Would a 'One-stop shop' for businesses save millions for the state?

Assembly Majority Leader John Oceguera, D-North Las Vegas, called on legislative taxation committees Thursday to create a "business portal" to streamline the process of establishing a business in Nevada.

He said currently, businesses have to go through several different agencies to set up a new business, incorporating with the Secretary of State's office, filing forms with the Department of Motor Vehicles to register a fleet, to the Department of Employment Training and Rehabilitation for unemployment insurance, Taxation for business licensing and Public Safety for background checks.

"Once you have that paperwork in hand, you would again go through the process at the county and city level," he told a joint meeting of the Senate and Assembly taxation committees.

He said most businesses are honest and go through the current process but that some don't and this "one stop shop" would help find those who aren't registering and paying all the fees and taxes they owe. He said the state is missing nearly $50 million in uncollected taxes.

"This would provide business with an end-to-end solution with the potential to save millions annually," Oceguera said.

He said the portal would speed the process of setting up a new business as well as help crack down on businesses trying to avoid paying.

Taxation Director Dino Dicianno told the committee the state is owed about $120 million in debt, $20 million in penalties and $43 million in interest. But he said a large amount of that is old " some of it up to 20 years " and probably not collectable.

Senate Taxation Chairman Bob Coffin, D-Las Vegas, said the problem is the state has refused to give Taxation the number of auditors and other staff it needs.

"We're paying the price for being cheap," Dicianno said.

- Contact reporter Geoff Dornan at gdornan@nevadaappeal.com or 687-8750.