Bookkeeping Services in Alexandria, VA
Associations near Carlyle, consultants in Old Town, restaurants on King Street and shops along Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray all run on the same thing: books that are right every month. Our team in Ashburn keeps them current remotely, with City of Alexandria license, property and meals tax filings in mind.
- City business license by March 1
- Property return by May 1
- Meals tax by the last day of the month
- Dues and grants tracked
Handled remotely from our Ashburn base. No office visits needed.
Doing business in Alexandria
The City of Alexandria is an independent city, not part of any county, and its Department of Finance handles every local business tax. That matters more than most owners expect, because the Alexandria postal area reaches well into Fairfax County. Businesses in Kingstowne, Franconia, Hybla Valley, Huntington and Lincolnia have Alexandria addresses but file with Fairfax County.
Inside the city, each business district has its own character. Old Town and King Street draw visitors to restaurants and shops, and Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray is a main street of mostly independently owned businesses. Carlyle and Eisenhower East are home to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office headquarters and the National Science Foundation. Potomac Yard gained its own Metro station in May 2023, next to Virginia Tech's Innovation Campus, and the former Landmark Mall site is being redeveloped as West End around a relocated Inova hospital.
The City's economic plan names nonprofits and associations, professional services, and entertainment and tourism as its target industries. Those are the businesses where clean books matter most: dues and grant reporting, billable hours, and daily sales that have to tie to monthly meals tax returns.
Bookkeeping services for Alexandria businesses
Monthly bookkeeping
Reconciled accounts and monthly statements, with revenue tracked by program, client or location when that matters.
Learn moreCleanup and catch up
Behind before an audit, a board meeting or tax season? We bring the books current first.
Learn morePayroll
Payroll for staff who live in Virginia, DC or Maryland, with the right state withholding for each person.
Learn moreLocal tax filings
Help with City of Alexandria license, property and meals tax returns, or Fairfax County filings if that is where you are.
Learn moreCity of Alexandria business taxes at a glance
Inside city limits, the City's Department of Finance handles every local business tax, with no county layer. Outside city limits, an Alexandria address usually means Fairfax County rules instead.
| Tax | What to know | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Business license (BPOL) | Based on prior year gross receipts. Smaller businesses pay little or nothing, and larger ones pay a rate per $100 of receipts that depends on the business category. Businesses that start during the year file right away. | March 1 |
| Business personal property | A return listing the furniture, computers and equipment your business owns, taxed at the rate the City sets each year. | Return May 1, payment October 5 |
| Meals tax | 5% on prepared food and drinks (2026 rate). Returns cannot be filed electronically yet. | Last day of the following month |
| Lodging tax | 6.5% plus $1.25 per room per night (2026 rates), on top of the state tax. | Last day of the following month |
Good to know: A late business license costs the greater of $10 or 10% of the tax, plus interest. If your address says Alexandria, confirm that your location is inside city limits before you register; many are in Fairfax County.
Rates and dates change. Confirm current figures with the locality before filing, or let us handle it.
Alexandria businesses we work with
Alexandria address, Fairfax County business?
If your business is in Kingstowne, Franconia, Hybla Valley or Huntington, your mail may say Alexandria, but your license, property and meals taxes go to Fairfax County under different rules and due dates. We confirm your jurisdiction before anything is filed.
Getting started with Quick Bookkeeping
- 01
Free consultation
We learn how your organization runs, which accounts and software you use, and whether you file with the City or Fairfax County.
- 02
Setup and catch up
We connect your accounts to QuickBooks Online, set up classes for programs, clients or locations, and bring past months current.
- 03
Monthly close
Reconciled accounts and monthly statements, with dues, grants or meals tax figures broken out where you need them.
- 04
Ready for filing season
Gross receipts totaled for the March 1 license return and an asset list ready for the May 1 property return.
Why Alexandria owners choose Quick Bookkeeping
- Ready for boards and membersBooks that separate restricted and unrestricted funds and answer the questions boards and members ask.
- Certified ProAdvisors, GoldMore than 30 years of combined bookkeeping and tax experience.
- Rated 5.0 on GoogleFrom 28 reviews by clients across Northern Virginia.
- Flat monthly pricingPlans from $395 a month, confirmed before any work begins.
Alexandria bookkeeping questions
Is Alexandria part of Fairfax County?
No. The City of Alexandria is an independent city with its own business license, property and meals taxes. Some areas with Alexandria mailing addresses, such as Kingstowne and Franconia, are in Fairfax County and follow county rules.
When is the Alexandria business license due?
Renewals are due March 1 and are based on the prior year's gross receipts. Smaller businesses pay little or nothing, and the rate for larger ones depends on the business category.
What is the meals tax in Alexandria?
The City charges 5% on prepared food and drinks. Returns and payment are due by the last day of the following month, and they cannot be filed electronically yet.
Do you keep books for associations and nonprofits?
Yes. We track dues, grants and restricted funds, reconcile every account monthly and keep your books ready for board reports and Form 990.
Do you have an office in Alexandria?
No. Our office is in Ashburn, and we work with Alexandria clients 100% remotely through a secure portal, phone and video.
Serving Alexandria and nearby communities
We work with businesses throughout the City of Alexandria, from Old Town and Del Ray to Carlyle, Potomac Yard and the West End, and in the Fairfax County communities with Alexandria addresses, including Kingstowne, Franconia, Huntington and Hybla Valley. Arlington County, just to the north, has its own rules, covered on our Arlington page.
See all areas we serveReady for clear books in Alexandria?
Tell us about your business or tax situation and get a quote, usually within one business day.