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Business License

  • Submit renewals and payments through the Taxpayer Portal for faster processing. Click here to register for an online account or log in (if you already have one).To set up a portal account, use the Tax Account number printed on your billing statement in the upper right corner. 

    Business License Renewals - Businesses that were issued a license for the preceding year will receive a renewal application in the mail in January. The license application and payment in full is due by March 1. If the application and payment deadline falls on a weekend, the deadline is the next business day. This video provides step-by-step instructions on how to complete your license renewal using the Tax Portal.

    A license tax is imposed on businesses with gross receipts (purchases in the case of wholesale merchants) of $500,000 or more for license years beginning in 2019 or after.

    If the license tax due is not paid in full by the application and payment deadline, a 10% late payment penalty and interest of 10% per annum (computed daily) are assessed.

    If you did not receive a license application by mail, the current year renewal form and instructions are available here:

     

    New Businesses - Getting Your Prince William County Business License Brochure, ADQUISICIÓN DE LA LICENCIA COMERCIAL DEL CONDADO DE PRINCE WILLIAM

    Application and payment are due within 30 days of beginning business in the County. Only businesses with expected annual gross receipts (purchases in the case of wholesale merchants) of $500,000 or more and building trade contractors are required to file. However, any business located in the County may file and obtain a business license and is encouraged to do so since the process ensures that you are in compliance with most other County requirements. For businesses with expected annual gross receipts (purchases in the case of wholesale merchants) of less than $500,000, the license tax due is $0.00.

    The County's BPOL Ordinance requires the applicant to estimate for the first partial calendar year of operation. A true-up to the actual first-year gross receipts occurs in the second year, so it is important to estimate your gross receipts accurately.

    A separate license is issued for each County business location, home-based business, and contractors doing work in Prince William County but not based in Prince William County. Please carefully read the Business License Instructions before beginning the business license application.

    Address validation by the GTS Office is required for all businesses operating in a commercial structure in Prince William County. Owners should contact the GIS Office at 703-792-6840 for information on how to complete this process.

    All businesses in Prince William County, including home-based businesses, must comply with the County's Zoning Ordinance. Information is available on the Zoning Office website or by contacting the Zoning Administration Office at 703-792-6830.

    Additional requirements for building trade contractors

    Completed applications should be mailed to the Tax Administration Division at:

    Prince William County
    Tax Administration Division
    PO Box 2467
    Woodbridge, VA 22195-2467

    Applications sent Express, Overnight Package Delivery, or Signature Required:

    Prince William County
    Tax Administration Division 1st FL
    1 County Complex Court
    Woodbridge, VA 22192-9201

    Peddler Solicitor Vendor - Any person desiring to act as a peddler, solicitor, or itinerant vendor in Prince William County must comply with all County Code Chapter 18 Article II provisions.  For more information, visit the Prince William County Police Department Peddler Solicitor Vendor page. 

    Business Located in a Town - Businesses located in the Town of Dumfries, Haymarket, Occoquan, or Quantico and contractors doing construction or repair work on a property located in the Town of Dumfries, Haymarket, Occoquan, or Quantico 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.

    Prior Year Business License Forms - The pre-printed renewal application identifies businesses missing one or more filing years. Once you have received your first business license, you are considered “in business” until you declare in writing that your business has ended. If you have missed a required filing for one or more prior years, use the links below to download the application for any missing years.

     2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023| 2024

    More Information – For more information, refer to the BPOL Ordinance Chapter 11.1, Article II Business Professional and Occupational License or the Tax Rate Schedule.

    Taxpayer Assistance- Taxpayer Services Representatives are available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (excluding holidays), by phone at 703-792-6710 (TTY 711), by email at [email protected]. For office hours and locations, visit Contact Taxpayer Services. 

     

  • Business License and/or Business Tangible Property Tax – Any business operating in Prince William County that has stopped operations permanently, or moved out of Prince William County to a different jurisdiction, must complete and submit a Business Closure Form for each location. Once completed, please send the closure form via email to [email protected]. 

    **If closing operations permanently and dissolving the business, you must dissolve your fictitious/trade name by contacting the Circuit Court Clerk's Office and/or the State Corporation Commission.