What is the sales tax rate in Virginia Beach?
The combined sales tax rate in Virginia Beach, Virginia is 6% as of 2026. It is made up of the Virginia statewide base rate of 5%, plus applicable Virginia Beach City County and local district taxes. Virginia Beach sits within Virginia Beach City County, and the rate can vary slightly across ZIP codes because of special district additions (see the ZIP breakdown below).
Sales tax in Virginia is administered by the Virginia Department of Taxation, which collects and distributes tax on behalf of the state and its local jurisdictions. The rate applies to most retail sales of tangible personal property delivered within Virginia Beach.
Who needs to collect sales tax in Virginia Beach, Virginia?
Any business with sales tax nexus in Virginia must register, collect, and remit sales tax on taxable sales delivered to Virginia Beach. Nexus is established through:
- Physical presence: an office, store, warehouse, employee, or inventory located in Virginia.
- Economic nexus: exceeding $100,000 in sales to Virginia customers in the current or prior year.
- Marketplace facilitators: platforms such as Amazon or Etsy collect and remit on behalf of their third-party sellers.
Out-of-state (remote) sellers that cross Virginia's economic nexus threshold must register with the Virginia Department of Taxation before continuing to sell into the state.
How do you register for a sales tax permit in Virginia Beach?
To collect sales tax in Virginia Beach, you must register for a sales tax permit with the Virginia Department of Taxation. Registration is generally free. You will typically need your EIN or SSN, business entity details, bank account information, and an estimate of your monthly Virginia sales. Most permits are issued within a few business days of an online application.
How do you charge the right sales tax in Virginia Beach?
Sales tax in Virginia Beach is charged based on the delivery address. For orders shipped to a Virginia Beach address, the combined rate of 6% generally applies; for in-store sales, the rate is based on the store's location. Because some ZIP codes within Virginia Beach City County carry additional special-district taxes, always confirm the exact rate for the specific delivery ZIP code. The tables below show the most common Virginia Beach ZIP codes and how Virginia Beach compares with other cities in Virginia Beach City County and across Virginia.
