Cleaning Service Permit Requirements in Charleston, WV

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. West Virginia State Tax Department — Business Registration

   Before engaging in business activity in West Virginia every individual or business entity must obtain a Business Registration Certificate from the WV Tax Division (WV Code §11-12-1 et seq.), applied for through the Business for West Virginia portal at business4.wv.gov or on form BUS-APP. A separate certificate is needed for each business name and each location. The certificate is permanent — it does not expire — until the legal name, location or ownership changes, and it must be surrendered when the business stops operating in West Virginia. It also authorises you to collect the 6% state sales tax plus any municipal sales tax of up to 1%.

   Official government source

   $30 one-time Business Registration Certificate fee, per business name and location·1–5 business days when filed online through the Business for West Virginia portal (business4.wv.gov); longer by paper BUS-APP

   $30 one-time Business Registration Certificate fee, per business name and location

   1–5 business days when filed online through the Business for West Virginia portal (business4.wv.gov); longer by paper BUS-APP

2. West Virginia Workers' Compensation Insurance

   West Virginia requires employers with employees to carry workers' compensation insurance, bought from one of the more than 350 private carriers writing in the state — West Virginia privatised its workers' compensation fund in 2006 and there is no state fund. Coverage is verified by the Offices of the Insurance Commissioner, and other agencies check it: the WV Contractor Licensing Board will not issue or renew a contractor licence without proof of workers' compensation and unemployment coverage. Sole proprietors, partners and members with no employees may apply to the Insurance Commissioner for an exemption from coverage.

   Official government source

   No state-set fee — premium is quoted by a private carrier from your payroll and classification code; sole proprietors with no employees may apply for an exemption at no premium cost·Immediate to 1 week

   No state-set fee — premium is quoted by a private carrier from your payroll and classification code; sole proprietors with no employees may apply for an exemption at no premium cost

   Immediate to 1 week

1. City of Charleston Office of the City Collector — Business Registration / General Business License

   Charleston requires businesses within city limits to register with the Office of the City Collector and obtain a General Business License (flat $20 fee), plus pay the city's Business & Occupation (B&O) privilege tax on gross receipts (rate varies by classification) and a City Service Fee of $3/week per employee working within city limits. Renewed annually and displayed at the place of business.

   Official government source

   $20 flat General Business License fee, plus B&O gross-receipts tax and $3/week per employee City Service Fee·1–3 weeks

   $20 flat General Business License fee, plus B&O gross-receipts tax and $3/week per employee City Service Fee

   1–3 weeks

2. Charleston Home-Based Business Designation / WV Trade Name (DBA) Registration

   If operating a cleaning service from home, indicate 'Home Based Business' on the standard Charleston Business Registration Application (Office of the City Collector) — there is no separate Home Occupation Permit. If using a trade name, file a DBA with the West Virginia Secretary of State (One Stop Business Portal), not the Kanawha County Clerk.

   Official government source

   $0 business registration add-on for home-based status; DBA is $0 for sole proprietors or $25 (+$1 online) for registered entities·1–2 weeks

   $0 business registration add-on for home-based status; DBA is $0 for sole proprietors or $25 (+$1 online) for registered entities

   1–2 weeks

Official Sources

• City of Charleston Business License Division
• West Virginia State Tax Department — Business Registration

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