Cleaning Service Permit Requirements in Billings, MT

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. Montana — No Sales Tax

   Montana has no state or local sales tax. Businesses do not need a sales tax permit. However, businesses must register with the Montana Department of Revenue for applicable business taxes (e.g., withholding, corporate income tax if applicable).

   Official government source

   Free (business registration)·Immediate (online via TransAction Portal)

   Free (business registration)

   Immediate (online via TransAction Portal)

2. Montana Workers' Compensation Insurance

   Montana 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. City of Billings — Business License (Finance Department)

   Billings requires a business license for any business activity conducted within the city — including home-based businesses and businesses located outside city limits that do business in Billings. The license documents payment of the city's annual business tax and is administered by the Finance Department. It is valid for one year from the month of issuance and must be renewed annually; a separate license is required for each business type and each location.

   Official government source

   Varies by business classification (annual business-license tax; some categories add employee-count and health fees). The city does not publish its Business Tax Fee Schedule online — contact City of Billings Finance, 406-657-8433, for current amounts.·1–3 weeks

   Varies by business classification (annual business-license tax; some categories add employee-count and health fees). The city does not publish its Business Tax Fee Schedule online — contact City of Billings Finance, 406-657-8433, for current amounts.

   1–3 weeks

2. Yellowstone County / Billings Home Occupation or DBA Registration

   A home-based cleaning service in Billings needs the standard city business license (home-based businesses are covered, subject to the zoning ordinance's home-occupation limits). If you operate under a trade name, register the assumed business name with the Montana Secretary of State ($20, renewed every five years) — Montana has no county-level DBA filing.

   Official government source

   City business license (annual business tax, amount varies by classification) + $20 Secretary of State assumed-business-name filing if using a trade name·1–2 weeks

   City business license (annual business tax, amount varies by classification) + $20 Secretary of State assumed-business-name filing if using a trade name

   1–2 weeks

Official Sources

• City of Billings City Clerk
• Montana — No Sales Tax

Related Guides