Before DC will issue or renew your rental license, the person or business on the license must meet DC’s Clean Hands requirement. If the license is held by an LLC, corporation, partnership, or trust, this also applies to anyone who owns more than half of it. In general, that means all required DC tax returns have been filed and no one covered owes the District past-due amounts beyond what the law allows. Depending on your situation, this can include unpaid taxes, unpaid DC Water bills, civil fines (such as housing or building code violation fines), or fines and restitution related to employee wage laws.
The Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR) maintains DC’s Clean Hands records and issues the certificate. However, OTR isn’t necessarily the agency behind your non-compliance. The debt or issue may come from another DC agency, and you may need to resolve it with that agency directly. Only DC can determine whether you’re in compliance. This article shows you how to check your status with OTR. It doesn’t cover every debt that could affect your eligibility.
Tip: Use a computer, not a phone. The MyTax site is hard to navigate on mobile.
Which situation are you in?
- You have a MyTax.dc.gov account → Go to Check your status in MyTax.
- You don’t have an account yet → Go to Create a MyTax account first.
- You’re not sure, or you can’t get into MyTax → Call OTR’s Collections Division at (202) 724-5045. They’re open 8:15 AM–5:30 PM, Monday–Friday. Call right at opening to avoid long waits.
Check your status in MyTax
- Log in at MyTax.dc.gov.
- In the menu bar at the top, click More….
- Under Account Management, click Request Clean Hands Certificate.
- The next screen shows your result.
- Eligible: You’re in Clean Hands with OTR. Follow the prompts until the system confirms your certificate has been issued. Then see Find your certificate or notice below.
- Not eligible: The screen lists the reason. Write it down, then continue to If you’re not eligible below.
What the reason means:
| What you see | What it means |
|---|---|
| Liability owed | You have unpaid DC taxes or fees |
| A tax account name (e.g., Personal Property, Unincorporated Franchise Tax) | A tax return is missing for one or more years |
| Registration required | You’re missing a required DC tax registration |
Note: MyTax is a DC government system, and OTR sometimes changes how it words these reasons. If you see a reason that isn’t listed here and you’re not sure what it means, contact OTR’s Collections Division at (202) 724-5045. They can tell you which agency the issue comes from. RentJiffy can’t advise on DC tax matters or explain how OTR’s system works. We’ve put this guide together from our limited experience with MyTax to help you navigate a confusing interface.
If you’re not eligible: request your Notice of Non-Compliance
The notice gives you the details you’ll need to fix the problem.
- On the same “not eligible” screen, click Next.
- Re-enter your MyTax password, then follow the prompts until the system confirms your notice has been issued.
- See Find your certificate or notice below.
How long it takes to fix: According to OTR, simple issues like a small debt or a missing registration can be resolved in a few business days. A missing tax return can take up to 8 weeks to process.
Common reasons customers are surprised
- Joint tax returns. If you filed jointly with a current or former spouse in the past five years, a debt tied to those returns can affect your status.
- “No activity” still means filing. A business that wasn’t operating must still file returns, even if they show $0. A closed business should file a final return.
- Registered for the wrong tax. If you were registered for a tax that doesn’t apply to you, OTR may flag “missing” returns for it. You’ll need to contact OTR to correct the registration.
- Recent payments. OTR can’t issue a certificate until your payment clears. That can take up to a week for credit cards and several weeks for money orders or cashier’s checks.
- Payment plans. If you’re current on an approved payment plan, you can usually still get a certificate. Some plans need a manual review by OTR.
- Majority owners. If your LLC, corporation, partnership, or trust holds the license, the debts of anyone who owns more than half of it can also count.
Find your certificate or notice
Your certificate or notice is usually issued right away, but MyTax doesn’t open it for you. To find it:
- Click the OTR MyTax logo in the top-left corner of the screen.
- Click More….
- In the Messages & Letters box, click View Letters.
- Open your Certificate of Clean Hands or Notice of Non-Compliance.
Tip: While you’re in your letters, look for a Notice of Business Tax Registration. It lists every DC tax you’re registered for.
MyTax menus change from time to time. These steps are current as of November 2026.
Create a MyTax account first
To verify your identity during setup, you’ll need one of the following:
- The Notice Number from your Notice of Business Tax Registration. OTR mails this notice directly to the taxpayer after the DC Business Tax Registration (Form FR-500) is filed. If there are multiple owners, it goes to the primary filer, which is the first person or entity listed on the license. If you’ve been licensed for a while, keep in mind that the FR-500 was filed when you originally obtained your Basic Business License, so the notice would have been mailed around then.
- Your most recent DC individual income tax return, if you’ve filed one. See page 6 of OTR’s setup guide.
Follow OTR’s step-by-step guide: How to Sign Up for MyTax.DC.gov
Can’t find either document? Call OTR at (202) 724-5045. They can confirm your Clean Hands status by phone.
Locked out of MyTax or having technical problems? Call OTR E-Services at (202) 759-1946.