<HTML>In a message dated 12/5/01 2:37:11 PM Central Standard Time, cmpiano@attbi.com writes: <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">After being in business for 8 years they caught me.  So I got a license. Every year I pay $20 plus $15 for a fire inspection.  I think its been 20 years and except for the initial inspection I've never seen an inspector. They caught me since I had a sellers permit from the state and those guys talk to each other. </BLOCKQUOTE> On the surface it might look like you're getting ripped off. But from the state's point of view, there are business that need to be inspected every year, especially if they are open to the public. Businesses in stores also cost the police department more money, because police do inspect them at night. But a city or county can't discriminate as to what kind of business has to have a license to operate. So it "taxes" all business, whether it operates out of a store front, garage or a house. Wim </HTML>