Cleaning Service Permit Requirements in Santa Fe, NM

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. New Mexico Taxation and Revenue — Gross Receipts Tax Registration

   New Mexico levies a GROSS RECEIPTS TAX (GRT) rather than a conventional sales tax, and it applies to goods AND most services performed in New Mexico. Register (free) with the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department for a Business Tax Identification Number. The state GRT rate is 4.875% (since July 1, 2023); combined state + local rates range from about 5.125% to just over 9% depending on your location code — use the department's official rate map.

   Official government source

   Free (no registration fee)·Immediate (online via Taxpayer Access Point)

   Free (no registration fee)

   Immediate (online via Taxpayer Access Point)

2. New Mexico Workers' Compensation Insurance

   New Mexico requires workers'-compensation coverage once a business has THREE or more employees (construction businesses: any number; owners working in the business count toward the three). Coverage is purchased from private carriers and administered by the New Mexico Workers' Compensation Administration. With no employees you are generally exempt — revisit immediately upon hiring.

   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 Santa Fe Planning and Land Use Department — Business License

   Santa Fe requires a business license for anyone conducting business within city limits, administered by the Business Licensing office of the city's Planning and Land Use Department. Applicants first register with the New Mexico Secretary of State (for entities) and obtain state gross receipts tax registration, then apply through the city's online self-service portal; a Certificate of Compliance inspection is part of issuance. Licenses are valid for one year and renewed annually.

   Official government source

   License fee plus a Certificate of Compliance inspection fee; amounts are invoiced by the city — confirm with Business Licensing (505-955-6551)·1–3 weeks

   License fee plus a Certificate of Compliance inspection fee; amounts are invoiced by the city — confirm with Business Licensing (505-955-6551)

   1–3 weeks

2. Santa Fe Business License for Home-Based Business

   If operating a cleaning service from your home in Santa Fe, you must obtain a City of Santa Fe business license, which includes zoning review of the home-based use and a home-occupancy inspection. New Mexico has no DBA (doing business as) registration - neither the Secretary of State nor county clerks register trade names; to protect a business name, form an entity with that name or register a state trademark.

   Official government source

   $35/year business license plus $175 home-occupancy inspection fee·1–2 weeks

   $35/year business license plus $175 home-occupancy inspection fee

   1–2 weeks

Official Sources

• City of Santa Fe City Clerk
• New Mexico Taxation and Revenue — Gross Receipts Tax Registration

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