Town of Herndon, VA
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When to apply for a Business Professional Occupation License (BPOL)?
Per Town Code Sec. 30-212, Every person engaging in this town in any business, trade, profession, occupation or calling (collectively in this section "a business") shall apply for a business license, unless exempted by law. A Town of Herndon business license must be obtained within 30 days from the day the business begins operating in the town. First time applicants, please follow the instructions below.
* Massage Therapy establishments have an additional special requirement. Please see Additional forms and information below prior to filling out a business license application or renewal*
*If you are a contractor based outside of the Town limits, see below for out-of-town contractor instructions.
Prepare the following information for your first-time application:
- Federal Tax ID number (FEIN) or Social Security number.
- Business name
- Owner name
- NAICS code
- Description of business
- Business address
- Summary of business activities
- Estimated first year gross receipts
- Begin date
- Authorized signature/title
- Contact Information
How to obtain a Business License (BPOL):
1. Select and complete one of the Zoning permit applications below:
If business will be located at a commercial location, click here.
If business will be a "home-based business", click here.
Note: Follow the instructions indicated in the application to obtain your Zoning permit, as appropriate zoning approval must be obtained first. You may submit your application electronically, please send to community.development@herndon-va.gov. If you have questions related to zoning, please contact the Department of Community Development at 703-787-7380.
2. Estimate your gross receipts for the current year as you will need this information to calculate your Business License Taxes (Section 1 on BPOL Application). See here for TAX RATES
3. Submit completed BPOL Application with payment of license fee and required documentation to the Town of Herndon: (Click here for Application form)
- In person or by mail: 777 Lynn Street. Herndon, VA 20170-4602.
- Email: revenue@herndon-va.gov. Once application has been received and processed, you will received an email with bill number, amount due and link to make the payment.
If filing as individual or sole proprietor, complete the Residency Status Affidavit to establish proof of residency status.
4. Once the license fee/taxes are paid, you will receive your business license certificate by mail.
How to obtain an Out-Of-Town Contractor Business License (Example: HVAC Contractor, based in Sterling, doing work within Town of Herndon limits)
For business classified as "Out of Town Contractor", the following forms and documents must be submitted:
- Out of Town Contractor BPOL application.
- Certificate of Worker's Comp Form (Form 61-A).
- Copy of State Contractor's License.
Why is a Town of Herndon contractor license required? Please refer to VA State Code § 58.1-3715
When and how to renew your Business License after the first year
Business owners must renew their BPOL license each year. Most of the Town’s license taxes are based on total gross receipts from the preceding business year. Both filling and payment are due by March 1st. A 10% penalty for late filing will be assessed for renewals submitted after March 1st. Businesses registered with the Town in the previous year, will receive a renewal application in the mail in January.
Coin-Operated Machines Renewal Form - IF APPLICABLE. PLEASE COMPLETE IN ADDITION TO MAIN RENEWAL FORM
Submit completed BPOL Renewal Application with payment of license fee and required documentation* to the Town of Herndon.
- In person or by mail: 777 Lynn Street. Herndon, VA 20170-4602
- Email: revenue@herndon-va.gov (once application has been received and processed, we will reply with (bill #, amount due and payment link).
*Please enclose a copy of the portion of your 2022 U.S. Federal Income tax filing which identifies your reported gross receipts. For example, your form 1120 or 1120-S for corporations, form 1065 for partnerships, and form 1040 schedule C for sole proprietors. If your tax records are not available by March 1st, please submit a copy of your 2022 Profit & Loss (P&L) or Income Statement.
Note: If business has relocated within the last year, please complete Zoning Appropriateness Permit (commercial business) or Zoning Inspection Permit (home-based business), whichever applies for your business.
Additional Forms and information:
- Massage Therapists/Establishments: Every massage therapy establishment located within the Town of Herndon must have a current Fairfax County Massage Establishment permit prior to obtaining a Business License (BPOL) from the town. This permit must be renewed yearly with Fairfax County and presented to the town. Please contact the Fairfax County Department of Tax Administration for more information.