Verifying Tax Registration and Clean Hands

All applicants for a Basic Business License must be registered and in good standing with the DC Office of Tax and Revenue. During the licensing application process, the applicant's tax number must pass a registration and clean hands verification.

 

If you receive feedback that your tax number is registered, but are unable to verify clean hands for your SSN/FEIN during the licensing process, please contact the DC Office of Tax and Revenue at (202) 759-1946. In some circumstances, a Clean Hands Certificate issued by the DC Office of Tax and Revenue is valid for only a 48-hour period. When this 48-hour period expires, the taxpayer must contact the DC Office of Tax and Revenue at (202) 759-1946 to request another override.

 

If you have recently registered or completed the FR-500, please be aware that the DC Office of Tax and Revenue may take up to 10 business days to process your registration. If you have previously completed the FR-500 and are still receiving an error message during the clean hands verification process, you may send an email inquiry to [email protected] for information about the status of your tax account.

 

Once your tax concern is resolved, you may resume your application for a Basic Business License.