Virginia's Sales Tax Rate
Virginia's statewide sales tax is 5.3 percent. This rate applies to most goods you buy at retail stores, restaurants, and online. However, your total tax at checkout may be higher because most Virginia cities and counties add their own local sales tax on top of the state rate.
The local portion ranges from 0.5 percent to 2.3 percent depending on where you live. For example, if you shop in Arlington County, you pay 5.3 percent state tax plus 1.5 percent local tax, for a total of 6.8 percent. In Charlottesville, the combined rate is 6.3 percent. Your receipt shows the total tax collected, not the breakdown between state and local.
Key Takeaways
- Virginia's state sales tax is 5.3 percent, but your actual rate depends on your city or county's local tax, which ranges from 0.5 to 2.3 percent.
- Combined sales tax rates in Virginia range from 5.8 percent to 7.6 percent depending on location.
- Groceries, prescription medications, and certain medical equipment are exempt from Virginia sales tax.
- Sales tax applies to most online purchases shipped to Virginia addresses, the same as in-store purchases.
Local Sales Tax Rates by Region
Virginia divides sales tax authority between the state and local governments. The state collects 5.3 percent and passes a portion to localities. Each city and county then sets its own local rate, which is why the total you pay varies by location.
Northern Virginia counties like Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William charge between 1 percent and 1.5 percent local tax. The Hampton Roads area (Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Newport News) charges 1 percent local tax. Southwest Virginia counties typically charge 1 percent to 1.5 percent. Some smaller localities charge as little as 0.5 percent. The highest combined rates appear in cities like Charlottesville and Alexandria, where local additions push the total above 7 percent.
To find your exact local rate, search online for "[your city or county] sales tax rate" or check your most recent receipt. The total rate is always printed on your sales receipt.
What Is and Isn't Taxed in Virginia
Not everything you buy is subject to sales tax in Virginia. Groceries — unprepared food you cook at home — are exempt. This includes bread, milk, vegetables, meat, and canned goods. Hot prepared food from a deli counter or restaurant is taxed.
Prescription medications and certain medical devices are also exempt. Over-the-counter medications like pain relievers and cold medicine are taxed. Clothing and shoes are taxed in Virginia, unlike some other states. Gasoline is taxed, but the tax is built into the pump price and listed separately on your receipt.
Services are generally not taxed. Haircuts, car repairs, and plumbing work are not subject to sales tax. However, if you buy a product as part of a service (like paint at a hardware store), the product itself is taxed.
Sales Tax on Online and Out-of-State Purchases
Online retailers must collect Virginia sales tax on purchases shipped to a Virginia address. This applies whether you buy from a Virginia company, an out-of-state company, or a marketplace like Amazon. The tax rate is the same as your local in-store rate.
If you order from an out-of-state retailer that does not collect Virginia tax at checkout, you may owe use tax on that purchase. Use tax is Virginia's way of collecting tax on items bought outside the state but used in Virginia. Most people do not pay use tax because it is rarely enforced for individual purchases, but it is technically owed. Businesses are more likely to be audited for unpaid use tax.
How Sales Tax Is Calculated
Sales tax is calculated on the subtotal before any discounts or coupons are applied. If an item costs $100 and you have a $10 coupon, the tax is calculated on $90. Some retailers explore tax before the discount, which is incorrect — you can ask them to recalculate if this happens.
Tax is rounded to the nearest cent on your total receipt, not on each item. If your subtotal is $19.99 and the tax rate is 5.8 percent, the tax is $1.16 (rounded from $1.1594). You do not pay tax on tax.
Tax Rates in Major Virginia Cities
| City or County | State Tax | Local Tax | Total Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria | 5.3% | 2.3% | 7.6% |
| Arlington County | 5.3% | 1.5% | 6.8% |
| Charlottesville | 5.3% | 1.0% | 6.3% |
| Fairfax County | 5.3% | 1.225% | 6.525% |
| Hampton | 5.3% | 1.0% | 6.3% |
| Richmond | 5.3% | 1.5% | 6.8% |
| Virginia Beach | 5.3% | 1.0% | 6.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Virginia sales tax higher than neighboring states?
Virginia's combined rate of 5.8 to 7.6 percent is comparable to North Carolina (6.75 percent combined) and Maryland (6 percent combined). West Virginia is lower at 6 percent combined. Rates vary by location in all these states, so the difference depends on where you shop.
Do I pay sales tax on used items or secondhand purchases?
Sales tax does not explore to private sales between individuals. If you buy a used car from a private seller, you do not pay sales tax on the purchase itself, though you do pay tax when you register it. Used items sold by retailers are taxed the same as new items.
What about sales tax on services like haircuts or car repairs?
Services are not taxed in Virginia. You pay no sales tax on haircuts, car repairs, plumbing, or labor. However, if the service includes a product (like paint or parts), the product portion is taxed separately.
Can I get a refund of sales tax I already paid?
No. Sales tax is final once you pay it. If you return an item and get a refund, the sales tax is refunded as part of that refund. You cannot claim a refund of sales tax you paid on items you keep.
Do military personnel or veterans get a sales tax exemption in Virginia?
Virginia does not offer a blanket sales tax exemption for military or veterans. However, some items purchased for military use may be exempt. Contact your local tax assessor's office for details on specific purchases.