Q: I am unable to generate a Certicate
of Clean Hands through the
automated system. What do I do?
A: Contact us at (202) 724-5045—we are
happy to help!
Q: My business is a disregarded entity
and reports its income under a
parent entity; how do I ensure that
this information is captured correctly
to avoid problems with obtaining a
Certicate of Clean Hands?
A: Be sure that all schedules are complete
when submitting return information for a
parent entity — Schedule K allows you
to list all disregarded entities for which
income is reported. If you have questions
or concerns regarding complex business
structures, please contact us.
Q: For how long is a Certicate of Clean
Hands valid?
A: A Certicate of Clean Hands can be
validated in real-time by using our
system at MyTax.DC.gov. As such, the
certicates do not expire. However, the
agency or entity that has requested you
to provide the certicate may have their
own requirements regarding when a
certicate must be requested.
Q: I do not have a taxpayer identication
number (ITIN, SSN, or FEIN). How can
I request a Certicate of Clean Hands?
A: An ITIN is required to generate a
Certicate of Clean Hands online. If
you need assistance obtaining an ITIN,
please contact the IRS at www.irs.gov/
individuals/how-do-i-apply-for-an-itin.
YOUR VOICE AT OTR!
Certificate of
Clean Hands
E-SERVICES UNIT
(For technical assistance with
the MyTax portal.)
(202) 759-1946
If you are logged into your MyTax account,
you can send a webmail message to
e-Services directly from the portal.
CLEAN HANDS INQUIRIES
■ Specic clean hands inquiries can be
emailed to [email protected]
■ For additional information,
please contact OTR’s Compliance
Administration, Collections Division
at (202) 724-5045 or email
Government of the District of Columbia
What is a Certificate of
Clean Hands?
A Certicate of Clean Hands may be required
to obtain a business license, a grant, a contract
or other goods or services from the District.
However, District law provides that if a debt is
owed to the District of Columbia of more than
$100.00 and/or if an individual or entity has
failed to le required District returns, then those
individuals or businesses are not entitled to a
Certicate of Clean Hands.
How do I obtain a
Certificate of Clean Hands?
Obtaining a Certicate of Clean Hands is as
easy as 1-2-3!
DC Residents:
1. Log in or create a MyTax.DC.gov account
2. Click “Request a Certicate of Clean Hands”
to conrm or complete required information
3. If you are in compliance, a Certicate of
Clean Hands will be generated instantly!
Non-DC Residents:
1. From www.MyTax.DC.gov, without logging
in, click on “Request Certicate of Clean
Hands” under the “Business” tab on the
homepage and follow the prompts.
If you are not a resident of the District, and
you do not have a Social Security Number
(SSN), you will need an Individual Taxpayer
Identication Number (ITIN). The IRS issues
ITINs to individuals who are required to have a
U.S. taxpayer identication number but who do
not have, and are not eligible to obtain an SSN.
If you are in need of an ITIN, please see link
How do I apply for an ITIN? | Internal Revenue
Service (irs.gov).
Business Tax Compliance Checklist:
Did you register by submitting a completed
Form FR-500 on MyTax.DC.gov?
If you owe a liability over $100, is it part of an
established payment agreement?
■ Payment agreements can be set up on MyTax.
DC.gov or by calling the Collections Division at
(202) 724-5045.
Have you led all required returns?
Have all returns and payments posted to your
account?
■ All businesses are required to le Personal
Property Tax returns unless they are exempt
entities
■ If a business has taxable sales in the District, a
Sales and Use Tax return is required even if the
sales reported are $0
What can I do on
MyTax.DC.gov?
NON-LOGIN OPTIONS
■ Register a business (FR-500)
■ Request a Certicate of Clean Hands for a
non-DC resident
■ Request an exemption
LOG IN OPTIONS
■ Request a Certicate of Clean Hands for a
DC resident
■ Establish a payment agreement
■ Send secure messages
■ Update your personal or business information
■ Add or change officers
■ Request a refund
■ Request a penalty waiver
■ View letters sent by OTR
SCAN ME
For more information!
D.C. Code § 47-2862
The District of Columbia’s “Clean Hands”
Mandate stipulates that individuals and
businesses are to be denied City goods
or services (e.g. licenses, permits, grants,
contracts) if there is a debt owed to the District
of Columbia of more than $100.00 for fees,
nes, taxes, or penalties; and/or the taxpayer
has failed to le required District returns.
