About 40 Salt Lake County companies that were tardy last year in renewing business licenses could receive relief from late-payment penalties.
The County Council decided this week to give those companies a chance to document their compliance history and to show that they missed last year’s deadline because the county changed the timing of its renewal process.
 |
Join the Discussion |
 |
Post a Comment |
"This will allow the hearing officer some latitude when he hears their appeals," Councilman Jim Bradley said. "If the business has a history of compliance, [the hearing officer] can waive the late fee or reduce it."
Through 2010, Bradley said, the county required businesses in unincorporated areas to renew their licenses before Jan. 1. But to avoid the crush of applications hitting the business-license office in December, the county went to a staggered renewal system, just as the state does with vehicle license plates.
Although county business-license officials sent out notices of the revised timetable, Bradley said, "a number of small businesses were of the mind-set they were supposed to pay at the end of the year and missed their due dates." Giving them a chance to get a penalty waiver, he added, "reinforces that we do care about them and gives the hearing officer the leeway to deal with them."
Council members unanimously supported the proposal, which only applies this year while the system is being fully implemented.
Business-license fees vary, based on the nature of the company, the number of employees, ownership of commercial vehicles and other factors. Late fees may range from 25 percent to 100 percent, depending on how much time has elapsed since the deadline.
Twitter: @sltribmikeg
Copyright 2012 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
