapter 115). False alarm fees escalate.

Site plan review required for commercial sites (Nashua Zoning Ordinance Sec. 190-XXX).

Enforced via municipal ordinances (e.g., Derry Code Chapter 30). No permit; complaint-based.

Required for all employers with one or more employees, including part-time workers. Sole proprietors and LLC members are not automatically considered employees unless they elect coverage. Coverage must be obtained through private insurers or the state fund (NH Workers' Compensation Assigned Risk Plan).

Not legally required by the state of New Hampshire for general operations, but strongly recommended. Often required by commercial landlords, clients, or contracts. Covers third-party bodily injury, property damage, and advertising injury.

Required for any vehicle used in business operations. Personal auto policies typically exclude business use. Minimum liability limits: $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident, $25,000 property damage (25/50/25).

Cleaning services are not classified as a regulated trade under NH law. No surety bond is required for general cleaning businesses unless performing work in a licensed trade (e.g., carpet cleaning with chemical treatment may fall under separate rules). Most cleaning businesses do not require a contractor’s license or bond in NH.

Not mandated by New Hampshire law. However, it is strongly recommended for cleaning services to cover claims of negligence, inadequate service, or damage to client property. Often required by commercial clients or contracts.

Only relevant if the business sells cleaning products directly to customers. Not required for services-only operations. If applicable, coverage is typically part of broader liability policies.

Not applicable to standard cleaning services. Only required if the business operates in a role involving alcohol service (e.g., event cleaning with alcohol service). Cleaning businesses do not typically require this unless they host or serve alcohol.

All LLCs with employees or that file employment, excise, or alcohol/tobacco/firearms tax returns must obtain an EIN. Single-member LLCs with no employees may use the owner’s SSN but are encouraged to get an EIN for liability separation.

LLCs are pass-through entities by default. Profits are taxed on owners’ personal returns. Single-member LLCs are disregarded entities; multi-member LLCs are treated as partnerships unless they elect corporate taxation.

Many municipalities in New Hampshire require an annual local business license. Requirements and fees vary. Examples include Manchester (due January 1), Nashua, and Concord. Contact local clerk’s office for specifics.

Form 940 reports Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) tax. Employers who paid $1,000 or more in wages in any calendar quarter must file. Most employers receive a 5.4% credit, reducing effective rate to 0.6%.

Employers must submit an annual statement to their workers’ compensation insurer detailing payroll, employee classifications, and job duties. This is part of the insurance renewal process and not filed directly with the state.

Employers must verify identity and work authorization using Form I-9. Employers must retain I-9 forms for 3 years after hire date or 1 year after employment ends, whichever is later.

Cleaning service employees must be paid at least $7.25/hour federally and receive overtime (1.5x regular rate) for hours over 40 in a workweek. Some states have higher minimums (NH currently $7.25), but federal law applies if state law is less strict.

Eligible employees (12 months with company, 1,250 hours worked) may take up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave annually for qualifying reasons. Most small cleaning services do not meet the 50-employee threshold.

All advertising must be truthful, not misleading, and substantiated. Cleaning services making claims about “green,” “eco-friendly,” or “disinfecting” must have proof. FTC also enforces the “Do Not Call” rules if telemarketing is used.

If the cleaning service operates under a 'doing business as' (DBA) name, it must register the trade name with the NH Department of Justice. Registration is valid for 5 years and must be renewed.

Trade name registrations expire after 5 years. Renewal must be filed before expiration to maintain legal standing and protection.

Any cleaning product making antimicrobial claims (e.g., “kills 99.9% of germs”) is regulated as a pesticide under FIFRA. Must use only EPA-registered products and follow label instructions exactly. No federal license required for general use, but applicators must comply with labeling.

Employers must provide safety data sheets (SDS), label containers, and train employees on chemical hazards. Cleaning products such as bleach, ammonia, and disinfectants often qualify as hazardous.

Most cleaning services operate at client sites and have no public-facing facility, so ADA Title III typically does not apply. If the business has a public office, minimal compliance (e.g., accessible entrance, restroom) may be required if readily achievable.

Businesses must register their calling number(s) with the National Do Not Call Registry and honor consumer opt-outs. Applies to all telemarketers, including small businesses.

All LLCs formed or registered in New Hampshire must file an annual report with the Secretary of State on the anniversary of the formation or registration date. The report confirms business information such as principal office address, registered agent, and management structure.

Cleaning services are subject to the Business Profits Tax (BPT) if net profits exceed $50,000 annually, or the Business Enterprise Tax (BET) if gross receipts plus commissions exceed $200,000. Both taxes are filed using Form BPT-252 or BET-252. Quarterly payments required if liability exceeds $200 annually.

An EIN is a one-time requirement for tax identification. It does not expire or require renewal. However, businesses must notify the IRS of changes in address, responsible party, or business structure.

New Hampshire does not impose a general sales tax. However, if a cleaning service sells tangible personal property (e.g., cleaning products) to customers, it may need to collect tax on those items. As of 2023, New Hampshire has no broad sales tax, but businesses must still register if involved in taxable transactions (e.g., certain services or rentals).

All employers in New Hampshire must carry workers’ compensation insurance. Coverage must be active from the first day of employment. Policies are typically renewed annually; employers must maintain current certificates and provide them upon request.

Employers must file Form NH-UISHR (Quarterly Wage and Tax Report) and pay unemployment insurance tax. New employers are assigned a beginning rate of 0.18% for 2024. Rate may change annually based on experience rating.

Employers must withhold federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare taxes. Deposit frequency depends on payroll size. Form 941 (Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Return) must be filed each quarter. Form 940 (Federal Unemployment Tax) is due annually by January 31.

Employers must display current federal and state labor law posters, including minimum wage, OSHA rights, and family medical leave. Posters must be updated when laws change. Available for free download from NH DOL and U.S. DOL websites.

Cleaning services are not automatically exempt. Employers with 10 or fewer employees are generally exempt from routine recordkeeping, but must still report serious incidents. All employers must report fatalities within 8 hours and hospitalizations within 24 hours.

Businesses must register with the NH Department of Revenue Administration within 60 days of starting operations. No renewal is required, but changes in business status (e.g., address, ownership) must be reported promptly.