Virginia has introduced a new policy allowing a one-time safe harbor for contractors who have omitted or inaccurately remitted retail sales and use taxes. Starting from July 1, 2024, the Department of Taxation can use a contractor’s erroneously collected retail sales tax payments to offset a use tax assessment related to the transaction.

How To Qualify

To qualify for this safe harbor, the contractor must demonstrate that the property for which sales tax was incorrectly collected and remitted is the same property used in realty and is subject to a use tax assessment.

Next Steps

After receiving this relief, the contractor must either pay sales tax to its vendors or remit the use tax directly to the Department for its purchases of tangible personal property used in its real property contracts. This relief is a one-time opportunity designed to help contractors in response to industry confusion. This new policy is aimed at providing a temporary reprieve for contractors who may have inadvertently erred in their tax remittances, offering them a chance to rectify the situation and ensure compliance with tax regulations moving forward.

For more information, reach out to Thompson Tax today. We are your Trusted Tax Advisors.