Business Licenses and Permits

Last week we reported the ineffectiveness of the Fresno, California business tax amnesty program earlier this year.  Now, it appears that the city is ready to get proactive.  On Sunday, the Fresno Bee reported that the city has hired an outside firm, MuniServices, to track down and collect taxes from delinquent businesses.  This is a bit of a reversal for the city that up until now did not want to use outside help to solve its business license problems.

MuniServices will be working with the city until June 30th.  In order to track down delinquent businesses MuniServices will use state and federal tax records and compare them with the city’s records.  In exchange for this service MuniServices will get to keep 40% of the tax dollars it collects. 

In addition to actively collecting delinquent taxes, the city is launching a new online business directory.  The directory will list a business with a current business license.  This will be yet another tool to help identify unlicensed businesses.  It seems that Fresno is finally actively working to solve its budget crisis by increasing revenue from business licenses.  Hopefully working with an outside firm can give the city the support it needs to get its business license program back on track.

Amy Lee, Business License Research Analyst, Corporation Service Company

Tags: business license, California