Business License

Overview

• Most businesses located within Chesterfield County are subject to the Chesterfield County business license tax.
• Business license tax rates (link to local tax rates & assessment methods) vary according to classification, and levies are based on gross receipts.
• This is a tax on the privilege of engaging in a licensable business activity within Chesterfield County, and it is calculated on gross receipts (or gross purchases in the case of wholesale merchants).
• Businesses with gross receipts less than $10,000, there is no fee due with the filing.
• Businesses with gross receipts between $10,000 and $300,000, pay a $10.00 license fee.
• Businesses with gross receipts over $300,000 pay on a rate per $100 based on the particular business classification.

For assistance with the business license application or the licensing process, please contact the Commissioner's Office at 804-748-1281 or visit the office during normal business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

New Businesses

• Business owners are required to register the business with the Commissioner of the Revenue within 30 days of commencing business operations in Chesterfield County.
• A late payment penalty of up to 10% of the tax due will be imposed along with interest if the licenses are not obtained within 30 days of the date the business opened.
• Each business must satisfy any state or county requirements prior to beginning business in Chesterfield County.
• In some cases, a business may have equipment but no attributable income or income but no taxable equipment, depending on situs of the business activity or equipment.
• A Memo to New Applicants for Chesterfield County Business Licenses (PDF) describes in more detail the steps for obtaining licenses.

Annual Renewal

• Renewal applications and appropriate tax payments must be filed in the Commissioner's Office or postmarked on or before March 1^st each year to avoid the late payment penalty and interest.
• Any changes in ownership structure, business activities or business address should be made in writing within 30 days of the change to the Commissioner of the Revenue since these changes may affect your license tax liability.
• In the event you cease business operations within Chesterfield County, you must notify the Commissioner of the Revenue in writing. Refunds for the portion of license tax already paid are prorated monthly for the time the business operated in Chesterfield County.  Refunds are not given on license fees or license tax not based on gross receipts or gross purchases.