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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>76556</law_id><section_number>58.1-612</section_number><catch_line>Tax collectible from dealers; &amp;#8220;dealer&amp;#8221; defined; jurisdiction</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>2.2-4321.1</reference><reference>58.1-602</reference><reference>58.1-611.1</reference><reference>58.1-612.1</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="58.1">Taxation</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="I">Taxes Administered by the Department of Taxation</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="6">Retail Sales and Use Tax</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> The tax levied by &#xA7;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="(Contingent effective date) Imposition of sales tax" href="/58.1-603/">58.1-603</a> and <a class="law" title="(Contingent effective date) Imposition of use tax" href="/58.1-604/">58.1-604</a> shall be collectible from all <span class="dictionary">persons</span> that are <span class="dictionary">dealers</span>, as defined in this section, and that have sufficient contact with the Commonwealth to qualify under (i) subsections B and C or (ii) subsections B and D. <a id="paragraph-274814" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/58.1-612/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> As used in this chapter, &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">dealer</span>&#x201D; includes every <span class="dictionary">person</span> that: <a id="paragraph-274815" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/58.1-612/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Manufactures or produces <span class="dictionary">tangible personal property</span> for <span class="dictionary">sale at retail</span>, for <span class="dictionary">use</span>, consumption, or <span class="dictionary">distribution</span>, or for <span class="dictionary">storage</span> to be used or consumed <span class="dictionary">in this Commonwealth</span>; <a id="paragraph-274816" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/58.1-612/#B1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Imports or causes to be imported into this Commonwealth <span class="dictionary">tangible personal property</span> from any state or foreign country, for <span class="dictionary">sale at retail</span>, for <span class="dictionary">use</span>, consumption, or <span class="dictionary">distribution</span>, or for <span class="dictionary">storage</span> to be used or consumed <span class="dictionary">in this Commonwealth</span>; <a id="paragraph-274817" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/58.1-612/#B2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Sells at retail, or that offers for <span class="dictionary">sale at retail</span>, or that has in its <span class="dictionary">possession</span> for <span class="dictionary">sale at retail</span>, or for <span class="dictionary">use</span>, consumption, or <span class="dictionary">distribution</span>, or for <span class="dictionary">storage</span> to be used or consumed <span class="dictionary">in this Commonwealth</span>, <span class="dictionary">tangible personal property</span>; <a id="paragraph-274818" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/58.1-612/#B3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> Has sold at retail, used, consumed, distributed, or stored for <span class="dictionary">use</span> or consumption <span class="dictionary">in this Commonwealth</span>, <span class="dictionary">tangible personal property</span> and that cannot prove that the tax levied by this chapter has been paid on the <span class="dictionary">sale at retail</span>, the <span class="dictionary">use</span>, consumption, <span class="dictionary">distribution</span>, or <span class="dictionary">storage</span> of such <span class="dictionary">tangible personal property</span>; <a id="paragraph-274819" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/58.1-612/#B4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B5" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> Leases or rents <span class="dictionary">tangible personal property</span> for a consideration, permitting the <span class="dictionary">use</span> or <span class="dictionary">possession</span> of such property without transferring title thereto; <a id="paragraph-274820" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/58.1-612/#B5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B6" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> Is the lessee or rentee of <span class="dictionary">tangible personal property</span> and that pays to the owner of such property a consideration for the <span class="dictionary">use</span> or <span class="dictionary">possession</span> of such property without acquiring title thereto; <a id="paragraph-274821" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/58.1-612/#B6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B7" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">7.</span> As a representative, agent, or solicitor, of an out-of-state principal, solicits, receives and accepts <span class="dictionary">orders</span> from <span class="dictionary">persons</span> <span class="dictionary">in this Commonwealth</span> for future delivery and whose principal refuses to register as a <span class="dictionary">dealer</span> under &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Dealers' certificates of registration" href="/58.1-613/">58.1-613</a>; or <a id="paragraph-274822" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/58.1-612/#B7"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B8" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">8.</span> Becomes liable to and owes this Commonwealth any amount of tax imposed by this chapter, whether it holds, or is required to hold, a certificate of registration under &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Dealers' certificates of registration" href="/58.1-613/">58.1-613</a>. <a id="paragraph-274823" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/58.1-612/#B8"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> A <span class="dictionary">dealer</span> shall be deemed to have sufficient activity within the Commonwealth to require registration under &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Dealers' certificates of registration" href="/58.1-613/">58.1-613</a> if it: <a id="paragraph-274824" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/58.1-612/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Maintains or has within this Commonwealth, directly or through an agent or subsidiary, an office, warehouse, or place of <span class="dictionary">business</span> of any nature; <a id="paragraph-274825" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/58.1-612/#C1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Solicits <span class="dictionary">business</span> <span class="dictionary">in this Commonwealth</span> by employees, independent contractors, agents or other representatives; <a id="paragraph-274826" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/58.1-612/#C2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Advertises in newspapers or other periodicals printed and published within this Commonwealth, on billboards or posters located <span class="dictionary">in this Commonwealth</span>, or through <span class="dictionary">materials</span> distributed <span class="dictionary">in this Commonwealth</span> by means other than the United States mail; <a id="paragraph-274827" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/58.1-612/#C3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> Makes regular deliveries of <span class="dictionary">tangible personal property</span> within this Commonwealth by means other than common carrier. A <span class="dictionary">person</span> shall be deemed to be making regular deliveries hereunder if vehicles other than those operated by a common carrier enter this Commonwealth more than 12 times during a calendar year to deliver goods sold by him; <a id="paragraph-274828" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/58.1-612/#C4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C5" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> Solicits <span class="dictionary">business</span> <span class="dictionary">in this Commonwealth</span> on a continuous, regular, seasonal, or systematic basis by means of <span class="dictionary">advertising</span> that is broadcast or relayed from a transmitter within this Commonwealth or distributed from a location within this Commonwealth; <a id="paragraph-274829" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/58.1-612/#C5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C6" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> Solicits <span class="dictionary">business</span> <span class="dictionary">in this Commonwealth</span> by mail, if the solicitations are continuous, regular, seasonal, or systematic and if the <span class="dictionary">dealer</span> benefits from any banking, financing, debt collection, or marketing activities occurring <span class="dictionary">in this Commonwealth</span> or benefits from the location <span class="dictionary">in this Commonwealth</span> of authorized installation, servicing, or repair facilities; <a id="paragraph-274830" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/58.1-612/#C6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C7" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">7.</span> Is owned or controlled by the same interests which own or control a <span class="dictionary">business</span> located within this Commonwealth; <a id="paragraph-274831" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/58.1-612/#C7"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C8" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">8.</span> Has a franchisee or licensee operating under the same trade name <span class="dictionary">in this Commonwealth</span> if the franchisee or licensee is required to obtain a certificate of registration under &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Dealers' certificates of registration" href="/58.1-613/">58.1-613</a>; <a id="paragraph-274832" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/58.1-612/#C8"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C9" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">9.</span> Owns <span class="dictionary">tangible personal property</span> that is for sale located <span class="dictionary">in this Commonwealth</span>, or that is rented or leased to a consumer <span class="dictionary">in this Commonwealth</span>, or offers <span class="dictionary">tangible personal property</span>, on approval, to consumers <span class="dictionary">in this Commonwealth</span>; <a id="paragraph-274833" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/58.1-612/#C9"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C10" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">10.</span> Receives more than $100,000 in gross revenue, or other minimum amount as may be required by federal <span class="dictionary">law</span>, from <span class="dictionary">retail sales</span> <span class="dictionary">in the Commonwealth</span> in the previous or current calendar year, provided that in determining the amount of a <span class="dictionary">dealer</span>&#x2019;s gross revenues, the sales made by all <span class="dictionary">commonly controlled persons</span> as defined in subsection D shall be aggregated; or <a id="paragraph-274834" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/58.1-612/#C10"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C11" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">11.</span> Engages in 200 or more separate <span class="dictionary">retail sales</span> transactions, or other minimum amount as may be required by federal <span class="dictionary">law</span>, <span class="dictionary">in the Commonwealth</span> in the previous or current calendar year, provided that in determining the total number of a <span class="dictionary">dealer</span>&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">retail sales</span> transactions, the sales made by all <span class="dictionary">commonly controlled persons</span> as defined in subsection D shall be aggregated. <a id="paragraph-274835" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/58.1-612/#C11"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> A <span class="dictionary">dealer</span> is presumed to have sufficient activity within the Commonwealth to require registration under &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Dealers' certificates of registration" href="/58.1-613/">58.1-613</a> (unless the <span class="dictionary">presumption</span> is rebutted as provided herein) if any <span class="dictionary">commonly controlled person</span> maintains a <span class="dictionary">distribution</span> center, warehouse, fulfillment center, office, or similar location within the Commonwealth that facilitates the delivery of <span class="dictionary">tangible personal property</span> sold by the <span class="dictionary">dealer</span> to its customers. The <span class="dictionary">presumption</span> in this subsection may be rebutted by demonstrating that the activities conducted by the <span class="dictionary">commonly controlled person</span> <span class="dictionary">in the Commonwealth</span> are not significantly associated with the <span class="dictionary">dealer</span>&#x2019;s ability to establish or maintain a market <span class="dictionary">in the Commonwealth</span> for the <span class="dictionary">dealer</span>&#x2019;s sales. For purposes of this subsection, a &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">commonly controlled person</span>&#x201D; means any person that is a member of the same &#x201C;controlled group of corporations,&#x201D; as defined in &#xA7; 1563(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended or renumbered, as the <span class="dictionary">dealer</span> or any other entity that, notwithstanding its form of organization, bears the same ownership relationship to the <span class="dictionary">dealer</span> as a corporation that is a member of the same &#x201C;controlled group of corporations,&#x201D; as defined in &#xA7; 1563(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended or renumbered. <a id="paragraph-274836" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/58.1-612/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E"><p><span class="prefix-number">E.</span> Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the following shall not be considered to determine whether a person that has contracted with a commercial printer for printing <span class="dictionary">in the Commonwealth</span> is a &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">dealer</span>&#x201D; and whether such person has sufficient contact with the Commonwealth to be required to register under &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Dealers' certificates of registration" href="/58.1-613/">58.1-613</a>: <a id="paragraph-274837" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/58.1-612/#E"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> The ownership or leasing by that person of tangible or intangible property located at the Virginia premises of the commercial printer which is used solely in connection with the printing <span class="dictionary">contract</span> with the person; <a id="paragraph-274838" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/58.1-612/#E1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> The sale by that person of property of any kind printed at and shipped or distributed from the Virginia premises of the commercial printer; <a id="paragraph-274839" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/58.1-612/#E2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Activities in connection with the printing <span class="dictionary">contract</span> with the person performed by or on behalf of that person at the Virginia premises of the commercial printer; and <a id="paragraph-274840" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/58.1-612/#E3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> Activities in connection with the printing <span class="dictionary">contract</span> with the person performed by the commercial printer within Virginia for or on behalf of that person. <a id="paragraph-274841" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/58.1-612/#E4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="F"><p><span class="prefix-number">F.</span> In addition to the jurisdictional standards contained in subsections C and D, nothing contained in this chapter other than in subsection E shall limit any authority that this Commonwealth may enjoy under the provisions of federal <span class="dictionary">law</span> or an <span class="dictionary">opinion</span> of the United States Supreme <span class="dictionary">Court</span> to require the collection of sales and <span class="dictionary">use</span> taxes by any <span class="dictionary">dealer</span> that regularly or systematically solicits sales within this Commonwealth. Furthermore, nothing contained in subsection C shall require any broadcaster, printer, outdoor <span class="dictionary">advertising</span> firm, <span class="dictionary">advertising</span> distributor, or publisher which broadcasts, publishes, or displays or distributes paid commercial <span class="dictionary">advertising</span> <span class="dictionary">in this Commonwealth</span> which is intended to be disseminated primarily to consumers located <span class="dictionary">in this Commonwealth</span> to report or impose any liability to pay any tax imposed under this chapter solely because such broadcaster, printer, outdoor <span class="dictionary">advertising</span> firm, <span class="dictionary">advertising</span> distributor, or publisher accepted such <span class="dictionary">advertising</span> <span class="dictionary">contracts</span> from out-of-state advertisers or sellers. <a id="paragraph-274842" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/58.1-612/#F"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>Code 1950, &#xA7; 58-441.12; 1966, c. 151; 1979, c. 573; 1984, c. 675; 1991, cc. 544, 565; 1995, c. 27; 2012, c. 590; 2013, c. 766; 2017, cc. 51, 808; 2019, cc. 815, 816, 854.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
