Business Licenses and Permits

Nevada’s  secretary of state has come under criticism for trying to close a loop hole in business licensing law.

From 2003 to 2009 home businesses were forced to pay for a business license, but this changed in 2009 and resulted in a tax revenue loss of $10 million per year, the Las Vegas Sun reported.

Secretary of state Ross Miller has taken responsibility for this policy shift and has been on a year-long battle to make home-based businesses once again pay the licensing fee.

However, his efforts have come under fire from Republican lawmakers and a trade group, who claim that by making business licenses more inclusive fledgling businesses will face tax increases.

Thus far, Mr. Miller’s efforts have failed, first at the 2011 Legislature and at a legislative subcommittee in December.

Although changes to the licensing system could be approved at the next sitting in February, Mr. Miller has admitted that he may not have the votes and intends to pursue the case in court.

After becoming the youngest secretary of state in 2006, Mr. Miller has been praised for his commitment to accountability and getting results.

This was evidenced when he was elected by his peers to serve as president of the National Association of Secretaries of State for 2012.

Tags: business license, business licenses, nevada