Quick answer: Most Loudoun County businesses owe two local taxes: the business license tax (BPOL) and the business tangible personal property tax on equipment owned on January 1. Both the license renewal and the property return are due March 1, and the property tax is paid in halves on May 5 and October 5. If your business is in an incorporated town such as Leesburg, you get your license from the town instead.
Running a business in Ashburn means more than federal and Virginia income tax. Loudoun County also collects a business license tax and a tax on business equipment. Both are due early in the year, and both carry penalties if you miss them.
County or town: who you file with
Ashburn is not an incorporated town, so Ashburn businesses file directly with Loudoun County. If your business is located inside an incorporated town such as Leesburg or Purcellville, you get your business license from the town instead. You still file your business property return with the county.
The business license tax (BPOL)
Every business in the county, including home based businesses, must register for a business license within 30 days of starting operations. Here is how it works:
- First year: a $30 flat fee
- Later years: the tax is based on your prior year gross receipts
- Gross receipts of $200,000 or less: the tax stays at $30
- Over $200,000: a rate per $100 of gross receipts applies, based on your business classification
- Home based businesses with $10,000 or less in receipts: exempt from the fee but must still report
Renewals are filed and paid by March 1 each year. Late filings carry a 10% penalty.
Business tangible personal property tax
Loudoun County also taxes the equipment your business owns or uses as of January 1. That includes:
- Furniture and fixtures
- Computers and office equipment
- Machinery and tools
- Other equipment used in the business
The return is due March 1. You can request a 30 day extension by asking the county before the deadline. The tax itself is paid in two halves, on May 5 and October 5.
Tip: Keep a simple fixed asset list in your books with the purchase date and cost of each item. It makes this return quick and helps with depreciation on your income tax return.
Loudoun County tax calendar
| Date | What is due |
|---|---|
| February 1 | Personal property return for vehicles (individuals) |
| March 1 | Business license renewal, filing and payment |
| March 1 | Business tangible personal property return |
| May 5 | First half of personal property tax (vehicles and business property) |
| June 5 | First half of real estate tax |
| October 5 | Second half of personal property tax |
| December 5 | Second half of real estate tax and supplemental personal property tax |
When a date falls on a weekend, the deadline moves to the next business day.
Virginia taxes to keep in mind
- Your Virginia income tax return (Form 760 for individuals, Form 502 for S corps and partnerships)
- Sales and use tax if you sell taxable goods
- Virginia withholding if you have employees
- The $50 annual registration fee for LLCs, paid to the State Corporation Commission
For a full picture of filing dates, see our tax season checklist for Ashburn businesses.
→Related guideWhat Ashburn Small Businesses Should Know Before Tax SeasonIt turns these county dates into a simple checklist alongside your federal and Virginia deadlines.Loudoun County business tax FAQs
Does Virginia require a statewide business license?
No. Virginia has no general statewide business license, so licensing happens at the county, city or town level. Some professions and trades also need a separate license from the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation.
Is the Loudoun County BPOL tax based on profit or revenue?
It is based on gross receipts, meaning total revenue before expenses. A business with high sales and thin margins can owe more than a smaller business with a large profit.
Do I need a Loudoun County business license for a home based business?
Yes. Home based businesses must register within 30 days of starting. If your gross receipts are $10,000 or less, you are exempt from the $30 fee, but you still need to report each year.
Do I owe business property tax on a laptop I use at home for my business?
Usually yes. Computers, furniture and other equipment used in your business are reportable as of January 1, even if they sit in your home office.
What happens if I file my Loudoun County business license late?
Late filings carry a 10% penalty, and interest can apply to unpaid tax. If you missed a year, it is usually best to file right away rather than wait for a notice.
Let us track the deadlines for you
Local taxes are easy to forget because they are not part of your income tax return. When we handle your bookkeeping and state and local taxes, we pull your gross receipts and asset list straight from your books and keep you ahead of every Loudoun County deadline.
This article is general information and not tax advice for your situation. Tax rules change, so talk with a qualified professional before making decisions.
