License & permits · Florida
Starting a cleaning business in Florida
The big one in Florida: commercial cleaning is a taxable service. The Florida Department of Revenue lists interior nonresidential cleaning services among the taxable services you must register to collect sales tax on, and the general state rate is 6%.[1] If you'll clean offices, shops or other non-residential buildings, register before you invoice.
What you need in Florida
- Choose your structureSole proprietor or LLC. Compare structures. Florida LLCs file Articles of Organization with the Division of Corporations (Sunbiz); check the current fee there.
- Register your business nameIf you work under a name that isn't your legal name, most states require you to register it as a DBA.[2]
- Get your free EINOnline from the IRS in minutes.[3]
- Register for sales tax if you clean commercial buildingsThrough the Florida Department of Revenue.[1]
- Check your county and cityLocal licensing and zoning, including for a home-based business, are set locally.[2] Ask your county tax collector and city about a local business tax receipt.
Residential vs commercial cleaning in Florida
| Work | What we've verified |
|---|---|
| Offices, shops and other non-residential interiors | Taxable: interior nonresidential cleaning is on the Department of Revenue's list of taxable services.[1] |
| Homes, short-term rentals, mixed jobs | Read the Department's guide, Sales and Use Tax on Cleaning Services, which covers residential, transient rental and mixed work, before you price. |
Rule of thumb: decide which buildings you'll clean before you set prices, because commercial invoices in Florida carry sales tax on top. The price calculator gives your price before sales tax.
Free: the Cleaning Business Starter Kit
A one-page launch checklist and a room-by-room cleaning checklist you can hand to clients. PDF, no signup needed.
Questions people ask
Is commercial cleaning taxable in Florida?
Yes. The Florida Department of Revenue lists interior nonresidential cleaning services among taxable services; the general state rate is 6%.[1]
Do I need a license to clean houses in Florida?
Requirements depend on your activities and location; check your county and city for local business tax and zoning rules, and register your business name if you use one.[2]