Virginia: Sales Tax Handbook
How to get a Virginia Certificate of Registration
In Virginia, most businesses are required to have a sales tax permit. This means that, if you are considering opening a new business or are beginning to make sales in Virginia for the first time, you will need to determine your business' permit requirements. The good news is that you can get a Virginia Certificate of Registration and be ready to do business immediately after you submit your application. This guide will help you learn how!
- Does My Business Need A Sales Tax Permit In Virginia?
- How To Apply For a Virginia Certificate of Registration
- What Info Do I Need To Apply?
- Application Fee, Turnaround Time, and Renewal Info
- Apply For a Virginia Certificate of Registration Online
- Apply For a Virginia Certificate of Registration Offline
Who needs a Virginia Certificate of Registration?
Virginia law requires that all businesses engaged in the "sales, lease or rental" of personal property as well as taxable services are required to apply for a Sales and Use Tax Permit before beginning operations within the state. This permit allows businesses to collect the state sales tax, as well as local sales taxes and special reduced sales taxes on eligible food items.
Businesses with a taxable presence within Virginia are considered to have sales tax nexus within the state. For more details on what constitutes a taxable presence, see sales tax nexus in Virginia.
How to get a Virginia Certificate of Registration:
Virginia's VATax system allows thye filing process for a Virginia sales tax permit to be completed online. You can also add a sales tax permit to an existing business, add new locations to your account, and update your personal information.
Virginia does allow sole proprietorships to collect sales tax, although you still need to have an EIN number. Form R-1 is also available if you need to apply on paper.
If you have any qustions about the Virginia business tax account application process, you can call the VA Department of Taxation's helpline at (804) 367-8037.
You need the following information to apply for a Virginia Certificate of Registration:
Business location; address; EIN and basic info,
Sales tax types your business need to pay
Owner's basic info
Virginia Certificate of Registration Application Fee, Turnaround Time, and Renewal Info
You will need to pay an application fee when you apply for a Virginia Certificate of Registration, and you will receive your permit immediately after filing your application.
Application Fee: FREE
Turnaround Time: Immediately
Permit Renewals: No Renewals Needed
Apply For Your Virginia Certificate of Registration Now:
Get Your Virginia Certificate of Registration Online
You can easily acquire your Virginia Certificate of Registration online using the VATAX Online Services for Businesses website. If you have quetions about the online permit application process, you can contact the Department of Taxation via the sales tax permit hotline (804) 367-8057 or by checking the permit info website 
.
Offline Virginia Certificate of Registration Application Form
While generally slower than applying online, you can apply for a Virginia Certificate of Registration for your business offline using Form R-1, the "Business Registration Form".
Form R-1 can be downloaded from the Department of Taxation here .
Mail Completed Form R-1 To:
Virginia Department of TaxationRegistration Unit
PO Box 1114
Richmond, VA 23218-1114
Phone: 804-367-8057
Fax: 804-367-2603
Alternately, you can fax Form R-1 to the Department of Taxation at (804) 367-2603.
What's Next? Now that you know how to apply for your Virginia Certificate of Registration, learn how to collect and remit the Virginia sales tax.
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