Start a Business in Virginia

This guide on starting your business in Virginia provides step-by-step instructions on the paperwork to file formation documents, obtain tax IDs, and set up company records.

Step-By-Step Startup

Below is an overview of the paperwork, cost, and time to form each of the most popular business structures. Simply click on the link for your desired structure to view detailed step-by-step instructions.

• If you have not decided whether you want to form an LLC, corporation, or other business structure, click here.
• If wish to form your business in a different state than Virginia, click here.

Top 5 Tips on Registering a Business in Virginia

1. The corporate filing authority is called the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission. You'll often hear it called "SCC". Their online system is called "sccefile".
2. Virginia offers a consolidated state tax registration application for new businesses. Not all states do and this is a great convenience.
3. Every business entity authorized to transact business in Virginia is required by law to continuously maintain in the Commonwealth a registered office and a registered agent. We'll explain what this is and what it takes to serve as the registered agent for your own business.
4. There are two types of corporations in Virginia: stock and nonstock. Generally speaking, in Virginia business corporations form stock corporations and nonprofits form non-stock corporations. In other states, sometimes business corporations form nonstock corporations; however, in Virginia “no dividend or income of a nonstock corporation may be distributed to its directors, officers or individual members, except as reasonable compensation for services rendered or upon the dissolution or liquidation of the corporation” (§13.1-814 of the Code of Virginia). As a result of this limitation, most businesses who intend to produce profits organize as stock corporations.
5. Both corporations and LLCs are obligated to file an annual report with the SCC.