New tax increase for Williamsburg area (sales, real estate, hotel)

[Patrick1973]

We are considering a retirement move to Williamsburg. When will a decision be reached about the increased tax for the Williamsburg area? I've read it passed and is going to the Governor's desk.

[fabdog]

It's on the governors desk.

If he signs it, it does not take effect until the localities remove the current taxes they have in place on tourism

Williamsburg just enacted new taxes that were to take effect in July on admissions, restaurants, etc to fund un named tourism projects. They also have a $2/night hotel tax that funds the current tourism promotion board

James City and York Counties have the $2 lodging tax.

All of these must be repealed before the "new" tax (making the area have the highest sales tax in the state) will take effect.

The "carrot" for the localities is half the take from the new tax goes to as yet unspecified tourism projects. The other half, based on where it is collected, goes straight to the localities as new revenue.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out long term. The state senator who pushed it is on the Colonial Williamsburg board, and CW was very much against the new Williamsburg admissions tax

There is lots of negative feedback in the local paper, and the 2 local House representatives voted against it

But my guess is once by the Governor, the localities will be on board to get access to the new revenue stream (especially Williamsburg, which was considering having to raise it's real estate tax rate. It's much lower than the surrounding York and James City County rates)

Mike