Montana Cleaning Business Start-up Laws
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 Montana 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
Sole proprietors and general partners who want a business name that does not include the owner(s) full names (for example, Janice 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 Montana.
Start with a statewide corporate business name search at the Montana Secretary of State’s online business search page.
Do Your Own Search Online For Business Names
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 online searches for “Crystal Clean Maid Service+Montana” 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.
Related:
Name Registration Details
Sole proprietors and general partners file for an Application for Registration of Assumed Business Name with the Montana Secretary of State.
The application form can be found through the Secretary of State’s Business Form page.
Name Rights
In the state of Montana, registering an Assumed Name or DBA (“doing business as”) name makes it difficult for other registered businesses to the use of the same name.
Other businesses in the state may not register the same assumed name.
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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 Montana.
Residential house cleaning businesses should check with the local city or county clerk-recorder’s office for licensing requirements.
Find a county website.
Related: Get more details about licensing your cleaning business.
General Partner Licensing
In Montana, a general partnership is created when two or more owners form an oral or written agreement to start a business together.
General partners are not required to file any documents with the Secretary of State.
It is advisable for general partners to file an assumed name or DBA.
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 Employment 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.
A Deep Guide to Cleaning Business Insurance
Protect your house cleaning business from the start with liability insurance and bonding. Also find out:
Business Tax Registration
Register online through Montana’s TransActionPortal (TAP).
Montana does not have a general sales, use, or transaction tax. House cleaning services do not have to collect and send sales taxes to the Department of Revenue.
Sole proprietors and general partners must pay taxes on the business income they earn through individual 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 Montana (on Form-IT) similar to the way self employment taxes are paid to the federal government.
Get more information about estimated tax requirements by calling the Montana Department of Revenue at (406) 444-6900.
Contact the Montana Department of Revenue online.
State Partnership Tax
Montana general partnerships that file a Federal partnership information Form 1065, may need to file state income tax Form PR-1.
Get more information from a CPA or qualified tax preparer to find out if your partnership must file those returns.
Selected Montana City Licenses
Billings Business License: https://ci.billings.mt.us/981/Business-Licenses
Bozeman Business License: https://www.bozeman.net/departments/community-development/business-licenses
Butte-Silver Bow Business License: https://co.silverbow.mt.us/494/Business-Licenses-Permits
Great Falls Business License: https://greatfallsmt.net/planning/licensing
Helena Business License: https://www.helenamt.gov/Departments/Finance/Forms
Missoula Business License: https://www.ci.missoula.mt.us/3288/Business-Licensing
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