How Virginia compares
Ranked against the other 49 states on the figures we hold. Rates that combine state and local components — sales tax, the minimum wage where it varies by region — are shown on this page but not ranked, because a single number would misstate them.
| Figure | VA | Nationally | In its region |
|---|---|---|---|
| PopulationUS Census Bureau, Vintage 2025 estimates, July 1, 2025 | 8,880,107 | 12th highest of 50 | 4 of 12 |
| GDP ($bn)Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2025 | 798.4 | 13th highest of 50 | 4 of 12 |
| Median household incomeUS Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year, 2024 | $92,090 | 12th highest of 50 | 1 of 12 |
| Unemployment rateBureau of Labor Statistics, LAUS (seasonally adjusted, preliminary), September 2026 | 3.6% | tied 20th lowest of 50 | 6 of 12 |
| Foreign-born shareUS Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year, 2024 | 13.5% | 14th highest of 50 | 2 of 12 |
| Property tax ratechecked Nov 2026; confirm with the Virginia legislature | 0.82% | tied 22nd lowest of 50 | 10 of 12 |
| Deposit return window (days)checked Nov 2026; confirm with the Virginia legislature | 45 | tied 44th lowest of 50 | 9 of 12 |
| Eviction notice (days)checked Nov 2026; confirm with the Virginia legislature | 14 | tied 6th highest of 50 | 1 of 12 |
| Final pay deadline (days)checked Nov 2026; confirm with the Virginia legislature | 0 | tied 1st lowest of the 29 states that set one | 1 of 5 |
- State income tax: yes41 of 50 states answer the same way
- At-will employment: yesthe same in all 50 states — it does not set Virginia apart
- Paid sick leave required: no30 of 50 states answer the same way
- Paid family leave: no38 of 50 states answer the same way
- Workers' comp required: yes49 of 50 states answer the same way
- Rent control permitted: no46 of 50 states answer the same way
- Annual report required: yes43 of 50 states answer the same way
Statistical figures: US Census Bureau, Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025) · US Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year (2024) · Bureau of Economic Analysis (2025) · Bureau of Labor Statistics, LAUS (seasonally adjusted, preliminary) (September 2026) · SBA Office of Advocacy, 2025 Small Business Profiles (2025). Tax, wage, business and tenancy figures are recorded from state sources and were last checked on 2026-11-05 — confirm anything you are about to act on with the Virginia legislature.
What's changing in Virginia
Enacted changes with a fixed effective date. Contracts, payroll and leases signed now may run past these dates.
Coming up
- January 1, 2027
- January 1, 2028
- December 1, 2028Paid family & medical leave benefits begin
Contributions start April 1, 2028; up to 12 weeks at up to 80% of wages.
Source ↗
Took effect in the last 12 months
Checked against official sources on 2026-11-05.
How long you have in Virginia
The periods that decide whether something is on time. Days are calendar days unless the underlying rule says otherwise.
- Return a security deposit within
- 45 days
- Eviction notice before filing
- 14 days
- Final paycheck within
- 0 days
- LLC formation processed in
- 1—2 business days (online)
- Annual report due
- Last day of the 12th month after formation, then annually
- Overtime starts after
- 40 hours/week (FLSA)
AI Legal Insights — Virginia
AI-generated · Updated July 2026
Virginia operates under an at-will employment doctrine, meaning employers and employees can generally terminate the relationship at any time for any lawful reason. The state does not mandate paid sick leave or paid family leave, requiring businesses to navigate specific statutory exceptions and local ordinances.
With a robust GDP of $666 billion and a low unemployment rate of 2.8%, Virginia offers a stable environment for commercial growth. The state supports entrepreneurship with approximately 795,000 small businesses and a relatively low LLC filing fee of $100.
Approximately 12.6% of Virginia's population is foreign-born, contributing to a diverse workforce across the Commonwealth. This demographic presence influences local labor markets and de facto business practices in various regions.
- ›Ensure all employment agreements clearly define at-will status to mitigate wrongful termination claims.
- ›Verify local sales tax variations, as the state average of 5.65% can fluctuate by jurisdiction.
- ›Include specific clauses regarding tiered income tax implications for multi-state contractors.
AI-generated insights · Verify with a licensed attorney before relying on this information.
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Employment Laws
Virginia labor regulations
Virginia is an at-will employment state with a minimum wage of $12.77/hr as of January 1, 2026. Under a 2026 law, it rises to $13.75/hr on January 1, 2027 (when the farm-worker exemption also ends) and to $15.00/hr on January 1, 2028, with inflation indexing from 2029. Virginia does not yet require paid sick leave for most workers, but a new paid family and medical leave program starts collecting contributions on April 1, 2028 and pays benefits from December 1, 2028. Since July 1, 2026, all employers must disclose pay ranges in job postings and may not ask about salary history.
| Law | VA Rule | Federal Floor |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Wage | $12.77/hr (since Jan 1, 2026); $13.75 on Jan 1, 2027; $15.00 on Jan 1, 2028; CPI-indexed from 2029 | $7.25/hr |
| Overtime | After 40 hrs/week at 1.5× rate (follows FLSA) | FLSA: after 40 hrs/week |
| Paid Sick Leave | No general mandate; home health workers who meet hours thresholds earn paid sick leave | None (federal) |
| Paid Family Leave | New state program: contributions from Apr 1, 2028; benefits from Dec 1, 2028 (up to 12 weeks at up to 80% of wages) | FMLA: 12 weeks unpaid |
| Workers Comp | Mandatory for employers with 3+ employees | Federal employees: yes |
| At-Will Employment | Yes, with statutory exceptions for discrimination, whistleblowing, and retaliation | Default nationwide |
| Final Paycheck | By the next regular payday | Next regular payday |
| Pay Transparency | All employers must include a pay range in job postings; salary-history questions banned (since July 1, 2026) | No federal requirement |
| Non-Compete Agreements | Banned for low-wage employees; since July 1, 2026, unenforceable against employees fired without cause unless severance is provided | No general federal ban |
- The Virginia Human Rights Act prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy, disability, age (40+), and other characteristics, and allows private lawsuits.
- Non-compete agreements cannot be enforced against "low-wage employees," defined by reference to the state's average weekly wage; since July 1, 2026 they also cannot be enforced against employees discharged without cause who receive no severance.
- Since July 1, 2026, employers must include a good-faith pay range in job postings and may not ask applicants about their pay history.
- The minimum wage rises to $13.75/hr on January 1, 2027 and $15.00/hr on January 1, 2028; the 2027 increase also ends the exemption for farm workers.
- Virginia's whistleblower law protects employees who report violations of law to a supervisor or government body, or refuse to take part in illegal acts.
- Employers may not discharge employees for serving on a jury.
Sources: U.S. Department of Labor state minimum wage table · state labor agencies (checked Nov 2026)
Landlord-Tenant Laws
Virginia rental regulations
Most residential rentals in Virginia are governed by the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (VRLTA). Security deposits are capped at 2 months' rent and must be returned within 45 days. Local rent control is prohibited. Since July 1, 2026, a landlord must give a 14-day pay-or-quit notice (up from 5 days) before filing an eviction for unpaid rent.
| Topic | VA Rule |
|---|---|
| Security Deposit | Capped at 2 months' rent |
| Deposit Return | Within 45 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant moves out, with an itemized statement of any deductions |
| Rent Control | No rent control — localities may not enact local rent control ordinances |
| Eviction Notice (Non-Payment) | 14-day pay-or-quit notice (since July 1, 2026; previously 5 days); landlord may then file an unlawful detainer in General District Court |
| Non-Renewal Notice | Landlord must give 60 days' written notice of non-renewal (2025 law) |
| Habitability | Landlord must keep the premises fit and habitable; tenants may use the rent escrow process after written notice if the landlord fails to make required repairs |
| Late Fee | Capped at 10% of the periodic rent or 10% of the remaining balance, whichever is less |
| Tenant Rights Statement | Landlord must give the tenant the state's Statement of Tenant Rights and Responsibilities with the lease |
| Retaliation Protection | Landlord may not raise rent, cut services, or bring an eviction in retaliation for good-faith complaints or tenant organizing |
Both landlords and tenants have enforceable rights under Virginia law. Document all communications and keep copies of your lease agreement. Use AI review to spot risky clauses before signing.
Starting a Business
Virginia LLC formation guide
Virginia has a 6% corporate income tax, no state franchise tax, and a 5.3% state sales tax (about 5.77% on average with local taxes), although most cities and counties levy a local business license (BPOL) tax on gross receipts. Northern Virginia is a major technology and federal contracting market. Forming an LLC costs $100, and the annual registration fee is $50. Virginia has about 880,000 small businesses, which employ 45.9% of the private workforce.
Step-by-step LLC formation
- 1Choose a business name — must include "LLC", "L.L.C.", or "Limited Liability Company"; check name availability with the State Corporation Commission (SCC)
- 2Designate a registered agent — must have a physical Virginia street address and be available during business hours
- 3File Articles of Organization with the Virginia State Corporation Commission online through the Clerk's Information System (cis.scc.virginia.gov)
- 4Pay the $100 LLC filing fee (online filings are typically processed in 1–2 business days)
- 5Get an EIN from the IRS — free at irs.gov; required for hiring employees and opening a business bank account
- 6Register with Virginia Tax (tax.virginia.gov) for sales tax, employer withholding, and other business taxes as applicable
- 7Pay the $50 annual registration fee to the SCC by the last day of the 12th month after formation, then annually
- 8Check local business license (BPOL) requirements with your city or county — many localities tax gross receipts
- 9Open a business bank account with your EIN and filed Articles of Organization
Every LLC also needs a free EIN from the IRS (Form SS-4). Apply online at irs.gov — takes about 15 minutes and is required to open a business bank account.
Popular IRS Forms
Most-filed federal forms for Virginia taxpayers
Fill these out online with plain-English guidance — every field explained, no accountant required. Download as a ready-to-file PDF when done.
The main annual federal income tax return every taxpayer files.
Fill out free →Give your SSN or EIN to a client before getting paid as a contractor.
Fill out free →Report $600+ paid to independent contractors during the year.
Fill out free →Tell your employer how much federal tax to withhold from pay.
Fill out free →Report income and expenses from a sole proprietorship or LLC.
Fill out free →Report payroll taxes withheld from employees each quarter.
Fill out free →Get an automatic 6-month extension to file your 1040.
Fill out free →The year-end wage statement employers issue to each employee.
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Federal Offices
United States government offices in Virginia
Walk-in assistance by appointment only. Call (844) 545-5640 to schedule, or book online at irs.gov.
Free Legal Aid
Virginia legal assistance organizations
These organizations provide free or reduced-cost civil legal services to qualifying Virginia residents.
Free civil legal services for low-income residents of eastern Virginia
Free civil legal help in the Richmond metro and surrounding counties
Free civil legal aid for low-income individuals in western Virginia
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