Newport News offers a business-friendly environment in a business-friendly state. The combined state and local tax burden on businesses compares favorably with other communities in the Southeast and nationwide. Virginia’s well-run state government is responsible for a stable tax environment in which the corporate income tax rate has not increased in the past thirty years.

The City’s moderate tax environment is supported by the fact that, in Virginia, there is only one local taxing entity. The City of Newport News is an independent city. Being an independent city, there is no overlapping county government structure. For businesses located in Newport News that means there is no dual local taxation, no dual bureaucracies and one single, efficient public service provider. Newport News has an elected school board which does not have independent taxing powers. Also, while Newport News cooperates regionally to deliver public services efficiently, using economies of scale where appropriate, there is no regional government.

The following tables show state and local taxes applicable to businesses operating in Newport News, state and local taxes applicable to individuals living in Newport News, development and building permit fees, state unemployment insurance tax and workers compensation rates and comparative tax data.