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The Global Insight

What are gross receipts in Virginia?

Author

James Williams

Updated on April 03, 2026

Income that is not derived from the exercise of the privilege for which the taxpayer is licensed by the locality do not constitute gross receipts for purposes of BPOL taxation. Activities of a taxpayer that serve only the taxpayer’s interest, and no other, do not give rise to gross receipts.

How does a gross receipts tax work?

Gross receipts taxes are applied to a company’s gross sales, without deductions for a firm’s business expenses, like compensation and cost of goods sold. These taxes land on businesses and capture business-to-business transactions in addition to final consumer purchases, leading to tax pyramiding.

Do I have to pay gross receipts tax?

Gross receipts tax is a tax some businesses must pay on their gross receipts. Unlike sales tax, gross receipts tax is not typically paid by the consumer (e.g., at the point of sale). However, GRT can be imposed on consumers in some areas. Some states levy gross receipts tax instead of corporate income tax.

Which states impose a gross receipts tax?

Summary: There are multiple states with gross receipts tax: Delaware, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington. Business owners should be aware of the gross receipts tax requirements in these states and to take action to prevent liabilities from accumulating over time.

What is included in gross receipts?

Gross receipts are the total amounts the organization received from all sources during its annual accounting period, without subtracting any costs or expenses.

What is included in taxable gross receipts?

Gross receipts include all revenue in whatever form received or accrued (in accordance with the entity’s accounting method) from whatever source, including from the sales of products or services, interest, dividends, rents, royalties, fees or commissions, reduced by returns and allowances.

Is a loan included in gross receipts?

Importantly, gross receipts do not include forgiven PPP loan proceeds or economic injury disaster loan (EIDL) advances. Guidance released by the Small Business Administration (SBA) provides a shortcut to calculating gross receipts based on the relevant lines of the tax return.

Where do I find monthly gross receipts on my tax return?

When you look at IRS Schedule C, the form for self-employment income, Part One’s first line says to provide your gross receipts.

How many states have a gross receipts tax?

These taxes land on businesses and capture business-to-business transactions in addition to final consumer purchases, leading to tax pyramiding. Seven states currently levy gross receipts taxes, while several others, including Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia, permit local taxes imposed on a gross receipts base.

What kind of taxes do you pay in Virginia?

Certain nonprofit entities registered in Virginia may be able to exempt some or all of their qualifying income from Virginia and federal income taxes. Specifically, certified Virginia 501(c) nonprofit corporations are exempt from the Virginia corporate income tax. Some of the most common 501(c) organizations include:

What is the corporate income tax in Virginia?

Virginia’s corporate income tax is a business tax levied on the gross taxable income of most businesses and corporations registered or doing business in Virginia. The Virginia corporate income tax is the business equivalent of the Virginia personal income tax, and is based on a bracketed tax system.

How does gross receipts tax affect a business?

Gross receipts taxes impact firms with low profit margins and high production volumes, as the tax does not account for a business’ costs of production, as a corporate income tax would. These taxes can be particularly severe for start-ups and entrepreneurs, who typically post losses in early years while still owing gross receipts payments.