REGISTRATION OF MOTOR VEHICLES
- Purchase Virginia plates, update your drivers license and purchase new vehicle registration at Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. The Williamsburg office is located at 952 Capitol Landing Road, 1-800-435-5137. Bring your current Virginia vehicle registration with new City of Williamsburg address to the Commissioner of Revenue's Office located in the Municipal Building at 401 Lafayette Street to register your vehicle. Failure to sign and return a Certification of Tangible Personal Property will result in a non-file fee. Vehicles must be inspected and display the inspection sticker. Inspections may be done at service stations or garages displaying signs for State Inspections Services.
- Residents on "Parking by Permit Only" streets may be eligible to purchase a parking permit at the Finance Department. Questions? Call (757)220-6180.
ASSESSMENTS OF PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXES
- General Rate $3.50/$100 Loan Value
- Mobile Home $0.54/$100
All motor vehicles (including cars, trucks, motor homes, and motorcycles) boats trailers and mobile homes normally garaged in the city are subject to personal property taxes.
Specially Equipped Motor Vehicles
Motor vehicles specially equipped to provide transportation for handicapped individuals licensed with handicapped plates are exempted from personal property taxes. Documentation identifying the vehicle and the type of special equipment that has been installed must accompany the application.
PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT
Personal Property tax bills are due December 1. The tax on the first $20,000 value of your Certified personal car, motorcycle, and pickup or panel truck under 7501 pounds, which is a qualifying vehicle, has been reduced by 65%. Your tax relief represents your portion of an annual block grant from the Commonwealth of Virginia. For qualifying vehicles valued at $1000 or less, your obligation to pay this tax has been eliminated.
Failure to sign and return your Certification of Tangible Personal Property will result in a 10% non-file fee.
LOCAL BUSINESS TAXES
Williamsburg requires all persons doing business in the city to obtain a business license prior to beginning business. A Business License Tax is based upon the gross receipts of the business and assessed at the following rates.
- Professional Services $.58/$100
- Other Services $.36/$100
(Business Service, Personal Service Repair) - Retail Sales $.20/$100
- Contractors $.16/$100
- Wholesale Sales $.05/$100
- Manufacturers are not subject to the Business License Tax.
For your convenience, you may download the following application (more than one application may apply to your business), complete and return to the Commissioner of Revenue's Office in the Municipal Building. If you have questions, please call (757) 220-6150. The applications are PDF documents that must be viewed with Adobe Acrobat.
- Business, Professional, Occupation License Application (PDF) - Must be completed by everyone doing business within the Williamsburg City limits (except contractors - see below).
- Contractor License Application (PDF) - Must be completed by contractors (Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Painters, Drywall, Home Repair, etc.) doing business within the City limits.
- Zoning Permit Application (PDF) - Must be completed by businesses who have a store front. Applications must be approved by the Zoning Administrator.
- Home Occupation Application (PDF) - Must be complete by anyone with a Home Occupation. Applications must be approved by the Zoning Administrator.
- Certificate of Business under Assumed Name (PDF) - Must be completed by anyone using an Assumed Name, dba (doing business as), aka (also known as), or T/A (trading as) business name. These terms describe the name of the business or operation does not include the legal name of its proprietors, the names of all partners, or the official registered name of the limited partnership or corporation that owns it. This certificate must be filed with the Clerk of Circuit Court.
- Room Tax Application (PDF) - Must be completed by anyone providing lodging (Motel, Hotel, Tourist House, B&B, etc.).
- Meal Tax Application (PDF) - Must be completed by anyone provide prepared foods (Restaurant, Delicatessan, Snack Bar, Drive-in, B&B, Hotel, Motels, etc.).
Williamsburg allows you to operate a business without a Business License if your gross receipts do not exceed $4000 per year.
Rate $3.50/$100
Personal Property, other than motor vehicles, used in a trade or business is subject to local taxation as Business Personal Property. Returns are due May 1, for property in use as of January 1 of a tax year. Business Personal Property is valued at 30% of original cost.
MACHINERY & TOOLS
Rate $3.50/$100
Machinery & Tools is equipment used by a manufacturer in the production of goods. Returns are due May 1 for equipment in use as of January 1 of a tax year. Machinery and Tools are valued at 30% of original cost.
Every local dealer in cigarettes shall purchase stamps to pay the tax levied and shall affix a stamp to each package of cigarettes prior to delivery or furnishing of cigarettes to any seller. Contact the Commissioner of Revenue's number for information.
(For information on Room, Meal, Lodging, E911, Utility or Wireless taxes contact the Finance Department at (757)220-6180. )
VIRGINIA INCOME TAX RETURNS
The Commissioner of Revenue's Office provides assistance in preparing Virginia Individual Income Tax Returns. City of Williamsburg residents file their tax returns with the Commissioner of Revenue's Office. Tax returns are then checked for accuracy and processed.
The Commissioner of Revenue's Office receives the first Estimated Voucher with payment. Accounts are set up for residents filing with this office before transmitting payment to the Treasurer's Office. Remaining vouchers with payments are filed directly with the Treasurer's Office.