Food & Beverage Tax

Newport News Food & Beverage Tax


The City of Newport News charges a tax on all food and beverages, including alcoholic beverages, sold in or from a food establishment, whether prepared or consumed in the food establishment or not, and whether consumed on the premises of the food establishment or not.

"Food Establishments" includes any place in or from which food or beverages or both, are sold and includes but not limited to, any restaurant, dining room, grill, coffee shop, cafeteria, cafe, snack bar, lunch counter, movie theater, delicatessen, confectionery, bakery, eating house, eatery, drugstore, ice cream/yogurt shops, lunch wagon or truck, pushcart or other mobile facility from which food is sold, public or private club resort, bar lounge, or other similar establishment, public or private.

The seller is obligated to charge and collect the food and beverage tax from the purchaser and remit the tax to the Commissioner of the Revenue on or before the 20th of each month following the month of collection. If the food and beverage tax is paid on time, the seller is allowed a 3% deduction of the amount of the tax due when submitting his return and paying the amount that is due.

You may obtain a copy of the "Guidelines for Food and Beverage Tax" contacting the Related Tax Department.

Refer to the Business Related Taxes rate schedule for current tax rates.

For assistance with Food & Beverage tax, please call the Related Taxes Department at 757-926-8644.