Taxman Wrote:
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> No news here Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Pretty much every area jurisdiction but Clifton
> > and Fairfax COUNTY have a meals tax.
>
That's because due to a quirk in the law, cities and towns can enact a meals tax without having to get public approval in the form of a referendum.
The enabling legislation for towns is Virginia Code § 58.1-3840.
http://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/58.1-3840/, while for counties it's § 58.1-3833
http://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/58.1-3833/.
Here's a short list of meals taxes in local jurisdictions:
Arlington - 4.0%, passed in 1991. There was a special carve-out in the law that allowed them to pass a meals tax without seeking a voter referendum.
Alexandria - 4.0% Originally passed at 1% in 1975.
Fairfax City - 4.0%
Falls Church - 4.0%
Herndon - 2.5%, originally passed in 2003 at 1.5%. Increased to 2.5% in 2011.
Manassas - 4.0%, passed in 1988.
Mansassas Park 4.0%, passed in 1991.
Vienna - 3.0% Enacted in 1990. Hiked to 4.0% in 2001, but later reduced.