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Business License & Taxes

Williamsburg requires all persons doing business in the city to obtain a business license prior to beginning business (Note: Williamsburg allows you to operate a business without a Business License if your gross receipts do not exceed $4,000 per year. Also, contractors have a separate application that must be completed, as noted on the next page). To obtain an application contact the Williamsburg Commissioner of Revenue’s Office:

Municipal Building
401 Lafayette Street

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 245
Williamsburg, VA 23187

Phone: (757) 220-6150                                                                                                                    Web: http://www.williamsburgva.gov/dept/constit/cor1.htm

The City of Williamsburg collects a Business License Tax. The tax is based upon the gross receipts of the business and assessed at the following rates:

  • Professional Services $0.58/$100
  • Other Services $0.36/$100
    (Business Service, Personal Service Repair)
  • Retail Sales $0.20/$100
  • Contractors $0.16/$100
  • Wholesale Sales $0.05/$100
  • Manufacturers are not subject to the Business License Tax. 

Williamsburg also has a number of other local taxes. The Commissioner of Revenue assesses local business taxes as well as room, meal, and other taxes, which will be mentioned briefly in the pages that follow.  For complete information and to acquire the necessary paperwork, contact the Commissioner of Revenue’s Office and the Finance Department in the City’s Municipal building:

Municipal Building
401 Lafayette Street
Williamsburg, VA 23185-3617

Commissioner of Revenue      Ph # (757) 220-6150
Finance Department                  Ph # (757) 220-6180