Cleaning Service Permit Requirements in Silver Spring, MD

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. Maryland Comptroller — Sales Tax Registration

   Required for all businesses selling taxable goods or services in Maryland (6% state rate; Maryland has no local sales taxes). Retail product sales are taxable. Some services are also taxable — notably cleaning of a COMMERCIAL or industrial building (janitorial/commercial cleaning) under Md. Tax-General §11-101(m): commercial cleaning businesses must collect 6% on the service itself, while residential cleaning is not taxable. Sales of photographs (portrait/wedding) are taxable as tangible personal property. Registration with the Comptroller of Maryland is free.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online via bFile)

   Free

   Immediate (online via bFile)

2. Maryland Workers' Compensation Insurance

   Maryland 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. Montgomery County — No General Business License (activity-specific licenses only)

   Silver Spring is an unincorporated community in Montgomery County, so all local permits come from the county. Neither Maryland nor Montgomery County requires a general business license. Only specific activities are licensed by the Clerk of the Circuit Court License Department — e.g., retail sales require a Trader's License; garages, vending machines, and construction have their own licenses. Most service businesses need no county business license; confirm any activity-specific license with the Clerk's License Department (licenses expire April 30 annually).

   Official government source

   $0 for most businesses; Trader's License (retail only) fee varies by inventory value·Not applicable for most businesses; Trader's License typically issued within days

   $0 for most businesses; Trader's License (retail only) fee varies by inventory value

   Not applicable for most businesses; Trader's License typically issued within days

2. Home Occupation Rules and Trade Name (SDAT) Registration

   A cleaning service run from home in Silver Spring falls under Montgomery County zoning: a no-impact home occupation (no non-resident employees, no more than 5 customer vehicle visits per week, no retail sales) is permitted by right with no registration; otherwise register the home occupation with the county Department of Permitting Services. If using a trade name, file a Trade Name Application with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) — not the county clerk.

   Official government source

   $25 SDAT trade name filing ($75 with expedited service); $0 for a no-impact home occupation (DPS registration fee applies only if registration is required)·SDAT acknowledges trade name filings ordinarily within 4 weeks of acceptance; DPS home-occupation registration decided within about 10 days

   $25 SDAT trade name filing ($75 with expedited service); $0 for a no-impact home occupation (DPS registration fee applies only if registration is required)

   SDAT acknowledges trade name filings ordinarily within 4 weeks of acceptance; DPS home-occupation registration decided within about 10 days

Official Sources

• Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services
• Maryland Comptroller — Sales Tax Registration

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