Missouri Cleaning Business Start-up Laws

Missouri state flag

This article provides three key state business start-up requirements for self-employed sole proprietors and general partners who run residential house cleaning businesses.

Information from the Secretary of State, the Missouri Department of Revenue and selected city and county government sources were used to research this article.

Be aware that sole proprietor and general partner start-up requirements in this state are always changing. Some requirements even vary from county to county.

 It is important that you call or visit your local county or city government in person or online to find out local requirements for residential house cleaning businesses and home-based businesses.

This article is not intended to be exhaustive or a substitute for qualified legal or tax advice.

Business Name Registration

Missouri requires business owners that operate under a name other than their own “true (legal) name” to register that business name with the Secretary of State’s Office as a Fictitious Name Registration.

Sole proprietors and general partners who want a business name that does not include the owner(s) full names (for example, Janice K. Smith’s Cleaning Service or Martha Harris and Tom Graham’s Maid Service) need to find out whether the name they want to use is available in the state of Missouri.

Start with a statewide corporate business name search.

Do Your Own Search Online For Business Names

Google Search for Crystal Clean Maid Service example
Google Search example for a (very popular!) cleaning business name

Then do an online search for names similar to the one you plan to use. For example, if you want to use the name, Crystal Clean Maid Service, do simple Google searches for “Crystal Clean Maid Service+Missouri” plus Crystal Clean Maid Service+your county” and “Crystal Clean Maid Service+your town or city”.

Search beyond the first page of results. Go at least five pages deep into the search results to see if the name you want or similar names are being used in your state, county or city.

Name Registration Details

File a Fictitious Name Registration online through the Secretary of State’s business portal.

The business portal includes:

Name Rights

In the state of Missouri, filing a Fictitious Name Registration or DBA (“doing business as” name) does not guarantee a business sole rights to the use of that name.

Other businesses in the state may also register the same fictitious name. Registered businesses are expected to legally defend their fictitious names.

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Business License Registration

Sole proprietors and general partners do not have to apply for a business license with the state of Missouri.

Residential house cleaning businesses should check with their local city clerk’s office for licensing requirements.  

Find a City Clerk in Missouri.   (Look under the heading of  “Tap these organizations to get help with registrations, licenses and permits”.)

Related: Get more details about licensing your cleaning business.

General Partner Licensing

In Missouri, a general partnership is created when two or more owners form an oral or written agreement to start a business together It is advisable for general partners to file a Fictitious Name or DBA in the city where the business is based.

A written partnership agreement drawn up by a lawyer is important for both or all partners. Partnership agreements do not have to be filed with the state.

👥 Start a solid partnership with help from the Business Partnership Portal.

How An EIN Helps

Sole proprietors and general partners may apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS even if they do not plan to hire employees.

Getting an EIN may make it easier to open a bank account and reduce your risk of identity theft.

You can apply for an EIN online.

In addition, some business registration forms will require a NAICS business classification number for the house cleaning industry.

Woman holding a yellow umbrella as insurance for rainy days

A Deep Guide to Cleaning Business Insurance

Protect your house cleaning business from the start with liability insurance and bonding. Also find out:

  • what types of coverage you need.
  • the difference between bonding and insurance?
  • how to find a commercial agent.

Business Tax Registration

Register a new business online with the Missouri Department of Revenue.

Residential house cleaning services are not taxable in Missouri. House cleaning services do not have to collect and send sales taxes to the Department of Revenue.

Sole proprietorships and general partnerships must report business income as individual taxpayers on their Missouri state income tax returns.

Related: Get a deeper understanding of cleaning business taxes.

State Estimated Tax

Sole proprietors and general partners are responsible for paying estimated self-employment income taxes in Missouri (on Form MO-1040ES) similar to the way self employment taxes are paid to the federal government.

Get more information about estimated tax requirements by calling the Missouri Department of Revenue at (573) 751-3505.

State Partnership Tax

Missouri general partnerships that file a Federal partnership information Form 1065, may need to file a Missouri Partnership Return of Income Form MO-1065. Get more information from a CPA or qualified tax preparer to find out if your partnership must file those returns.

Selected Missouri City Licenses

Columbia Business License: https://www.como.gov/finance/business-licenses/business-license/

Independence Business License: https://beta.ci.independence.mo.us.ifsight.net/government/city-departments/community-development/business-license-liquor-license-and-employee-permitting

Kansas City Business License: https://www.kcmo.gov/city-hall/departments/finance/tax-home/tax-forms

Lee’s Summit Business License: https://cityofls.net/development-services/doing-business/business-and-contractor-licensing

O’Fallon Business License:  https://www.ofallon.mo.us/economic-development

St. Charles Business License: https://www.stcharlescitymo.gov/263/Business-Licenses

St. Joseph Business License: https://www.stjoemo.info/index.aspx?NID=433

St. Louis Business License: https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/license/business-license-info/index.cfm

10 Comments

  1. Hannah Young says:

    Hi, i’m looking to start cleaning a couple houses a week to make extra money for my family. Do I need to obtain a license or carry insurance? I want to make sure I do the right thing

    1. Hi Hannah,

      If you plan to earn more than $400 with your house cleaning service, you do need to get licensed, bonded, insured and register for taxes.

  2. what kind of business licence is needed for a cleaning business in st. charles county?

    1. Hi Missy,

      You should check the St. Charles County website for the most accurate information. You may have to call the County Clerk or Director’s office.

      Every city, county and state has a website to provide information to brand new business owners.

  3. I’m starting a cleaning business in Lebanon,MO. What do I need?

    1. Hi John,

      You need to start by contacting your city clerk for local licensing information.

      Business name and tax registration are also needed. Links for city clerks, state business name information and tax registration can be found on this page.

  4. I have people in different cities/counties around the area that want me to clean for them. Do I need to register in each city I clean in, or just where I live, where the ‘business is located’?

    1. Hi Lindsey,

      While Missouri has city-based license registration, your question is best answered by your local city clerk’s office. Every city, county and state has a website. You can go online to get your city clerk’s phone number or email address.

  5. Julie Montgomery says:

    Do you, by any chance know what would be required in Springfield, MO? I will research but would really hate to overlook some important detail.

    1. Hi Julie,

      Like every city, county and state, Springfield has a website that provides licensing and tax information for business start-ups.

      Business licensing and other information for Springfield, MO can be found here.

      Some cities and counties also require home occupation licenses if you plan to run a home-based business.

Comments are closed.