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 Nevada Department of Taxation 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.

Start with a statewide corporate business name search.

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+Nevada” 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

Finish with a business name search at the County Clerk’s Office. Then register for a Fictitious Firm Name or DBA (“doing business as” name) at each county clerk’s office where the business will operate.

Have the Fictitious Firm Name or DBA form notarized.

Finally, file the Nevada Fictitious Firm Name application with the county clerk’s office. The county clerk may keep the original Fictitious Firm Name certificate, so be sure to request a couple of certified copies, one for the bank and one for your business records.  

Find a Nevada Clerk & Recorder.

Name Rights

In many Nevada counties, filing of a Fictitious Firm Name does not guarantee a business sole rights to the use of that name.

Other businesses in the county may also register the same Fictitious Firm Name. Registered businesses are expected to legally defend their trade names.

Business License Registration

All businesses in Nevada must be licensed by the state. 

Nevada provides a one-stop business license and tax registration portal:  Silver Flume.

When filling out the State Business License application as a sole proprietor, the business name should be your personal legal name, not a Fictitious Firm Name or DBA.

For example, Diane Morris is a sole proprietor, doing business as Marvelous Maid Service. Diane Morris is the name that should be entered into the name field. That personal legal name will be the primary name on the State Business License.

DBAs may be listed on the State Business License application in the “Associated Business Name” section of the license application.

In Nevada, sole proprietors can be individuals or married couples.

Related: Get more details about licensing your cleaning business.

General Partner Licensing

In Nevada, a general partnership is created when two or more owners form an oral or written agreement to start a business together.

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.

It is advisable for general partners to file a Fictitious Firm Name or DBA in the county where the business is based.

👥 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.

Business Tax Registration

Register through the Nevada Tax Center.

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

Related: Get a deeper understanding of cleaning business taxes.

Nevada has no personal income tax.

Sole proprietors and general partners do not owe tax to the state on personal income earned through their business, including estimated taxes or partnership taxes.

As of June 13, 2019, businesses whose Nevada gross revenue is less than $4,000,000. (four million dollars) yearly, are no longer required to file a commerce tax return.

Selected Nevada City Licenses

Carson City Business License: https://carson.org/government/departments-a-f/community-development/business-license-division

Henderson Business License: https://www.cityofhenderson.com/government/departments/finance/business-licensing/licensing-information

Las Vegas Business License: https://www.lasvegasnevada.gov/Business/Business-Licenses/Apply-For-A-Business-License

North Las Vegas Business License: https://www.cityofnorthlasvegas.com/business/business-licenses

Reno Business License:  https://www.reno.gov/government/departments/business-license/business-license-applications

Sparks Business License: https://www.cityofsparks.us/your_government/departments/business_licenses/index.php