Finance Business Taxes

Please mail completed Meal Coupon and/or Room and Lodging Coupon to the Finance Department, 401 Lafayette St., Williamsburg, VA 23185, or place them in the drop box located at the main entrance to the Municipal Building. Mail must be postmarked on or before the 20th of the month or left in the drop by the end of the day on the 20th of the month the remittance is due to avoid penalty and interest.        

  1. Prepared Food & Beverage Taxes (Meal Taxes)
  2. Transient Lodging Taxes (Room Taxes)
  3. Cigarette Stamp Taxes
  4. Tax on Alcohol License

 Meal Tax - 5% of gross sales

Prepared Food & Beverage Tax  (Meal Tax) Coupons

Prepared Food & Beverage Tax  (Meal Tax) Registration

The city imposes and levies prepared Food and Beverage Taxes, commonly known as Meal Taxes. This tax is held in trust for the city and is not the business's property. 

A Prepared Food and Beverage Tax (Meal Tax) coupon must be filed each month, even if there have been no sales. Payment can be made in person at the Finance Department located at 401 Lafayette Street, Williamsburg, VA, 23185 or postmarked by the Post Office on or before the 20th of each month. There is also a drop box at the front entrance to our building.

All food establishments are to register for and collect prepared food and beverage tax in addition to the state sales tax. For further information, see the City of Williamsburg code Sec. 18-271 through 282.

Late Fees / Penalties

Late fees and penalties are to be included with late payments.

The penalty is 10% or $10, whichever is greater, and is to be added each month payment is delinquent (if the tax is under $10 - the penalty is the same as the tax). Interest is 0.83% per month, beginning the first day of the month after payment is due. (for example, the April payment is due by May 20th. Penalty begins May 21st; interest begins June 1st.)

For additional assistance, contact 757-220-6155.