Stafford residents and businesses are already paying more taxes than our neighbors.
Property taxes have risen 56% in five years and our real-estate tax rate is now 11–23% higher than our neighbors (FXBG, PWC, Spotsy & Fauquier).
Stafford has the highest hotel tax in Virginia among counties. The 6% meals tax is among the highest in the state. New commercial impact fees (unique to Stafford) are adding tens of thousands of dollars to projects, and a 1% sales tax increase is scheduled take effect next year.
Now the Board of Supervisors is considering a new BPOL tax — a tax on gross revenue that hits every business, even those that lose money.
This tax will mean higher prices for families, increased costs for local businesses, and slower retail and restaurant growth. Stafford already has a weak commercial tax base — this tax will discourage investment and further slow growth in those sectors.
We can do better. Instead of adding another tax, Stafford should focus on better management of existing revenue, responsible spending, growing the tax base through economic development, and supporting the local employers who already invest in our community.
We urge the Stafford County Board of Supervisors to reject the proposed BPOL tax and pursue solutions that protect families and businesses without new tax burdens.
For more info visit https://www.nobpolstafford.org/
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
August 18, 2026
Reached 500 supporters
August 16, 2026
Reached 250 supporters
August 13, 2026
Reached 100 supporters
August 13, 2026
651 Comments
This unwise measure adds further pressure on local small businesses and favors mega corporations. There are other ways to generate revenue outside of continuing to squeeze local businesses.
This tax on businesses (1) increases prices to consumers, (2) taxes the business even when it does not make a profit, (3) will force businesses (especially small businesses) to close, (4) combined with all of Stafford's other taxes, it will encourage taxpayers to move to places with lower taxes.
How about RESPONSIBLE SPENDING?? Taxpaying business should not be burdened with an extra tax because county officials are not budgeting our tax dollars appropriately and are engaging in irresponsible spending.
As a former business owner, I understand firsthand how hard small-business owners work just to keep their businesses successful. That’s one reason I’m particularly concerned about imposing an additional tax based on gross receipts rather than actual profit. A business can have substantial revenue on paper while operating on a very small profit margin. I believe Stafford County residents and businesses are already carrying a substantial tax burden, and adding another tax on local businesses
I am a small business owner and have lived in the county for over 35+ years. Costs have been increasing constantly. With all the talk about the income from new data centers in our county, l find it ironic that there is still not enough revenue to run things, and now in addition to business property taxes, we have to pay taxes on our gross income, even if we sustain a loss for the year. It truly defies common sense and makes the county anything but business friendly...
A BPOL tax is another tax on consumers. Businesses will add tax cost to products sold.
No more taxes on residents!!!!
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Stafford residents and businesses are already paying more taxes than our neighbors.
Property taxes have risen 56% in five years and our real-estate tax rate is now 11–23% higher than our neighbors (FXBG, PWC, Spotsy & Fauquier).
Stafford has the highest hotel tax in Virginia among counties. The 6% meals tax is among the highest in the state. New commercial impact fees (unique to Stafford) are adding tens of thousands of dollars to projects, and a 1% sales tax increase is scheduled take effect next year.
Now the Board of Supervisors is considering a new BPOL tax — a tax on gross revenue that hits every business, even those that lose money.
This tax will mean higher prices for families, increased costs for local businesses, and slower retail and restaurant growth. Stafford already has a weak commercial tax base — this tax will discourage investment and further slow growth in those sectors.
We can do better. Instead of adding another tax, Stafford should focus on better management of existing revenue, responsible spending, growing the tax base through economic development, and supporting the local employers who already invest in our community.
We urge the Stafford County Board of Supervisors to reject the proposed BPOL tax and pursue solutions that protect families and businesses without new tax burdens.
For more info visit https://www.nobpolstafford.org/
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
August 18, 2026
Reached 500 supporters
August 16, 2026
Reached 250 supporters
August 13, 2026
Reached 100 supporters
August 13, 2026
651 Comments
I have watched everything related to my home in Stafford just climb and climb. My Social Security does not keep up. It seems that BPOL Tax will continue the rise in cost to stay on my home. When is it enough?
This unwise measure adds further pressure on local small businesses and favors mega corporations. There are other ways to generate revenue outside of continuing to squeeze local businesses.
This tax on businesses (1) increases prices to consumers, (2) taxes the business even when it does not make a profit, (3) will force businesses (especially small businesses) to close, (4) combined with all of Stafford's other taxes, it will encourage taxpayers to move to places with lower taxes.
How about RESPONSIBLE SPENDING?? Taxpaying business should not be burdened with an extra tax because county officials are not budgeting our tax dollars appropriately and are engaging in irresponsible spending.
As a former business owner, I understand firsthand how hard small-business owners work just to keep their businesses successful. That’s one reason I’m particularly concerned about imposing an additional tax based on gross receipts rather than actual profit. A business can have substantial revenue on paper while operating on a very small profit margin. I believe Stafford County residents and businesses are already carrying a substantial tax burden, and adding another tax on local businesses
I am a small business owner and have lived in the county for over 35+ years. Costs have been increasing constantly. With all the talk about the income from new data centers in our county, l find it ironic that there is still not enough revenue to run things, and now in addition to business property taxes, we have to pay taxes on our gross income, even if we sustain a loss for the year. It truly defies common sense and makes the county anything but business friendly...
A BPOL tax is another tax on consumers. Businesses will add tax cost to products sold.
No more taxes on residents!!!!
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I have watched everything related to my home in Stafford just climb and climb. My Social Security does not keep up. It seems that BPOL Tax will continue the rise in cost to stay on my home. When is it enough?