Apply For A Business License Alexandria, Virginia
I would like to obtain a business license. What are the steps?
If you plan to start a business in Alexandria, Virginia, you must first register with the State of Virginia prior to the open of business. This may be completed online http://alexandriava.gov/finance/ or you may file the Form R-1 with the Virginia Department of Taxation. All corporations, both domestic and foreign, and limited partnerships in Virginia are required to file with the Virginia State Commission.
In order to become incorporated, a business entity must register articles of incorporation and amendments with the State Corporation Commission. For details regarding registration or incorporation it is recommended that you contact:
Virginia State Corporation Commission,
P.O. Box 1197, Richmond, VA, 23218,
(866) 722-2551 or the local telephone number (804) 371-9733.
If you are going to have a general partnership or trade name please contact:
Clerk of the Circuit Court
520 King Street, Suite 307
Alexandria, VA, 22314
(703) 746-4044
Next, visit the Permit Center at http://alexandriava.gov/finance/. On the City’s website this is Step 2. You will locate the business license application for the current year as they update it every year. It is also recommended that you complete any other forms that you might need such as the Zoning Approval form or the Code Approval form.
How would I know if I have to complete any other forms?
You may visit the Permit Center at http://alexandriava.gov/finance/. Under Step 2 you will find a list of the various forms that are mandated to be submitted to receive a business license. Different types of businesses require none, some, or many of these forms. For specifics on which of these you will need, if any, please contact:
Permit Center (One Stop Shop)
Office of Building and Fire Code Administration
301 King Street, Room 4200
Alexandria, VA, 22313
(703) 746-4200
Are there any fees to obtain a business license?
The City of Alexandria highly recommends that you send a $50.00 check written to the City of Alexandria with your application and a copy of a DMV-issued photo I.D. or driver’s license and any forms that might be needed for your business license to be approved. If it is required of you to only pay $50.00, the only avenue to do so is through a check. The Permit Center does not accept payment through any other method. The assessed business license tax must be paid in full before the business license will be issued to you.
How do I determine what to pay for my first business tax?
In your first year in operation a business is exempt from the business tax if the estimated gross receipts (how much you expect to accrue for the year) are less than $100,000. Take note that even though you might be exempt for the first year, you still absolutely must register with the Permit Center. For businesses with estimated gross receipts to be between $100,000 and $1,999,999 the business license tax every year is $50.00. If you expect to accrue $2,000,000 or more you will be assessed a percentage of those gross receipts. For a tax estimation, visit http://alexandriava.gov/finance/info/default.aspx?id=1838#state.
I still have more questions. Who can I contact?
New business owners should contact:
City of Alexandria
Permit Center (One Stop Shop)
Office of Building and Fire Code Administration
301 King Street, Room 4200
Alexandria, VA, 22313
(703) 746-4200
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