FAIRFAX, Va. — Buying something off the dollar menu in Fairfax County could soon mean sending an extra four cents to the county coffers.
The Board of Supervisors advanced plans Tuesday to put a “meals tax” on the ballot in November.
If voters approve the tax on prepared meals at restaurants, deli counters, convenience stores and grocery stores in November, the board could set the tax as high as 4 percent, with the tax first kicking in later next year.
The proposal, expected to be introduced for a vote June 7, would divide any revenue 70/30 between the school system and the county budget.
Several other Northern Virginia jurisdictions already charge a meals tax, which is in addition to the sales tax.
Diners in Fairfax already pay a 4.5 percent Virginia state tax and a 1 percent county tax. There is also a 0.7 percent state transportation tax on meals in Northern Virginia.
Alexandria, Fairfax City and Falls Church each have 4 percent meals taxes. Vienna’s meals tax is 3 percent; Herndon’s is 2.5 percent.
