Cleaning Service Permit Requirements in Huntington, 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 Huntington Finance Department — General Business License

   Huntington requires a General Business License for businesses operating within city limits. The Finance Department processes applications; a copy of the WV Business Registration Certificate is required. The license must be renewed annually (July 1-June 30) and displayed at your place of business. A Business & Occupation gross-receipts tax and a $5/week/employee City Service Fee apply separately.

   Official government source

   $20 flat annual fee, plus B&O gross-receipts tax and $5/week/employee City Service Fee·1–3 weeks

   $20 flat annual fee, plus B&O gross-receipts tax and $5/week/employee City Service Fee

   1–3 weeks

2. Huntington Home Occupation Permit and WV Trade Name (DBA) Registration

   A cleaning service run from a home inside Huntington city limits requires a Home Occupation Permit, applied for at the Planning and Zoning office, which verifies the use is compatible with the neighborhood under City Code §1341.22. Once the home occupation is approved, register the business with the Finance Department for a Huntington Business License; you cannot open until both are issued. If using a trade name, file the trade name registration with the West Virginia Secretary of State — Cabell County Clerk does not accept WV trade name filings.

   Official government source

   $30 Home Occupation Permit application, plus the $20/year Huntington Business License. WV Secretary of State trade name filing: no fee for a sole proprietor, individual or general partnership; $25 for an LLC, corporation or other registered entity; plus $1 online processing.·1–2 weeks

   $30 Home Occupation Permit application, plus the $20/year Huntington Business License. WV Secretary of State trade name filing: no fee for a sole proprietor, individual or general partnership; $25 for an LLC, corporation or other registered entity; plus $1 online processing.

   1–2 weeks

Official Sources

• City of Huntington City Clerk
• West Virginia State Tax Department — Business Registration

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