Cleaning Service Permit Requirements in Virginia Beach, VA

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

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

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online)

   Free

   Immediate (online)

1. Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) Business Registration

   All formal business entities (LLC, corporation) operating in Virginia must register with the Virginia State Corporation Commission. An LLC is common for cleaning businesses and costs approximately $100 to file. Sole proprietors using only their legal name are not required to register with the SCC.

   Official government source

   $100 (LLC filing fee)·1–2 weeks

   $100 (LLC filing fee)

   1–2 weeks

2. Virginia Department of Taxation Sales Tax Registration

   Cleaning services in Virginia are generally exempt from sales tax as a personal/professional service under Code of Virginia §58.1-609.5(1) — the tax does not apply to service labor. If a cleaning business also sells tangible cleaning products at retail, those retail sales are taxable and require registration with the Virginia Department of Taxation.

   Official government source

   Free·1 week (online)

   Free

   1 week (online)

1. Virginia Beach BPOL License (Business, Professional, Occupational License)

   Virginia Beach requires all businesses to obtain a BPOL license from the Commissioner of Revenue. This is Virginia Beach's primary business operating license, a system unique to Virginia's independent cities. The fee is based on gross receipts with a minimum flat fee for small businesses. Cleaning services are classified under the service business category. The license must be renewed annually by March 1.

   Official government source

   $25/year (gross receipts ≤$25,000), $40/year (≤$100,000), $50/year (≤$200,000) — flat tiered fee; above $200,000, taxed at $0.36 per $100 of gross receipts (General Services rate; Contracting is $0.16/$100, Retail Merchant $0.20/$100, Professional/financial/real estate $0.58/$100).·1–2 weeks

   $25/year (gross receipts ≤$25,000), $40/year (≤$100,000), $50/year (≤$200,000) — flat tiered fee; above $200,000, taxed at $0.36 per $100 of gross receipts (General Services rate; Contracting is $0.16/$100, Retail Merchant $0.20/$100, Professional/financial/real estate $0.58/$100).

   1–2 weeks

Official Sources

• Virginia Beach Commissioner of Revenue — Business License (BPOL)
• Virginia State Corporation Commission — Business Registration
• Virginia Department of Taxation — Sales Tax

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