Richmond, Va. (Newsradiowrva.com) - Local business owners on Thursday night attended a meeting hosted by Richmond City Councilwoman Ellen Robertson in the hope of getting answers from the city regarding a tax issue.
The meeting centered around the fact that some business owners were told they did not need to collect a 7.5% meals tax from their customers, then later told that they did have to collect the tax and were responsible for the lost revenue.
At the meeting, business owners stated they believe the city needs to take accountability for what they say felt like a major oversight. One owner said the city became aware last year that some businesses were not notified in 2019 that the city changed the processes to comply with the city code on how meal tax accounts payments were collected.
Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney has put Chief Administrative Officer Lincoln Saunders in charge of solving the meals tax problem. Proposed solutions include reducing late penalties and extending payment plans.
Councilwoman Robertson says she will hold another meeting to discuss the meals tax issue with the Chief Administrative Officer next Wednesday, January 31 at 5:30 p.m. at the Richmond Times Dispatch.
