Reining in Cannabis Tax Scofflaws
County Will Use State’s “Track-and-Trace” Inventory for 60 Days
The county has put growers on notice that it will withdraw its “letter of authorization” for cannabis state business licenses if they fail to pay county taxes. | Credit: Courtesy
Some cannabis operators in Santa Barbara County still don’t pay taxes, but there are signs that the county is closing in on them.
Of 106 licensed cannabis growers and processors in county unincorporated areas, 15 failed to report their gross revenues during the most recent quarter, from October 1 to December 31, according to a recent update for the county Board of Supervisors. That’s down from 22 tax scofflaws in the previous quarter.
The county has put growers on notice that it will withdraw its “letter of authorization” for cannabis state business licenses if they fail to pay county taxes, said Assistant County Executive Officer Barney Melekian.
