Richmond, Va. (Newsradiowrva.com) - Amid ongoing meals tax issues, the city of Richmond has announced that it is freezing penalties and interest for restaurants that owe money for meals taxes.
“Freezing the penalty and interest will help them and it will also give us some time to make sure we’re making everything right with the delinquent accounts,” Kristen Nye, the city council’s president, said Monday.
Restaurant owners have expressed frustration with the city over the bills they received recently. City Council recently passed an ordinance to change city code and fix how tax payments are applied.
“That impacts their ability to get a business license, to apply for certain tax credit programs, we want to make sure we get as many businesses in good standing from a tax account standpoint,” explained Lincoln Saunders, the Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Richmond.
In a news release Monday, the city said meals tax accounts that are “currently delinquent” will take priority. Accounts that have existing delinquencies as of this Friday will receive a notice by mail that their account is under review.
