News

Actions

Legislation advances for Henrico and Chesterfield meal tax

Posted at 9:03 PM, Jan 23, 2013
and last updated 2013-01-24 00:15:48-05

 Richmond, VA (WTVR) - In the future, it could cost you more to eat out in Henrico and Chesterfield Counties.

Lawmakers at the General Assembly have advanced legislation that would make it easier for those counties to charge customers more for restaurant meals. 

The legislation, which still needs full approval from the House and Senate, would allow both Henrico and Chesterfield to impose the meals tax without a voter referendum.

Right now, the City of Richmond is the only area that charges a tax on restaurant food. The extra six percent charge brings the total tax of a meal to 11 percent. 

Tammy Hawley, press secretary for Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones, said in 2011, that the meals tax is 5.7 percent of general fund taxes, or $24.3 million a year.