How to File and Pay Fairfax County's Food and Beverage Tax

Welcome to this step-by-step guide explaining how Fairfax County businesses can file and pay the county food and beverage tax online. The tutorial walks users through registration, entering receipts, payment choices, fees, and how to obtain a confirmation for recordkeeping.

The instructions are intended for businesses required to collect and remit Fairfax County's food and beverage tax. The Presenter explains how to log in (or register if needed), complete the return for a selected month, apply any seller’s discount for on-time filing, and submit payment. This matters to restaurants and other foodservice businesses because it affects cash flow (payment timing, discounts) and payment costs (card-processing fees).

To begin, navigate to the food and beverage tax login and review the disclaimer. Click “I Accept” to proceed and indicate whether you have an existing Fairfax County business account. "If you have not registered for the food and beverage tax, the filing system will prompt you to complete a registration before you can file," the Presenter says. Enter your business account number and then your Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) or, if the business does not have a FEIN, a Social Security Number. Click Submit to continue.

Once logged in, the Account Dashboard displays account information and a list of current filing periods and return statuses. Choose the month you need to file and click "File Now." Enter the food and beverage receipts for that month and indicate whether receipts include non-taxable amounts. The Presenter notes that the "Total Taxable Receipts" and "Taxes Due" fields will auto-calculate.

If eligible, a seller's discount for filing and paying on time is applied automatically. The tutorial warns that late filings may carry a late penalty and interest. Review the Details section, check the box certifying the information is accurate, and enter the submitter’s contact information (name, email, phone and title) before submitting the filing. "You will receive a confirmation message along with a filing number for your records," the Presenter says; the tutorial directs users to print a PDF copy for their files.

To pay, click "Pay Online" and select either Bank Account (electronic funds transfer) or Credit Card. The Presenter states, "Please note, credit and debit card payments are processed by a third party company, which charges a non refundable 2.35% service fee." The tutorial also notes that no payment processing fee is charged for payments made directly from a bank account via electronic funds transfer. In the Payments section, users can indicate whether the payment is funded by a foreign source. Complete the Customer Information (name, company, address, phone, email confirmation) and Payment Information (name on account, whether it is a business account, routing and account numbers entered twice, and whether the account is checking or savings).

Before submitting payment, review the transaction details and use the blue Edit buttons to change any information. Review terms and conditions, select the authorization box, and then click "Submit Payment." Once the payment is processed, a receipt will display with the confirmation number, payment date, and total amount paid.

For more information or help, the Presenter directs users to the Fairfax County Tax Administration website or to contact the office using the listed contact information. The tutorial closes by thanking viewers for watching.