Business Licenses and Permits

Operating without a business license is in many states considered a misdemeanor and can result in late fee charges, notices or closing of the business. The city of Riverside ordinance requires any entity doing business in the city, including entities with headquarters outside the city, to pay an annual business tax. Many business owners are not aware of the city requirements, and the city is losing millions of dollars in tax revenues. To raise awareness of the business license requirements the city started a six-month business license amnesty program beginning August 31st. The program is intended to allow city businesses operating without a license to get a business license without paying any penalties. The amnesty program will end Feb. 28, 2011.

Adriana Dinu, Business License Research Analyst, Corporation Service Company

Tags: amnesty license tax business