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Taxes/Incentives | Business Resources | Employment by Industry | High Wage Industries | Largest Employers | Impact Fees | Business Start Up Information

Nevada tax informationTaxes & Incentives

The incentives of doing business in Nevada are expansive. Nevada boasts one of the most liberal tax structures in the nation and from a tax-planning perspective, the return on investment in the form of tax saving dollars can be enormous.

Nevada has No Personal State Income Tax, No Unitary Tax, No Corporate Income Tax, No Inventory Tax, No Estate and/or Gift Tax, No Franchise Tax, No Inheritance Tax, and No Special Intangible Tax.

Incentive Matrix

Minimum State Requirements for Rural Areas Opens New Window Adobe Acrobat (PDF) File 31KB
Minimum State Requirements for Expansions Opens New Window Adobe Acrobat (PDF) File 31KB
Minimum State Requirements for Rural Recycling & Renewable Energy Opens New Window Adobe Acrobat (PDF) File 29KB
Minimum State Requirements for Expansion of Recycling & Renewable Energy  Opens New Window Adobe Acrobat (PDF) File 23KB

Tax Comparisons

Sales Tax Rate

In Douglas County, the sales tax rate is 6.75.

Property Tax Rate

In Douglas County, the 2007-08 average county wide tax rate is 2.9831.

Calculating Real Property Taxes

The formula for calculating real property tax is as follows:

Taxable Value x .35 = Assessed Value
Assessed Value x Tax Rate = Total Real Property Tax

For more information, please see 

How Property Taxes are Calculated opens new window Adobe Acrobat (PDF) File  83KB.

Calculating Personal Property Taxes

Using the Cost Conversion Factor tables in the     

Personal Property Manual opens new window Adobe Acrobat (PDF) File 193KB
use the following formula to calculate the assessed value. The assessed value is the value on which taxes are calculated.

Actual Cost x Cost Index (for appropriate year) = Cost of Replacement
Cost of Replacement x Percent Good = Taxable Value
Taxable Value x .35 = Assessed Value
Assessed Value x Tax Rate = Total Personal Property Tax

Return to TopBusiness Resources

Nevada's Industrial Development and/or Mini-Bond Programs through Assistance Partnership (MAP)
If you are a Nevada manufacturer and in need of low-cost (2 to 3% below typical commercial rates) financing for real estate, buildings or new equipment, MAP may be able to help you qualify for Nevada's Industrial Development and/or Mini-Bond Programs

Bond Programs opens new window Adobe Acrobat (PDF) File 49KB

www.itssimple.biz
An easily understandable site including all the information an entrepreneur would need to start a business.

Return to TopDouglas County High Wage Industries
Industry Annual Mean Wage Annual Entry Wage Annual Experience Level Wage
Education & Health Services$42,853$22,374$53,092
Professional & Business Services$42,693$21,253$53,413
Information$41,512$17,327$53,605
Construction$38,335$23,370$45,817
Financial Activities$37,633$17,728$47,584
Source: Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR)

Return to TopDouglas County's Largest Employers

Employer City Industry Code Number of Employees
Harrah's StatelineStatelineCasino Hotels7211201,500 - 1,999
Caesar's Tahoe PalaceStatelineCasino Hotels7211201,000 - 1,499
Douglas County School DistrictMindenElementary and Secondary Schools6111101,000 - 1,499
Harvey's Resort Hotel CasinoStatelineCasino Hotels7211201,000 - 1,499
Bently NevadaMindenIndustrial Process Variable Instruments334513700 - 799
Douglas CountyMindenExecutive & Legislative Offices Combined921140600 - 699
Horizon Casino ResortStatelineCasino Hotels721120500 - 599
Carson Valley InnMindenCasino Hotels721120500 - 599
Lakeside Inn & CasinoStatelineCasino Hotels721120300 - 399
Source: Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR), 2nd Quarter 2007 

Return to Top Impact Fees

Currently, Douglas County does not have any commercial impact fees.

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Licensing and Permits*

These are the suggested steps along with a listing and a brief description of each of the forms and filings necessary for business operations in Northern Nevada.

STEP ONE: Create a Corporation, Partnership or Sole Proprietorship Legal Organization

Note: If you choose to use a name other than your legal name, you must file a Fictitious Business Name Certificate (DBA) with the County office to identify the owner(s). This applies to corporations and LLC's, as well as, sole proprietorships and partnerships.

CORPORATIONS AND LIMITED COMPANIES (LLC)
Corporations and LLC's must file Articles of Incorporation or Articles of Organization with the Nevada Secretary of State and maintain all records, minutes, etc. as required by law. You may go to their website and download the appropriate forms. For more information, contact the Nevada Secretary of State's office at:

202 North Carson Street
Carson City, NV 89701
Phone: 775.684.5708
www.sos.state.nv.us

ALL OF THE ABOVE FORMS SHOULD BE FILED BEFORE YOU BEGIN BUSINESS

STEP TWO: Obtain a Fictitious Name Certificate (DBA)

FICTITIOUS NAME CERTIFICATE
This is needed for all businesses that plan to use a name different than their legal or corporate name. You may wish to check with the County Clerk's office to determine if the fictitious name you want is available by accessing the County Clerk's website. Also the appropriate forms may be downloaded from their website. The fee is typically $20 every five years.

Douglas County Clerks Office
1594 Esmeralda Ave., Room 105
P.O. Box 218
Minden, NV 89423
Phone: 775.782.9014

STEP THREE: Obtain a State Business License

STATE BUSINESS LICENSE
All businesses operating in Nevada must obtain a State Business License issued by the Department of Taxation. The license fee is $100, renewable annually. The forms are available on their website. For more information contact:

1550 E College Parkway, Ste. 115
Carson City, NV 89706
Phone: 775.684.2000

There is not a Nevada Department of Taxation office in Douglas County.

STEP FOUR: (If required) Obtain a retail sales permit

Every new business must check with the State Department of Taxation to determine whether they need a resale permit, an exemption certificate, or are subject to a use tax. A deposit or bond may be required. Check with the taxation department for a fee payment and other information. You may go to their website and download the appropriate forms.

1550 E College Parkway, Ste 115
Carson City, NV 89706
Phone: 775.684.2000

There is not a Nevada Department of Taxation office in Douglas County.

STEP FIVE: Obtain a local license

In the State of Nevada, all new businesses are required to obtain a business license within the city/county in which they operate. You may go to their website and download the appropriate forms. For more information contact:

Douglas County Clerks Office
1594 Esmeralda Ave., Room 105
P.O. Box 218
Minden, NV 89423
Phone: 775.782.9014

STEP SIX: Other Local License

In addition to city and county licenses, certain businesses/occupations are required to obtain special state licenses (i.e. - contractors, beauticians, etc.). As a new business, you may be required by the city or county to obtain additional permits from Health, Police, Fire, or Building Departments. Inquire with the individual agency for more information.

State Contractors Board
9670 Gateway Drive, #100
Reno, NV 89511
775.688.1141
http://nscb.state.nv.us

STEP SEVEN: Insure you are familiar with all of the following:

ZONING ORDINANCES
To insure that you are in a location zoned for your type of business, check the city and county ordinances before signing any lease agreement. For home-based businesses, verify if the Home Occupation Permit is required.

Douglas County Building & Safety
1594 Esmeralda Ave., Room 319
Minden, NV 89423
775.782.6235

Douglas County Planning Department
1594 Esmeralda Ave., Room 319
Minden, NV 89423
775.782.6217

EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (EIN)
Everyone doing business must have an employer identification number (EIN) to use as a federal taxpayer identification number. Sole proprietors must also have an EIN if they pay wages to one or more employees or if they are required to file any excise tax returns. The EIN numbers are sometimes referred to as a Tax ID number.

Internal Revenue Service
866.816.2065

Businesses can fill out SS-4 online and get an EIN number quickly. See www.irs.gov/smallbiz for details.

WORKERS COMPENSATION
All employers are required to provide workers compensation insurance for their employees. Contact your business insurance agent for further details.

For information regarding workers compensation insurance, contact the Industrial Relations Division of the Department of Business and Industry at 775.687.4270.

EMPLOYMENT SECURITY DIVISION
This is Nevada's unemployment insurance. The business is assigned an experience rate based on the amount of unemployment claims that have been filed. For a new business the rate is 3.0% of the first $22,000 of wages for each employee and is paid quarterly. The amount of wage subject to the 3.0% tax changes annually. For more information contact:

Nevada State Employment Security Division
1325 Corporate Boulevard
Reno, NV 89502
775.688.2663

MODIFIED STATE BUSINESS TAX
This is a quarterly payroll tax that is based on gross wages. The tax is paid to the Nevada State Department of Taxation. The tax rate is 0.65% of gross wages.

Nevada Department of Taxation - Reno Office
4600 Kietzke Lane, Building L, Ste 235
Reno, NV 89502
Phone: 775.688.1295
Fax: 775.688.1303

NEVADA LIVE ENTERTAINMENT TAX
A 10% tax applied to revenues derived from entertainment venues. Some of the taxable items include: ticket sales, merchandise, food and refreshments. Contact the Nevada Department of Taxation for further details.

Nevada Department of Taxation - Reno Office
4600 Kietzke Lane, Building L, Ste 235
Reno, NV 89502
Phone: 775.688.1295
Fax: 775.688.1303

U.S. INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE IRS W-4 FORM
The law requires every employee to complete a W-4 form so that the employer can withhold the proper amount of income tax from each paycheck. For further information contact:

Internal Revenue Service
200 S. Virginia St
Reno, NV 89501
775.824.2218

U.S. IMMIGRATION SERVICE I-9 FORM
All employers must also document proof of an employee's right-to-work in the United States. Every employee must have a properly completed I-9 on file in the business office.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
Employer Relations Officer
1351 Corporate Boulevard
Reno, NV 89502
775.784.5185

STATE LABOR LAWS
All employers must comply with the state minimum wage and overtime laws and must post a sign explaining these laws at their place of business.

Nevada Labor Commission
1445 Hot Springs Rd, Ste 109
Carson City, NV 89706
775.687.4850

PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX
All businesses must pay an annual tax on business equipment and furniture (excluding inventories) based upon the assessed value of the property.

Douglas County Assessor's Office
1616 8th St.
Minden, NV 89423
775.782.9830

AIR POLLUTION CONTROL, ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITS AND INFORMATION
The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection is responsible for permitting in Douglas County. Their regulations can be found at their website. Once there, you can find quick links to rules, regulations, forms, fees, etc.

The Nevada Small Business Development Center has a Business Environmental Program available to assist small businesses. Contact them at 1.800.882.3233 or 775.689.6674

Waste Management handles refuse collections specializing in commercial, construction debris removal, "Medical Waste", "Hazardous Waste" and general waste disposal. Waste Management has specific requirements related to "Trash Enclosure" permits, service accessibility and collections for both Residential and Commercial services. They can be reached at 775.329.8822.

*Source: EDAWN

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Douglas County Employment by Industry
Industry 2003 2004 2005 2006 2nd Quarter 2007
Total All Industries20,87921,68521,62221,64521,592
Total Private Coverage18,69619,45619,33319,34719,244
Natural Resources & Mining162181176175172
Construction1,7401,9342,1832,0291,891
Manufacturing1,7091,7131,7531,8021,886
Trade, Transportation & Utilities2,5282,7642,7952,8632,770
Information235221197230207
Financial Activities707791865774823
Professional & Business Services1,2301,3961,5721,7021,724
Education & Health Services8028841,0541,1491,166
Leisure & Hospitality9,2019,1458,3638,2468,230
Other Services373377350361356
Government2,1832,2302,2892,2982,348
Source: Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation
 

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