Getting Your Business License

All businesses are encouraged to obtain a business license regardless of reported gross receipts, but all businesses must maintain a tangible business account.

Any business, including those engaged in a home occupation or who are self-employed, whose prior year gross receipts are $500,000 and greater, or new businesses that expect their annual gross receipts to be $500,000 and greater, must obtain a business license and will have a license tax due. Businesses with gross receipts less than $500,000 will not have taxes due to obtain a license.

Itinerant merchants and peddlers must file and obtain a business license prior to any sales.

A separate license is issued for each county business location and home-based business, and for contractors doing work in Prince William County, regardless of whether the business is based in Prince William County.

To initially apply for a business license, you can visit the Prince William County Tax Administration Division in person or email all the required documentation to [email protected]. You can download the forms from the Business License tab.

The application and payment are due within 30 days of beginning business in the county. Payment is based on an estimate of gross receipts.

After your business license is issued, you must renew it and pay the fee (if applicable) in full annually by March.

The business license fee depends on the BPOL tax rate for the business’s particular category.

Separate licenses are issued for each county business location. If more than one tax rate is involved, each licensable activity will require a business license.

Exemption status is given to the following business classes: farmers for sales of products grown and sold at the farm, insurance companies, newspapers, nonprofit businesses, banks, peddlers who grow their own products, TV and radio, manufacturers selling wholesale, and manufacturers renting commercial or residential property.

Businesses that fall under the exemption status will need to have a Business Tangible Personal Property account setup.

Businesses located in the Towns of Dumfries, Haymarket, Occoquan or Quantico and contractors doing construction or repair work on a property located in those towns should contact the respective town offices for information concerning business license requirements.

Businesses located in any of the towns within Prince William County are subject to the same business tangible personal property tax as all other businesses located in the county and must file an annual Business Tangible Personal Property Return with the county.

The Business Tangible Personal Property tax is levied on all general office furniture and equipment, machinery and tools, equipment used for research and development, heavy construction equipment, computer equipment, and peripherals located in the county on January 1 of each year. Business Tangible Personal Property returns must be filed by April 15 each year, and payments are due October 5.

For more information on applying for and renewing business licenses, contact the Tax Administration Division by one of the following methods:

Phone: (703) 792-6710

Email: [email protected]

Website: pwcva.gov/department/tax-administration/business-license

In person: 5 County Complex Court, Prince William, VA 22192

Documents that will need to be supplied with a completed Business License Application include:

• Assumed Name Certificate for trades and general partnerships (see license application to see if applicable)
• Corporate Charter with State Corporation Commission (see license application to see if applicable)
• Partnership Agreement with State Corporation Commission (see license application to see if applicable)
• Zoning and “Final” Occupancy Permit (Building) or Home Occupancy Certificate (Zoning) required 
• Contractor’s Certification of Insuring Liability (see license application to see if applicable)
• Required receipts, certificates, and licenses from applicable state and local agencies (a business license is nontransferable)

License applications and payment must be filed by March 1 of each year or within 30 days of the business start date. The county imposes a 10 percent late fee if payment is not made on time. Also, a 10 percent interest charge (per annum) begins accruing on the first day of the month following the due date.

Note: The Business License is issued once all required documentation is received and any delinquent county taxes have been paid in full.

The following actions, if applicable to your business, must be taken before a Prince William County Business License is issued.

1. Register the Entity with the State Corporation Commission (SCC)

For General Partnerships, Limited Partnerships, Foreign Limited Partnerships and Corporations or Limited Liability Companies to become incorporated in Virginia, an organization must file articles of incorporation and amendments with the SCC.

804-371-9733

scc.virginia.gov

2. Register Trade Name

A Fictitious or “Doing Business As”/Trade/Assumed Name is required if a business is conducted in Virginia under a name other than the owner’s legal name. An assumed or fictitious name certificate must be filed with the State Corporation Commission (SCC).

804-371-9733

scc.virginia.gov

3. Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN)

The EIN number is used to identify a business entity with the Internal Revenue Service.

www.irs.gov

4. Register with the Virginia Employment Commission

If you have employees, you must register with the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC).

vec.virginia.gov

5. Obtain Workers’ Compensation

As a rule, a business with more than two employees is required to carry workers’ compensation coverage. An employer may insure for workers’ compensation through a commercial insurer, self-insurance, a group self-insurance association or through a professional employer organization.

Virginia Workers Compensation Commission

877-664-2566

workcomp.virginia.gov

6. Confirm Business Regulations

If your business is a regulated industry or requires a professional registration license, contact the Virginia Department of Professional Occupational Regulation to confirm licensure or certification requirements.

dpor.virginia.gov

7. Obtain a Contractor's License

If your business is engaged in the construction, removal, repair, or improvement of facilities on property owned by others, the Board of Contractors issues licenses in one of three classes: Class A, Class B, and Class C. In most cases, the type of license you should apply for is based on the value or contract price of the projects your business will be bidding on or engaged in.

Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation

9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 400

Richmond VA 23233-1485

804-367-8500

dpor.virginia.gov

8. Register with Virginia Department of Taxation

If your business will collect and remit sales and use tax, food and beverage tax (meals tax) or has any other business tax requirements, you will need to register with the Virginia  Department of Taxation. 

tax.virginia.gov

9. Obtain Environmental Health Permit for Food Establishments

If your business is a food establishment, the Tax Administration Division cannot issue a license until an Environmental Health Permit is obtained.

Virginia Department of Health

8470 Kao Circle

Manassas, VA 20110

703-792-6310

vdh.virginia.gov/prince-william-environmental-health

10. Obtain Alcoholic Beverage Importation and Sales License

If your business sells alcoholic beverages, including manufacturers, wholesalers, shippers of alcoholic beverages, restaurants, hotels, convenience stores and grocery stores, licenses are issued by the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

License Record Management

804-213-4577

abc.virginia.gov

11. Police Department Licensing

Certain businesses such as peddlers, itinerant vendors, pawnshop owners and dealers of special metals and gems need a license or permit from the Prince William County Police Department.

8406 Kao Circle

Manassas, VA 20110

703-792-4183

Police Department/Licenses

Police Department/peddler-solicitor-vendor

12. Confirm Zoning and Building Requirements for Certificate of Final Occupancy

Zoning ordinances allow businesses of various kinds to be located in some areas of the county, but not others. Building codes regulate new construction, major renovation or change in use group in an existing building.

An address verification, zoning and building clearance and Certificate of Final Occupancy is required of all businesses. If you work out of your residence, you must obtain a Home Occupancy Permit.

Office of Zoning

5 County Complex Court 

Prince William, VA 22192

703-792-6830

pwcva.gov/dds