Credit card processing and merchant services in Alexandria, VA
Sales in Alexandria carry the 6% Northern Virginia rate, and as an independent city, Alexandria levies the 1% local share of it in its own code. Restaurants also collect a city meals tax.
Alexandria is an independent city, which in Virginia means it isn't part of any county, and its own code levies the local part of the sales tax. Article H of the city's tax chapter imposes a general retail sales tax of 1% under section 3-2-91. Virginia Tax lists Alexandria in its Northern Virginia group at 6%, which is that 1%, the 4.3% state tax and a 0.7% regional tax.
Restaurants have a second city tax to set up. Alexandria's tax code has a separate article on meals sold by restaurants, so the meals tax goes on the check next to the 6%. We couldn't confirm its current rate from an official source, so get the figure from the City of Alexandria before you program your POS. And before you set up either tax, make sure your address is inside the city limits.
The newer rule is about how you show prices. Section 59.1-608 of the Code of Virginia, in force since July 1, 2025, says an advertised or displayed price must include all mandatory fees or surcharges. In our reading, an online booking fee or a service charge that every client pays belongs in the first price people see. A credit card surcharge that customers can skip by paying with debit or cash isn't mandatory, and the card networks cap it at 3% for Visa and 4% for Mastercard.
A location in Washington, DC follows District law instead, including its requirement that retailers accept cash. Our Washington, DC page covers those rules, and the Virginia page has the state statute and sources.
The Census Bureau estimated Alexandria's population at 160,662 on July 1, 2025, up 0.7% from April 2020. We serve Alexandria businesses remotely on interchange-plus pricing. Firms that bill clients can send invoices and payment links from our virtual terminal, and a free statement review is the easiest first step.
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Common questions
What is the sales tax in Alexandria, VA?
6% on most taxable sales. Virginia Tax places Alexandria in its Northern Virginia group, where a 0.7% regional tax joins the 4.3% state tax and the 1% local tax, which the city levies under section 3-2-91 of its code. Recheck Virginia Tax's list before you open a second location.
Does Alexandria have a restaurant meals tax?
Yes. Alexandria's tax code has a separate article for the tax on meals sold by restaurants, collected on top of the 6% sales tax. We couldn't confirm the current rate from an official page, so get it from the City of Alexandria and give it a separate tax line in your POS.
Does the Virginia total-price rule apply to booking fees in Alexandria?
If every customer has to pay the fee, it's mandatory in our reading. Section 59.1-608 of the Code of Virginia has required advertised and displayed prices to include mandatory fees and surcharges since July 1, 2025, so show the full price first and itemize after. Have an attorney check your booking flow.
Can an Alexandria shop surcharge credit cards?
Yes, as long as customers can avoid the fee by paying with debit or cash. We haven't found a Virginia statute that caps surcharges, so the networks' limits apply: 3% or your cost on Visa, 4% or your cost on Mastercard, nothing on debit or prepaid cards, and notice at the entrance, at checkout and on the receipt.
Do my Alexandria and Washington, DC locations follow the same rules?
No. The Alexandria store follows Virginia law, including the total-price rule for mandatory fees, and charges Virginia sales tax. A DC store follows District law, which requires retailers to accept cash. Visa's and Mastercard's surcharge caps apply in both places. Our Washington, DC page has the details.
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Disclaimer: general information, not professional advice
This page is general educational information, not legal, tax, accounting or financial advice. Rules and rates vary by place and change, so confirm them with the official source and a qualified professional before you act. Full terms are in our Terms of Service.
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