Does Virginia charge sales tax on services?

by Sarah Craig April 10, 2024


The majority of U.S. states require merchants to charge sales tax on tangible personal property (TPP), otherwise known as physical goods. Many states also implement sales and use tax on digital goods and SaaS. Because the economy has shifted over time from a manufacturing economy to a service economy, states are now looking to generate revenue by taxing services.

Here’s what merchants need to know about taxing services in the state of Virginia, which has a state sales tax rate of 5.3%. 

Does Virginia charge sales tax on services?

Services in Virginia are generally not taxable, with a few exceptions. The following are taxable services in Virginia:

  • Any services included in or in connection with the sale of tangible personal property
  • Any services in connection with the fabrication of tangible personal property whether or not the customer furnishes, either directly or indirectly, the materials used in fabrication 
  • Any services in connection with the furnishing, preparing, or serving by a person for a consideration of meals or other tangible personal property
  • Any rooms, lodgings or accommodations furnished to transients by any hotel, motel, inn, tourist camp or cabin, camping grounds, club or any other similar place furnished for less than 90 continuous days 

Please keep in mind that this is a guideline, and you should consult with a sales tax professional to determine if the services your business provides should be subject to state sales tax. For an in-depth look at Virginia sales tax, TaxJar’s guide to sales tax in Virginia and the Virginia Department of Taxation has more details.


The basics of US sales tax

Learn the fundamentals of sales tax.

Watch the video