Tax workshop reaches no decision on Wynn art collection fee

Representatives for state Sen. Joe Neal's gubernatorial campaign told the department that Wynn shouldn't charge to see his $285 million collection if he or his Mirage Resorts Inc. get the break on sales taxes due on the artwork.

The 5 percent exemption on the collection's cost would save Wynn and his company about $15 million. They also may receive a $3 million-a-year property tax break.

But an attorney for the casino corporation said at Thursday's workshop that the law passed last year that provides the exemption made no mention of admission costs.

"If it is not prohibited, then it is permitted," said Mirage attorney Jess Conway.

With both sides so far apart, the Taxation Department decided to let members of the state Tax Commission set the policy in an Aug. 19 meeting in Las Vegas.

"We will present the alternatives to the Tax Commission," said Dino DiCianno, deputy state tax director. "They will have to decide which way to go."

The commission last month postponed deciding on the regulations for the tax law, hoping the sides might agree if a workshop were held.

The exemption sought by Wynn has become a key issue of Neal's Democratic campaign for governor.

Last year the Legislature approved a law that exempts wealthy art collectors from most of the state sales tax if they agree to display their art publicly. The exemption applies only to art valued at more than $25,000.

The collection owned by Wynn and his company will go on public display Oct. 15 in a gallery in the Bellagio.

Alan Feldman, a Mirage spokesman, said the admission price has not yet been set but it will be comparable to other art museums.

The collection includes works by Van Gogh, Monet, Renoir, Cezanne, Picasso, Matisse and many other prominent artists.

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