You run a cleaning company in Florida, and somewhere between the invoices, supply costs, and client calls, you’ve realized: you’re not entirely sure which of your services should have sales tax on them. Maybe you’ve charged some clients but not others. Maybe you’ve skipped it altogether. Or maybe a client asked why you’re charging tax on one service but not another—and you didn’t have a solid answer. That confusion doesn’t make you careless; it makes you like most cleaning business owners who’ve never had someone clearly explain the Florida sales tax rules that actually apply to you.
Does this sound like you? You’re spending nights untangling receipts instead of growing the business. See how the platform categorizes it for you automatically — your first period is free for a limited time, no credit card required.
Does this apply to your business in Florida?
Yes, if you operate a cleaning business in Florida. The core rule: commercial cleaning is taxable at the state rate plus your county’s surtax; residential cleaning is generally not taxable. The Florida Department of Revenue requires you to separate these on every invoice and remit tax only on the taxable portion. This affects every cleaning company—from solo contractors to small teams.
How the rate works
Florida’s sales tax has two parts. The state sets a 6% base rate. On top of that, your county adds a surtax—a local amount that varies by county. The combined rate is 6% plus your county’s specific surtax percentage. For example, if your county surtax is 0.5%, your total is 6.5%. But county rates change and vary widely, so don’t guess. Visit floridarevenue.com and look up your county’s current combined rate, or use their rate calculator to confirm the exact figure for your area.
Here’s what matters: commercial cleaning—cleaning offices, retail spaces, restaurants, factories, warehouses—is taxable. Residential cleaning—cleaning someone’s home, apartment, or rental property where they live—is generally not taxed. This is the line you draw on every invoice. If you clean both types of clients, you must show the taxable and non-taxable amounts separately.
How to file step by step
You file your sales tax using a form called the DR-15, the sales tax return that all Florida businesses submit. Here’s the process you’ll follow.
First, log in to floridarevenue.com and navigate to the Florida Department of Revenue’s online filing system (often called FDOR Online Services or a similar portal). You’ll create or access your account using your sales tax registration number. If you don’t have one yet, apply for a Florida sales tax permit first—this also happens through the Department of Revenue.
Next, complete the DR-15 form itself. You’ll enter the total taxable sales (your commercial cleaning invoices) and apply the correct combined rate—that 6% state rate plus your county surtax—to calculate the tax you owe. The role of the Florida Department of Revenue and how to file is walked through step by step here. You’ll also report any tax you’ve already collected from clients, any discrepancies, and any adjustments.
Then, review everything for accuracy. Double-check that your residential and commercial totals are correct, that you’ve applied the right combined rate, and that your math is sound. Errors on the DR-15 can trigger notices from the Department of Revenue.
Finally, submit the form by the filing deadline. Sales tax returns are typically due by the 20th of the month following the period you’re reporting (so sales from January are reported by February 20th). Check your filing schedule with the Department of Revenue—some businesses file monthly, quarterly, or annually based on volume.
Once filed, you remit the tax you owe to the state. You can pay through the same portal, by check, or by electronic funds transfer. Keep copies of your DR-15 and your payment records for at least three years.
Common mistakes
Charging tax on residential work. The biggest error cleaning companies make is treating all cleaning the same way. You charge a client $500 to clean their home and add tax. Residential cleaning generally isn’t taxable under Florida law. You’ve overcharged your client and now owe that tax to the state even though you collected it for a service that shouldn’t have been taxed. Always confirm before you invoice: is this a residence or a commercial space? If you’re not sure, ask the client.
Mixing residential and commercial on one invoice. Say you clean an office building on Monday and the owner’s house on Wednesday, and you send one invoice for both. If you don’t separate the amounts, you either charge tax on everything (wrong) or nothing (also wrong and potentially a red flag to the Department of Revenue). Split the invoice into two line items or send two invoices—one taxable, one not. This protects you and shows the Department of Revenue you’re being intentional.
Forgetting about seasonal surges. Many cleaning businesses pick up extra work in spring or during holidays. You might hire contractors or subcontractors to handle the volume. You still owe sales tax on commercial cleaning revenue, even in a rush month. Don’t skip the DR-15 filing or miscalculate because you’re busy. Set a calendar reminder for your filing deadline and batch your invoices ahead of time.
Not keeping invoices organized. The Department of Revenue can audit your sales tax return. If they ask to see your invoices and you can’t quickly show which jobs were commercial and which were residential, you’ll struggle to defend your filing. Keep invoices in one place—organized by date or client type. Note whether each was taxable or not. This takes 10 minutes a week and saves you hours in an audit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is pressure washing taxable in Florida?
Pressure washing of a commercial building or parking lot is taxable. Pressure washing someone’s residential driveway or home exterior is generally not taxable, following the residential/commercial split. Always clarify what you’re cleaning and charge accordingly.
What if a client is a small business operating from their home?
If they run a business from their home—say, a therapist with an office in their house—the space is being used commercially. That cleaning would be taxable. The test is the use of the space, not the building type. When in doubt, ask the client directly what the space is used for.
Do I need to charge tax on supplies I provide during cleaning?
Generally, if you provide cleaning supplies as part of your service and include them in one price, the entire service is subject to tax (if it’s commercial) or not (if it’s residential). Don’t separate the supply cost unless you’re invoicing supplies separately. Consult your CPA or the Department of Revenue for specifics if you sell supplies without service.
Can I file my sales tax return myself, or do I need a CPA?
You can file the DR-15 yourself using the Florida Department of Revenue’s online portal. Many small cleaning company owners do. If your filing is straightforward—you clean commercial properties and charge the right rate—you don’t need professional help. If you have mix-ups, deductions, or questions, that’s when a CPA or bookkeeper adds value. Our complete Florida sales tax guide covers the full process, and platforms like ours can organize your transactions to make filing easier.
What happens if I file late or file wrong?
Late filings and errors can result in notices from the Department of Revenue asking for corrections or payment. The best approach is to file on time and accurately. If you make a mistake, contact the Department of Revenue to explain and file an amended return (called a DR-15X). Don’t ignore notices. Addressing them quickly shows good faith and often resolves things faster.
This article is for general educational purposes and isn’t a substitute for advice from a licensed CPA or tax attorney. Rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time—always confirm current requirements with the Florida Department of Revenue or your advisor.
Your next step
The difference between chaos and control in your cleaning business often comes down to one habit: correctly separating taxable from non-taxable work on every invoice. Once you do that, calculating and filing sales tax stops feeling mysterious. You know what you owe, when it’s due, and how to prove it. That confidence—and that organized data—is what working with a CPA should feel like: easier, not more dependent.
This article is for general educational purposes and isn’t a substitute for advice from a licensed CPA or tax attorney. Rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time — always confirm current requirements with the Florida Department of Revenue or your advisor.
If you are comparing this against your Florida sales tax obligations, the complete Florida sales tax guide is the best next stop.