Commissioner of the Revenue

Picture of Philip Jefferson Kellam, Virginia Beach Commissioner of the RevenueDuties of the commissioner's office include to:

  • Enforce compliance with state and local tax laws
  • Discover and enroll all persons and property for state and local taxation
  • Assess all local taxes, EXCEPT the real estate tax
  • Assist Virginia taxpayers with filing state and local tax returns
  • Receive and audit state and local tax returns
  • ​Advocate amendment of unjust state and local tax laws
  • Assist the ​Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) customers with vehicle-related issues.
    • You must visit a full-service DMV location for driver's licenses, IDs, real IDs, Learner's Permits, & Vital Records.


 Restrictions End, Walk-Ins Welcome, Appointments Recommended

Schedule Your Appointment Here.

Attention Taxpayers
Required pandemic protocols ended June 30, 2021. No appointment is necessary, but most taxpayers are continuing to use our online link to reserve appointments. When taxpayers conduct their business online, it creates a safer and more efficient environment for everyone. Thank you for the contributions you make to our city, and for your patience over the past year as we endured disruptions related to COVID-19. Call on me personally at 757.385.4251 if you have questions or suggestions on how I may serve you better.

Sincerely, 
Phil Kellam, Commissioner

 Online Business License & Trustee Tax Filing and Payment Portal
​
​The Commissioner's online business license portal is now​ available for new applicants and established businesses. 

New businesses may enroll and register by completing the business license application online. Once the application is approved, a business account number will be assigned. 

Established businesses can enroll online and associate an existing business account to e-file, renew, make payments, and update business information with ease. 

The following information is necessary to register a business online:
    • ​Business Account Number
    • Federal ID number or Social Security Number (whichever you used to initially register the business)
    • Zip Code used for the business mailing address​
What can be done online after an account is created?
    • Apply for a new business license. 
        • A business license cannot be issued until all required documents are submitted.
    • File a business license renewal
    • Pay for a new business license or a business license renewal
    • Pay outstanding business license fees
    • Update business account mailing address and phone number
    • Notify us if your business is closed or closing.

Payments can be made by ACH/e-check at no charge
Payments to the City Treasurer made by major credit cards require a 2.5% fee or $1.00, whichever is greater.
    • Online payments made prior to 7:30 p.m. will be processed by the City Treasurer following business day.
    • Payments made online after 7:30 p.m. will be processed by the City Treasurer within two (2) business days.

To set up a new business license account and submit a new business license application, download this Portal Customer Guide for New Businesses.

To add or change account information for established businesses, or file and pay business license or trustee taxes, download this Business Portal Customer Guide.

To go directly to the business license portal, please visit VBePay ​. 


If you have questions, please contact the Business Taxpayers' Division of the Commissioner of the Revenue's office, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 757.385.4515.​

 Lodging Tax Code Changes effective September 1, 2021
​The General Assembly has changed the lodging tax code and these changes go into effect September 1, 2021.

Read about the changes that will affect submitting lodging taxes:

 Car Tax Appeals
Appeal Your 2021 Personal Property Assessment Here!

 DMV Select
​DMV Logo 

DMV SELECT AT THE COMMISSIONER OF THE REVENUE'S OFFICE IS OPEN FOR VEHICLE-RELATED TRANSACTIONS

Schedule Your Appointment Now at http://vb311.force.com/appointmentscheduler. 

Please note, as s a DMV Select Agent, the Commissioner of the Revenue can serve current DMV customers with vehicle-related issues, and the Department of Wildlife Resources (DWL), formerly the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) customers with hunting licenses, fishing licenses, and temporary boat registrations. Applicants for a driver's license or personal ID must continue to visit a DMV FULL-SERVICE CENTER. Bringing in completed DMV forms will save you time. Choose the quick access DMV links in this paragraph or visit DMV's homepage for more information.

Documents that provide proof of address, powers of attorney, and death certificates must be originals, not copies.

Titles

  • original (with or without liens)
  • substitute
  • replacement
  • title maintenance (change information on title records)
  • revised titles by issuing substitute title

Vehicle Registrations

  • originals
  • renewals
  • transfers
  • re-issue License Plates & Decals
  • ​Order handicapped plates & placards
  • Replace vehicle license plates
  • Transfer license plates
  • Issue new state license plates and license plate decals
  • Issue select special image vehicle license plates
  • Order special image vehicle license plates
  • Order personalized vehicle license plates
  • Accept surrendered license plates for sold or junked vehicles and prorate the personal property tax

Dealer Title and Registration Transactions

  • Complete title and registration transactions for automobile dealers
  • Drop off service available

Address Changes (not involving the issuance of a driver license or ID card)​

Returned Checks

  • Full payment
  • Partial payment

Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) . . .  formerly, the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF)

  • ​Hunting Licenses
  • Fishing Licenses
  • Temporary boat registrations

E-Z Pass On-The-Go Transponders

Other Services Offered:​

  • ​Trip permits
  • Overload permits
  • Transcripts:
  • Vehicle
  • Driver
  • ​​Voter registration applications accepted

DMV Select at the Commissioner's office accepts: Cash, check, credit, or debit cards.​

 Short-Term Rental Tax

The rental of homes & apartments and other such property on a short-term basis requires the person engaged in such activity to register with the Commissioner of the Revenue.  Applicants must provide a photo ID and proof of ownership or leasehold interest to register.

If you rent your entire property while not residing there,  you are required to register with the Commissioner of the Revenue and pay a $50 fee. You are then required to collect and remit the appropriate lodging taxes from your customers. 

If you reside at the property and rent a portion of your home, you are required to first obtain a business license. You are then required to collect and remit the appropriate lodging taxes from your customers. 

Failure to register whole-home rentals subjects you to a fine of $500 for EACH DAY the property is offered for rent. 

The tax for lodging is set by Virginia Beach City Council and is 9% (effective May 1, 2021) of the total amount paid for lodging, plus an additional flat tax of two dollars ($2.00) for each night the lodger rents. If the rental is located in Sandbridge, the tax rate is 10.5%, (effective May 1, 2021) of the total amount paid for lodging plus an additional flat tax of two dollars ($2.00) for each night the lodger rents.

If you are renting property on your own without using a real estate company or 3rd party facilitator, you must register with the Department of Taxation to remit Virginia State Sales Tax.

For more information on vacation rentals properties, please contact the Business Taxpayers Division at 757-385-4515 or email business@vbgov.com. ​

 Report Tax Violations
​​You may complete this form to report a concern or suspicion of  a tax violation regarding an individual's property or business within the City of Virginia Beach. The form may be submitted anonymously by leaving the name, email, and phone number fields blank. Please know, the complainant's information will remain confidential and your identity will not be disclosed.  
​ 

Concerned Citizen Report

 News you can use!
​1% State Transient Lodging Tax for the Hampton Roads Transportation District



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