If you are uncertain which category includes your business or occupation or require assistance in obtaining the necessary information, please contact Business Tax at:

Business Tax
703.746.4800
Email: businesstax@alexandriava.gov

For in-person assistance, please visit:

Tax Services
301 King Street, Room 1700
Alexandria, VA 22314

Any establishment that manufactures, distills, bottles or sells alcoholic beverages requires an ABC License from the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. The ABC Board issues licenses based upon the type of beverage, type of establishment or place of consumption. The licenses allow for the sale of wine, beer, and/or mixed beverages. To obtain and keep one of these licenses, all applicants must strictly comply with a number of ABC laws and regulations. Examples of ABC laws include: prohibiting the sale of alcohol to minors and intoxicated persons, the responsibility of the licensee to maintain complete and accurate records, restrictions on advertising, and food sale requirements.

Professional Occupations/Businesses include but are not limited to the following:

• Medical Professionals
• Architects (of all types)
• Engineers (of all types)
• Legal Professionals
• Accountants
• Consultants and Analysts

Anyone working in a professional occupation or business must provide the following (where relevant):

• State Board License
• Bar Card

Financial Services & Occupations include but are not limited to the following:

• Brokers (other than pawn or loan)
• Check Cashers
• Management Consultants
• Real Estate/Escrow agencies
• Sales Agents
• Credit Card Service Bureaus
• Credit Unions

Any business providing financial services or any person working in a financial occupation must provide the following (where relevant):

• State Board License
• Real Estate License 
• SCC Registration 

Personal Services include but are not limited to:

Any business providing personal services or any person working in a personal service occupation must provide the following (where relevant):

• Health Permit from the City's Health Department 
• State Board License or State License
• License from the Virginia Department of Health Professions 
• Certificate from the Circuit Court (for bail bonds)
• License from the Virginia Department of Education 
• Police Permit from the Alexandria Police Department 
• Fire Permit from the City's Fire Prevention Unit 
• Proof of Registration for Transient Lodging Tax 

Business Services & Occupations include but are not limited to:

Business providing business services or persons working in business service occupations must provide the following (where relevant):

• Hack Inspector/Transportation Permit from the Police Department's Traffic Section 
• Health Permit from the City's Health Department 
• Proof of Registration for Meals Sales Tax 
• Virginia Cemetery Board License
• DMV Permit from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles 
• Pesticide Certificate 
• State Board License

Repair Services & Occupations include but or not limited to businesses that repair:

Businesses providing repair services or persons working in repair service occupations must provide the following (where relevant):

• ATF and Police Permits (for gunsmithing and gun repair)
• State Contractors License (for heating and air conditioning Repair)

Retail/Wholesale Merchants include all businesses that sell items at retail, wholesale or both, that maintain a definite place of business in the City or that sponsor a show or sale of goods, wares and merchandise.

Some retail/wholesale merchants may be required to provide the following:

• Police Permit (antiques, jewelry, second-hand merchandise)
• Health Permit from the City's Health Department 
• Proof of Registration for Meals Sales Tax 
• Proof of registration with the Northern Virginia Cigarette Tax Board 
• Proof of registration for the Retail Sales and Use Tax 
• State Dealer License (for car dealers)
• ATF Permit (for pistol dealers)

Every person who maintains a definite place of business in the city and engages in the business of a contractor shall pay the usual business license tax based on gross receipts. Every person who engages in the business of a contractor in the city, and who maintains a definite place of business in the state, but not in the city, shall not be liable for any license tax, unless the gross receipts received in any year by such person from business conducted in the city exceed $25,000. Every person who engages in the business of a contractor in the city for less than 30 days in a license year, and who does not maintain a definite place of business in the state shall not be liable for any license tax under this section, unless the gross receipts received in any year by such person from business conducted in the city exceed $25,000.

Contractors are required to provide the following:

• State Contractors License 
• Proof of Workers' Compensation Coverage
  • Form 61-A 

Manufacturers and processers include but are not limited to:

• Canneries
• Dental Laboratories
• Assemblers
• Mills
• Printers or Print Shops
• Film Processers

Producers of:

Manufacturers and Processers who sell retail may have to provide the following (where applicable):

• Health Permit from the City's Health Department 
• Proof of Registration for Meals Sales Tax 
• Proof of registration with the Northern Virginia Cigarette Tax Board 
• Police Permit (jewelry)

Amusements/Entertainments include but are not limited to:

Businesses that provide amusement and entertainment must provide the following (where applicable):

• Health Permit from the City's Health Department 
• Proof of Registration for Meals Sales Tax 

Restaurants include but are not limited to the following:

• Carry-Out
• Snack and Non-Alcoholic Beverage Bars
• Bagel shops, full-service
• Delicatessen (except grocery store, rest.)
• Donut shops, full-service
• Pizzerias
• Fast-food Restaurants
• Cafeterias

Restaurants must provide the following:

• Health Permit from the City's Health Department 
• Proof of Registration for Meals Sales Tax 

Builders/Developers include the following:

• Those who develop property for sale
• Single Project Developers
• Custom Builders (Single Family Home)
• Custom Builders (Multifamily Buildings)

Builders must provide a State Contractor's License.

NOTE: In accordance with City Code Section 9-1-6.1: Any builder or developer who undertakes a project in the city consisting of the improvement, development or redevelopment of real property for sale, and who intends to undertake only that project during its lifetime, shall annually procure a license in the manner set forth in this chapter, but shall not be required to pay any license tax until the project is completed and gross receipts from the sale of the improved, developed or redeveloped property are received; provided, that the builder or developer (i) prior to commencing the project deposits with the director a bond in favor of the city as obligee which insures the proper filing of records and payment of taxes, in such form and amount and with such surety as shall be acceptable to the director, and (ii) at such times as directed by the director, provides the director with the necessary records to establish the gross receipts from the project.