Cleaning Service Permit Requirements in Hartford, CT

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC or corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Connecticut Department of Revenue Services — Sales Tax Permit

   Required for all businesses selling tangible personal property or taxable services in Connecticut. Connecticut charges a 6.35% state sales tax and taxes certain services (broader base than many states). Register with the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services via myconneCT; a $100 registration fee applies.

   Official government source

   $100 (registration fee)·Immediate (online via myconneCT)

   $100 (registration fee)

   Immediate (online via myconneCT)

2. Connecticut Workers' Compensation Insurance

   Connecticut requires most employers to carry workers' compensation insurance for employees. Sole proprietors with no employees are generally exempt, but confirm with state requirements.

   Official government source

   Varies (typically $500–$2,000/year depending on payroll)·Immediate to 1 week

   Varies (typically $500–$2,000/year depending on payroll)

   Immediate to 1 week

1. No general Hartford business license (category-specific licenses only)

   Hartford does not require a general business license. The Licenses & Inspections Division licenses only specific regulated categories - food establishments, mobile vendors, laundromats, amusement devices, parking lots and similar activities. Service businesses such as plumbing, salons, tutoring, pet sitting or photography are not licensed by the city, though they may need a state license, zoning approval, or a certificate of occupancy for commercial space.

   Official government source

   No fee - Hartford issues no general business license·Not applicable

   No fee - Hartford issues no general business license

   Not applicable

2. Hartford Trade Name (DBA) Certificate and zoning compliance for home-based work

   If you use a business name other than your own, file a Trade Name Certificate with the Hartford Town & City Clerk - Connecticut has no county government, so there is no county clerk (CGS Sec. 35-1). The application must be notarized. If you run the cleaning business from your home, confirm with Hartford Development Services that the home-based use complies with the zoning regulations; a zoning verification letter costs $50 per parcel.

   Official government source

   $20 trade name filing, plus $5 if notarized at the clerk's office and $3 per certified copy; zoning verification letter $50 per parcel·Trade name certificates are filed in person at the Town & City Clerk's office

   $20 trade name filing, plus $5 if notarized at the clerk's office and $3 per certified copy; zoning verification letter $50 per parcel

   Trade name certificates are filed in person at the Town & City Clerk's office

Official Sources

• City of Hartford Licenses and Inspections Division
• Connecticut Department of Revenue Services — Sales Tax Permit

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