Starting a cleaning business in Mississippi typically costs $1,000 to $5,000 depending on your business structure and insurance needs. Each state has different rules for registration, taxes, and workers' compensation. This guide covers everything you need to start a cleaning business in Mississippi, including filing fees, licenses, insurance, labor laws, and local tips.
Why Start a Cleaning Business in Mississippi?
Mississippi has the lowest cost of living in the country. This makes it one of the cheapest places to start a business. The filing fee for a limited liability company is only $50.
The state has no annual report requirement for limited liability companies. This saves you time and money each year. Few states offer this benefit.
Jackson, the Gulf Coast, and DeSoto County near Memphis all have growing demand. Low competition and low costs give you a strong start.
Read our general How to Start a Cleaning Business guide first. This Mississippi guide adds the state-specific steps you need on top of those basics.
How Do You Choose a Business Structure?
You need to decide how to set up your business. Mississippi offers two main choices for cleaning companies.
Sole Proprietorship
This is the simplest way to start. You do not file anything with the state. Mississippi considers you a sole owner right away.
If you want a business name, file a Doing Business As form with the county chancery clerk. The fee is small.
The downside is you have no personal protection. If something goes wrong, your personal savings are at risk.
Limited Liability Company
This is the better choice for most cleaning businesses. It keeps your personal money separate from your business. If a client sues, your personal savings stay protected.
To form one in Mississippi, file a Certificate of Formation. You do this online through the Secretary of State website. The filing fee is only $50.
Mississippi does not require an annual report for limited liability companies. This is a big advantage. Once you file, you just maintain your business without extra paperwork.
Choose a limited liability company. The $50 filing fee is one of the cheapest in the country. No annual report means less paperwork. The liability protection is worth the cost.
- sos.ms.gov — File your Certificate of Formation for a limited liability company
How Do You Get an Employer Identification Number and Tax Accounts?
An Employer Identification Number is a free number from the federal government. You need it to open a business bank account. You also need it to file taxes and hire workers.
Apply for free at the Internal Revenue Service website. You get your number right away when you apply online.
Mississippi Income Tax
Mississippi has a state income tax. The first $10,000 of taxable income is tax-free. Rates are 0 to 5 percent above that. Your cleaning business income passes through to your personal tax return.
You may need to make quarterly estimated payments. The Mississippi Department of Revenue handles all state tax filings.
Cleaning Services and Sales Tax
This is important: cleaning services are taxable in Mississippi. The state sales tax rate is 7 percent. Mississippi has a simple tax system with no additional local sales taxes in most areas.
You must collect 7 percent sales tax from your clients on every job. Get a free sales tax permit before you start charging clients.
Cleaning services are taxable in Mississippi at a flat 7 percent. The good news is the rate is the same everywhere in the state. Get your sales tax permit before your first job.
- irs.gov — Apply for a free Employer Identification Number (never pay for this)
- dor.ms.gov — Mississippi Department of Revenue — sales tax permits and filing
What Licenses and Permits Do You Need?
Mississippi has no statewide business license for cleaning. There is also no special cleaning license at the state level. This keeps things simple.
However, cities and counties may require local business licenses. Requirements vary by where you are located.
Local Business Licenses
Jackson and other cities may require a local privilege license. Check with your city clerk or county chancery clerk before you start.
Fees are usually low. Most range from $25 to $100 per year.
Sales Tax Permit
Since cleaning services are taxable, you need a sales tax permit. This is free from the Mississippi Department of Revenue. Apply online before you start charging clients.
- dor.ms.gov — Free sales tax permit application
What Insurance Do You Need?
Insurance protects you from one bad day ending your business. Mississippi requires some types of coverage. Here is what you need.
- General liability insurance — Covers property damage and injuries at a client's home or office. Costs $400 to $1,200 per year. Every cleaning business needs this
- Workers' compensation insurance — Required in Mississippi for employers with five or more employees. You must get coverage before your fifth hire starts
- Surety bond — Protects clients if an employee steals something. Not required but highly recommended. Costs $100 to $500 per year
- Commercial auto insurance — Needed if you use a vehicle for business. Mississippi requires minimum liability coverage on all vehicles
For more details on each type of coverage, read our Cleaning Business Insurance Guide.
Workers' compensation is required in Mississippi once you have five or more employees. You can hire up to four workers without it. But general liability insurance is still essential from day one.
What Are Mississippi Labor Laws?
If you plan to hire workers, you need to follow Mississippi labor laws from day one.
Minimum Wage
Mississippi has no state minimum wage law. The federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour applies to all workers.
Most cleaning businesses pay $9 to $15 per hour to attract good workers. The very low cost of living means even modest wages provide a good standard of living.
Worker Classification
Mississippi follows federal standards for worker classification. Cleaning workers who follow your schedule usually count as employees. Classifying them wrong leads to fines.
When in doubt, hire them as employees.
Unemployment Insurance
When you hire employees, register for unemployment insurance. Register through the Mississippi Department of Employment Security. New employers pay a starting rate.
- mdes.ms.gov — Mississippi Department of Employment Security — unemployment insurance and employer information
What Safety Rules Apply?
Mississippi uses federal workplace safety rules. The state does not have its own safety agency. Federal offices in Mississippi oversee workplace safety.
Hazard Communication
You must keep Safety Data Sheets for every cleaning chemical you use. Train your workers on each product they handle. Show them what to do if a spill happens.
Heat and Humidity Safety
Mississippi is hot and humid for much of the year. Workers face heat risks when cleaning without air conditioning. Make sure workers stay hydrated and take regular breaks.
Watch for mold in humid areas. Train your workers to spot mold and handle it safely.
How Do You Set Cleaning Prices in Mississippi?
Mississippi has the lowest cost of living in the country. Prices are lower than national averages. But your costs are lower too.
Typical pricing ranges in Mississippi:
- Home cleaning (hourly) — $18 to $35 per hour
- Home cleaning (flat rate) — $80 to $200 for a standard 3-bedroom home
- Deep cleaning — $140 to $320 depending on home size
- Move-in or move-out cleaning — $160 to $375
- Office cleaning — $0.04 to $0.10 per square foot
Remember to add 7 percent sales tax on top of your prices. Use our Price Calculator to find the right rate for your area.
For detailed city-by-city pricing data, see our full Cleaning Business Prices in Mississippi guide.
What Cleaning Niches Are Profitable in Mississippi?
Mississippi has cleaning niches that do especially well. The state's mix of suburbs, casinos, and college towns creates options.
Jackson Suburban Cleaning
Madison and Ridgeland are affluent suburbs north of Jackson. These communities have large homes and families who pay for quality cleaning. Less competition exists here than in bigger cities.
Gulf Coast Casino and Tourism Cleaning
Biloxi and Gulfport have casinos and beachfront properties. Hotels, vacation rentals, and entertainment venues need regular cleaning. This creates steady work year-round.
DeSoto County Suburban Cleaning
DeSoto County sits just south of Memphis, Tennessee. Olive Branch, Southaven, and Hernando are growing fast. New homes and families create strong demand for cleaning.
College Town Cleaning
Oxford is home to the University of Mississippi. Starkville has Mississippi State University. Students and professors need cleaning services. Move-out cleaning stays busy at semester end.
Military Base Cleaning
Keesler Air Force Base is in Biloxi. Columbus Air Force Base is in Columbus. Military families move often and need cleaning when they leave housing.
Mississippi has less competition than most states. You can build a client base faster here. Focus on quality and word-of-mouth referrals. They matter even more in tight-knit communities.
How Do You Market a Cleaning Business in Mississippi?
Getting clients in Mississippi follows the same steps as most states. Here are strategies that work well.
Google Business Profile
Set up your profile with your city, services, and photos. Ask every happy client for a Google review. Most people search online first.
Facebook and Word of Mouth
Mississippi communities are tight-knit. Facebook groups are very active in most cities. Share helpful tips and build relationships. Word of mouth spreads fast here.
Church and Community Groups
Church communities are important in Mississippi. Let your church family know about your business. Ask satisfied clients to tell their friends and neighbors.
For a complete marketing plan, read our Marketing Your Cleaning Business guide and How to Get Cleaning Clients Fast.
How Much Does It Cost to Start in Mississippi?
Mississippi is the cheapest state to start a cleaning business. Low filing fees and the lowest cost of living in the country help.
- Limited liability company filing — $50 (one-time, through the Secretary of State)
- Annual report — Not required (Mississippi does not require annual reports for limited liability companies)
- Doing Business As filing — Small fee (if using a different business name)
- Sales tax permit — Free (required since cleaning is taxable)
- Local privilege license — $25 to $100 per year (varies by city)
- General liability insurance — $400 to $1,200 per year
- Workers' compensation insurance — Required once you have five employees (rates vary)
- Surety bond — $100 to $500 per year (recommended)
- Cleaning supplies and equipment — $200 to $500 to start
- Marketing (initial) — $100 to $500
What Is on Your Mississippi Startup Checklist?
Follow these steps in order. Complete each one before moving on.
- Choose your business structure — Form a limited liability company at sos.ms.gov ($50)
- Get an Employer Identification Number — Apply free at irs.gov
- Get a sales tax permit — Apply free at dor.ms.gov
- Open a business bank account — Keep personal and business money separate
- Get your local privilege license — Check your city or county requirements
- Buy general liability insurance — Get at least $1 million in coverage
- Buy cleaning supplies — Start with the basics and upgrade as you grow
- Set your prices — Use our Price Calculator and add 7 percent Mississippi sales tax
- Set up your Google Business Profile — This is your most important marketing tool
- Book your first clients — Tell friends, post on Facebook groups, connect with your community
- Get workers' compensation before your fifth hire — Required for five or more employees
- Register for unemployment insurance — Required before your first employee starts
What Are the Best Tips for Mississippi?
Here are practical tips for success in Mississippi.
- Start solo to keep costs low — The $50 filing fee and no annual report make Mississippi the cheapest state to form a business
- Always collect sales tax — Cleaning is taxable at 7 percent. Build it into your quotes so clients know the total upfront
- Target growing suburbs — Madison, Ridgeland, Olive Branch, and Southaven are where the money is
- Serve the Gulf Coast casinos — Biloxi and Gulfport hotels and casinos need regular cleaning services
- Build word-of-mouth referrals — Mississippi communities are tight-knit. One happy client can bring you many more
- Prepare for hot summers — Keep water in every vehicle. Take breaks when cleaning without air conditioning
- Watch for mold — Mississippi's humidity creates mold problems. Learn to spot it and handle it safely
- Use MaidProfit to manage bookings — Track jobs, invoices, and sales tax with one tool
What Are the Guides for Nearby States?
If you serve areas near the Mississippi border, these guides may help.
- Tennessee Guide — Start a cleaning business in Tennessee
- Alabama Guide — Start a cleaning business in Alabama
- Louisiana Guide — Start a cleaning business in Louisiana
- Arkansas Guide — Start a cleaning business in Arkansas
- Alabama Cleaning Prices — Hourly rates and city-by-city pricing for Alabama
- Louisiana Cleaning Prices — Hourly rates and city-by-city pricing for Louisiana
- Tennessee Cleaning Prices — Hourly rates and city-by-city pricing for Tennessee
- Arkansas Cleaning Prices — Hourly rates and city-by-city pricing for Arkansas
Where Do You Find Mississippi Government Resources?
Here is a complete list of every government website in this guide. Bookmark these for later.
- Mississippi Secretary of State — Register your business and file formation documents
- Mississippi Department of Revenue — Sales tax permits and state tax filing
- Mississippi Department of Employment Security — Unemployment insurance and employer information
- Internal Revenue Service — Free Employer Identification Number application
- Small Business Administration — Free counseling and local assistance for small businesses
What Other Guides Can Help Your Business?
These free guides cover topics every cleaning business owner needs. They work hand-in-hand with this state guide.
- How to Price Cleaning Services — Set profitable rates with flat-rate and hourly formulas
- Cleaning Business Insurance Guide — General liability, bonding, and the coverage you need
- How to Get Cleaning Clients Fast — Fill your schedule with paying clients
- Marketing Your Cleaning Business — Online and offline strategies that bring real results
- Cleaning Business Taxes and Deductions — Every deduction you can claim and how to file
- How to Get Cleaning Contracts — Find and win residential and commercial contracts
- How to Hire and Train Cleaning Staff — Where to find workers and how to keep them
Start Your Mississippi Cleaning Business Today
Mississippi makes it incredibly affordable to start a cleaning business. A $50 filing fee and no annual report give you the cheapest start anywhere.
Start by forming your limited liability company. Get your Employer Identification Number and sales tax permit. Buy insurance, check local licenses, and set your prices.
Then focus on getting clients through Google and community connections.
The growing suburbs, Gulf Coast tourism, and college towns create steady demand. Every successful Mississippi cleaning company started with one owner and one first client. Take action today.