Complete guide to permits and licenses required to start a tax preparer in Varies by municipality (zoning ordinance), WV. Fees, renewal cycles, and agency contacts.
Certificate of Filing for Domestic LLC
West Virginia Secretary of State - Business & Licensing Division
Required Fee: $100.00-$100.00
Renewal: one time
Type: registration
Required for all LLCs formed in WV. Annual report required separately (see below).
Annual Report for LLC
West Virginia Secretary of State - Business & Licensing Division
Required Fee: $25.00-$25.00
Renewal: annual
Type: registration
Applies to all active LLCs. Filing maintains good standing.
Assumed Name Registration (DBA)
West Virginia Secretary of State - Business & Licensing Division
May Apply Fee: $25.00-$25.00
Renewal: one time
Type: registration
Renewal every 10 years for $25. Not required if using exact legal name.
West Virginia Business Registration Certificate (Tax Registration)
West Virginia State Tax Department
May Apply Renewal: one time
Type: registration
Required for businesses with nexus (sales, employees, etc.). Tax preparers typically register if charging sales-taxable fees.
Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN)
Internal Revenue Service
Required Fee: $30.99-$30.99
Renewal: annual
Type: registration
Mandatory for all paid tax return preparers. Applies to owners/employees preparing returns.
Electronic Filing Identification Number (EFIN)
Internal Revenue Service
May Apply Fee: $0.00-$0.00
Renewal: one time
Type: registration
Required for businesses e-filing federal returns. Suitability check required.
West Virginia Sales Tax License
West Virginia State Tax Department
May Apply Fee: $0.00-$0.00
Renewal: one time
Type: license
Tax preparer services are subject to 6-7% sales tax depending on location.
County Business and Occupation Tax Registration
West Virginia State Tax Department
Required Fee: $0.00-$0.00
Renewal: one time
Type: registration
All businesses including tax preparers must register for B&O tax with county assessor; tax rates set by county commission (e.g., Huntington 0.25% service rate)
City Business License (Municipal Privilege Tax)
City of Huntington Finance Department (example; varies by city)
May Apply Fee: $50.00-$100.00
Renewal: annual
Type: license
Required in most WV municipalities for tax preparers; check specific city clerk. Not required in unincorporated areas.
Home Occupation Permit
Local Zoning Office / Planning Commission
May Apply Fee: $25.00-$100.00
Renewal: one time
Type: permit
WV county zoning ordinances generally allow home occupations with limits on traffic/clients; e.g., Kanawha County Zoning Ordinance Sec. 40.3. No statewide list; verify with county planner.
Zoning Compliance Verification
Local Planning Department
May Apply Fee: $0.00-$50.00
Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Confirm use complies with local zoning (professional offices typically permitted); contact county planning (e.g., Jefferson County: https://www.jeffersoncountyWV.gov/planning)
Building Permit for Interior Modifications
Local Building Department
May Apply Fee: $100.00-$1000.00
Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Required under WV State Fire Commission Uniform Building Code; tax preparer offices rarely trigger unless renovating
Sign Permit
City or County Planning Department
May Apply Fee: $25.00-$100.00
Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Subject to local sign ordinances (size, lighting restrictions); not required for window signs only
Fire Safety Inspection/Certificate of Occupancy
Local Fire Department or State Fire Marshal
May Apply Fee: $50.00-$150.00
Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Required for public assembly or commercial spaces; tax preparer offices typically low-risk
Burglar/Fire Alarm Permit
Local Police or Fire Department
May Apply Fee: $50.00-$100.00
Renewal: annual
Type: permit
Common in urban areas to reduce false alarms; not required for unmonitored systems
Workers' Compensation Insurance
West Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission
May Apply Renewal: one time
Type: certificate
West Virginia law requires any employer with at least one employee to carry workers’ comp. The LLC owner is exempt unless they have employees.
General Liability Insurance
West Virginia Department of Commerce (Business Services)
Required Fee: $400.00-$400.00
Renewal: one time
Type: certificate
While not required, many clients and landlords request proof of general liability.
Professional Liability (Errors & Omissions) Insurance
Not a statutory requirement in West Virginia; recommended by the West Virginia Board of Education for private tutoring centers.
Required Fee: $600.00-$600.00
Renewal: one time
Type: certificate
Professional liability protects against client claims of negligence or mistakes in tax filings.
Tax Preparer Surety Bond
West Virginia Department of Revenue – Tax Preparer Registration
Required Fee: $10000.00-$10000.00
Renewal: annual
Type: certificate
West Virginia law (W.Va. Code §11‑13‑1) requires all tax preparers to register and post a $10,000 surety bond before providing services.
Commercial Auto Insurance
West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
May Apply Fee: $1200.00-$1200.00
Renewal: one time
Type: certificate
Standard minimum liability is $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident, and $10,000 for property damage.
Product Liability Insurance
West Virginia Department of Commerce (Business Services)
Required Fee: $400.00-$400.00
Renewal: one time
Type: certificate
Only relevant if the LLC sells tangible goods; not required for pure tax‑preparation services.
Liquor Liability Insurance
West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Administration
Required Fee: $1.00-$1.00
Renewal: one time
Type: certificate
Required only for establishments that sell or serve alcoholic beverages.
Industry‑Specific Insurance Mandate – Tax Preparer Bond (see above)
West Virginia Department of Revenue
Required Renewal: annual
Type: certificate
This entry consolidates the bond requirement specific to the tax‑preparer industry.
Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Required Renewal: one time
Type: registration
Required for any LLC that files a federal tax return, opens a bank account, or has employees.
Federal Income Tax Return Filing (LLC)
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Required Renewal: annual
Type: filing
LLC may elect corporate taxation (Form 8832); deadlines then follow corporate filing rules.
Employment Tax Filings (Form 941, Form 940, Form W‑2, Form W‑3)
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
May Apply Renewal: annual
Type: filing
Even a single‑member LLC that hires employees must comply.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Recordkeeping & Posting
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
May Apply Renewal: annual
Type: permit
Most small tax‑preparer offices will need only the poster; full log required only when employee count reaches 10.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title I Compliance
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) – Civil Rights Division
May Apply Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Even with fewer employees, the LLC must provide reasonable accommodations to clients with disabilities under the ADA’s public‑accommodation provisions.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Advertising & Consumer Protection Compliance
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Required Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Tax preparers must not make false promises about refunds, audit protection, or qualifications.
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Wage & Hour Requirements
U.S. Department of Labor – Wage and Hour Division (DOL)
May Apply Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Includes minimum wage, overtime, recordkeeping, and child‑labor rules.
Form I‑9 Employment Eligibility Verification
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
May Apply Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Must be stored securely; electronic storage is permitted.
Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) Filing (Form 940)
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
May Apply Renewal: annual
Type: filing
Most small tax‑preparer firms with minimal payroll may be exempt if they meet the $1,500 threshold.
Information Returns – Form 1099‑NEC Filing
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
May Apply Renewal: annual
Type: filing
Electronic filing is required if 250+ forms are filed.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) “Truth in Advertising” for Tax Services
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Required Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Tax preparers must avoid deceptive claims such as guaranteed refunds or audit protection unless substantiated.
West Virginia Annual Report (LLC)
West Virginia Secretary of State – Division of Business & Licensing
Required Fee: $25.00-$25.00
Renewal: annual
Type: filing
File online via the Secretary of State portal. The filing includes basic company information and the fee.
West Virginia Tax Preparer Registration Renewal
West Virginia Department of Revenue – Tax Preparer Registration
Required Fee: $50.00-$50.00
Renewal: annual
Type: license
Renewal is required to continue preparing West Virginia individual and business returns. Must maintain a valid PTIN.
IRS Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) Renewal
Internal Revenue Service
Required Fee: $41.00-$41.00
Renewal: annual
Type: license
Renew online via the IRS PTIN system. Required for any paid federal tax return preparation.
Continuing Education for West Virginia Tax Preparers
West Virginia Department of Revenue – Tax Preparer Education
Required Fee: $100.00-$100.00
Renewal: annual
Type: certificate
Minimum 15 hours of approved CE, including at least 3 hours on ethics.
West Virginia Corporate Income Tax Estimated Payments
West Virginia State Tax Department
May Apply Renewal: varies
Type: permit
If the LLC elects corporate taxation, quarterly estimated payments are required.
West Virginia Pass‑Through Entity Tax (PTET) Estimated Payments
West Virginia State Tax Department
May Apply Renewal: varies
Type: permit
West Virginia requires PTET payments for pass‑through entities beginning tax year 2022.
West Virginia Annual Income Tax Return (Form IT‑140 or IT‑165)
West Virginia State Tax Department
May Apply Renewal: annual
Type: filing
Attach Schedule K‑1s for partners/shareholders as required.
Federal Income Tax Return (Form 1120 or 1065)
Internal Revenue Service
May Apply Renewal: annual
Type: filing
If filing extension, Form 7004 (corporation) or Form 4868 (partnership) extends filing deadline by 6 months.
West Virginia Quarterly Withholding Tax Return (Form WV‑100)
West Virginia Department of Revenue – Withholding Tax Division
May Apply Renewal: varies
Type: filing
Electronic filing via WV Tax e‑File is required for most employers.
West Virginia Quarterly Unemployment Insurance (UI) Report
West Virginia Department of Labor – Unemployment Insurance Division
May Apply Renewal: varies
Type: filing
Report via the WV UI Online portal.
Record Retention – Tax and Financial Documents
West Virginia State Tax Department – Publication 10 (Record Keeping)
Required Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Include copies of returns, supporting schedules, payroll records, and business expense documentation.
Labor Law Poster Display
West Virginia Department of Labor – Labor Law Posters
May Apply Fee: $25.00-$25.00
Renewal: one time
Type: permit
Includes Minimum Wage, Workers’ Compensation, Unemployment Insurance, and OSHA posters.
Local Business License Renewal (Example: Charleston, WV)
City of Charleston – Business Licensing Division
May Apply Fee: $50.00-$50.00
Renewal: annual
Type: license
Check with the specific city or county where the office is located; many West Virginia jurisdictions require a general business license.
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