Yes Virginia!
Why?
Virginia delivers on the rhetoric. Located adjacent to Washington D.C., Virginia is strategically located on the U.S. East Coast. Fifty-six percent of all U.S. consumers live within 1,200 km (745 mi) of Virginia. Virginia's Washington Dulles International Airport serves 80+ U.S. cities and 40 non-stop destinations worldwide and is the 6th busiest U.S. airport for international travel.
- Virginia is a right to work state which eliminates a company's requirement for a unionized work force. This assists manufacturers in keeping labor costs competitive.
- 14 Commercial airports serve Virginia, including two of the nation's busiest: Washington Dulles International and Ronald Reagan Washington National.
- 14 railroads operate on more than 5,470 km (3,400 mi) of railway in Virginia, including 4,987 km (3100 mi) of Class l rail lines.
- The Port of Virginia offers world-class shipping facilities and a schedule of approximately 3,000 sailings annually to 250 ports in 100 foreign countries.
- Virginia's highway system features more than 112,630 km (70,000 mi) of interstate, primary and secondary roads.
- In short, Virginia has a robust economy, a pro-business climate, financial advantages, a quality workforce, excellent education system, innovative research and development, great transportation infrastructure, heavy international investment, and a high quality of life.
- See why advanced agribusinesses often choose Virginia
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Each state has a different tax strategy. It's important to look at how each state's complete tax, fee, and license structure affects your business to ensure that you have a complete picture!
How?
Deciding to join us in the commonwealth is the easy part! The Governor's Office and the Department of Commerce and Trade are here to assist you from pro-industry policy to your individual site-selection needs.
Coming to Virginia
Whether you're moving or expandingto the commonwealth, these steps will help you get up and running quickly. (Be sure to check the workforce section for any employees who will be permanently moving to Virginia.)
- If your business is MOVING to Virginia and is structured as a CORPORATION in its home state or country,
- file Articles of Domestication for a Corporation.
- Then get the Annual Corporate Requirements and Entrance Fee Schedule.
- file Articles of Domestication for a Corporation.
- If your business is EXPANDING to Virginia (i.e. opening a new office or location) and it's structured as a CORPORATION in its home state or country,
- obtain a Certificate of Authority.
- Then get the Notice to Foreign Corporations.
- obtain a Certificate of Authority.
- If your business is MOVING to Virginia and is structured as an LLC in its home state or country,
- file Articles of Domestication for an LLC.
- Then get the Notice to Virginia LLC's.
- file Articles of Domestication for an LLC.
- If your business is EXPANDING to Virginia (i.e. opening a new office or location) and it's structured as an LLC in its home state or country,
- apply for a Certificate of Registration to Transact Business as a Foreign LLC.
- Then get the Notice to Foreign LLC's.
- apply for a Certificate of Registration to Transact Business as a Foreign LLC.
- For state taxes (like sales tax, employee witholding, etc.), you’ll need to register as a new business,
or call 804-367-8037. - As an established company, you probably need state licenses and permits. Check the list.
- Contact the Commissioner of Revenue or the Department of Finance and the Zoning Office for each city, county, and town in which your business will have an office or physical location to check local permits and licensing requirements.
Workforce Issues
Moving between states has little impact on your federal filings. However, at the state level, you're effectively starting a new employee/employer relationship for the purpose of state regulations. Keep in mind both employees that will be moving and new hires within Virginia.
- For employees in Virginia, obtain a Virginia tax account number in order to set up withholding and unemployment tax accounts,or call 804-367-8037.
- Virginia offers an array of workforce development incentives.
- Retraining? Localized career centers provide a wide range of employment training, and career education programs.
- You can also access an employer guide to unemployment taxes.
- If you employ three or more employees, be aware of the requirements for workers' compensation.
- Get a listing
of all federal and state posters that employers are required to post visible to employees.
I'm in another country.
Over 700 internationally-owned companies operate in The Commonwealth of Virginia. Companies in another country are expanding into the United States and into Virginia. Most foreign businesses choose to start new U.S. divisions: Canon USA, Volkswagen of America, Rolls Royce, Volvo Trucks, and other success stories.
- Virginia has an a in-depth FAQ, regional international investment managers, as well as offices located around the world.
- There are companies that can help enter the U.S. market through Virginia.
- Register to receive your Federal Employer Identification Number or "FEIN"
- Get a listingof all federal and state posters that employers are required to post visible to employees.
- Contact the Commissioner of Revenue or the Department of Finance and the Zoning Office for each city, county, and town in which your business will have an office or physical location to check local permits and licensing requirements.
