Business license crackdown to begin in Washoe County

Businesses in Washoe County will be audited for compliance with business license regulations following action by county commissioners last week.

The action allows county staff to hire MBIA MuniServices, of Fresno, Calif., to locate unlicensed businesses within the unincorporated areas ofWashoe County as well as audit businesses if suspected of reporting inaccurate gross receipts statements.

The company was selected after study of the issue by a task force that included representatives from the Association of General Contractors, the Incline Village /Crystal Bay Chamber of Commerce, Nevada Taxpayers Association, Reno-Sparks Chamber of Commerce, and the Nevada Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association.

A business found operating in the unincorporated areas ofWashoe County without a license would be subject to a $75 first-year fee plus a $75 penalty fee.

MBIA would receive 47 percent of the fees collected from that $150 as compensation for its services.