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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>81204</law_id><section_number>58.1-653</section_number><catch_line>Communications services providers&amp;#8217; certificates of registration; penalty</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>58.1-651</reference><reference>58.1-656</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="6.2">Virginia Communications Sales and Use Tax</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> Every person desiring to engage in or conduct business as a <span class="dictionary">communications services provider</span> in the Commonwealth shall file with the <span class="dictionary">Tax Commissioner</span> an application for a certificate of registration. <a id="paragraph-291060" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/58.1-653/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> Every application for a certificate of registration shall set forth the name under which the applicant transacts or intends to transact business, the location of his place of business, and such other information as the <span class="dictionary">Tax Commissioner</span> may reasonably require. <a id="paragraph-291061" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/58.1-653/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> When the required application has been made, the <span class="dictionary">Tax Commissioner</span> shall <span class="dictionary">issue</span> to each applicant a certificate of registration. A certificate of registration is not assignable and is valid only for the person in whose name it is issued and for the transaction of the business designated therein. <a id="paragraph-291062" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/58.1-653/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> Whenever a person fails to comply with any provision of this chapter or any rule or regulation relating thereto, the <span class="dictionary">Tax Commissioner</span>, upon a <span class="dictionary">hearing</span> after giving the noncompliant person 30 days&#x2019; notice in writing, specifying the time and place of the <span class="dictionary">hearing</span> and requiring him to show cause why his certificate of registration should not be revoked or suspended, may revoke or suspend the certificate of registration held by that person. The notice may be personally served or served by registered mail directed to the last known address of the noncompliant person. <a id="paragraph-291063" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/58.1-653/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E"><p><span class="prefix-number">E.</span> Any person who engages in business as a <span class="dictionary">communications services provider</span> in the Commonwealth without obtaining a certificate of registration, or after a certificate of registration has been suspended or revoked, shall be guilty of a Class 2 <span class="dictionary">misdemeanor</span> as shall each officer of a corporation that so engages in business as an unregistered <span class="dictionary">communications services provider</span>. Each day&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">continuance</span> in business in violation of this section shall constitute a separate <span class="dictionary">offense</span>. <a id="paragraph-291064" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/58.1-653/#E"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="F"><p><span class="prefix-number">F.</span> If the holder of a certificate of registration ceases to conduct his business, the certificate shall expire upon cessation of business, and the certificate holder shall inform the <span class="dictionary">Tax Commissioner</span> in writing within 30 days after he has ceased to conduct business. If the holder of a certificate of registration desires to change his place of business, he shall so inform the <span class="dictionary">Tax Commissioner</span> in writing and his certificate shall be revised accordingly. <a id="paragraph-291065" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/58.1-653/#F"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="G"><p><span class="prefix-number">G.</span> This section shall also apply to any person who engages in the business of furnishing any of the things or services taxable under this chapter. Moreover, it shall apply to any person who is liable only for the collection of the use tax. <a id="paragraph-291066" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/58.1-653/#G"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>2006, c. 780.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
