Why is there a NEW FOOD TAX OF UP TO 6% in the new Fairfax County budget?
The State of Virginia has a 6% sales tax on restaurant food, but the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors are proposing an additional 6% meals tax on top, which brings the total tax to 12% on prepared foods!
This unfair treatment is killing hundreds of small, popular restaurants and their thousands of employees. The last time they tried to do this you had the right to vote on it, now they’re forcing it through without giving you a choice.
If the Fairfax Food Tax passes, you’ll pay up to 12% tax for these items and many others including…
- All prepared meals and beverages, not just restaurants.
- All ready-to-eat prepared foods sold in the county, by anybody, to anybody.
- Fast food, fast casual, formal dining, informal dining. Salad and sandwiches in convenience stores.
- Carry-out” food, “to-go” orders and food truck purchases.
- Catered meals.
- Concessions at sporting events and movie theaters (some exceptions).
- All prepared and ready-to-eat food at the grocery store.
- Beer, wine and food consumed at breweries and wineries.
- Home delivery of all food and beverages, including pizza and burgers.
- The list goes on...
Tell your Supervisor to vote NO on the FOOD TAX!
NOVA Kitchen Cabinet
The NOVA Kitchen Cabinet was established by VRLTA in 2025 to better engage with Northern Virginia business owners on advocacy issues that are impacting the region, while providing them the tools they need to engage with local government.
The goal of this initiative is to create a toolkit approach for how restaurant communities can engage with their representatives and combat issues like meals taxes, tipped wage, polystyrene container bands, and more. VRLTA will also develop a "Local Lobbyist" certification program that will be provided to all businesses that participate in our advocacy training.
If you're interested in learning more about the NOVA Kitchen Cabinet - please reach out to VRLTA Director of Government Affairs Tommy Herbert.
For me, the real value I get out of my membership is the advocacy and representation provided by the VRLTA. They actively work to protect the interests of the restaurant and hospitality industries, lobbying for favorable policies and legislation at both the state and national levels. Their voice carriers significant weight in the commonwealth, and I find comfort in knowing that my concerns as a restaurateur are being heard and acted upon.
- Frank Thomas Brunetto, Director of Operations, Enviro-care
