23VAC10-500-290. Retail sales; banks.
A. Banks are generally exempt from local license tax, but § 58.1-1202 of the Code of Virginia specifically authorizes localities to subject banks to local license tax on the sale of blank checks, repossessed automobiles, and any other tangible personal property sold by banks in connection with promotions or otherwise. In connection with the sale of blank checks:
1. A bank is not engaged in retail sales if the customer places an order for the checks directly with the printer and authorizes the bank to collect for the printer by charging his account, and the bank is not obligated to pay for the checks except insofar as it honors the customer's authorization.
2. A bank is engaged in retail sales if the customer places his order with the bank, and the bank contracts with the printer and is liable to the printer, whether or not the bank actually collects from the customer.
B. Section 58.1-1202 of the Code of Virginia does not authorize the imposition of a BPOL tax on banks. It merely indicates that banks are not exempt as to the sale of tangible personal property. A BPOL tax can be imposed on such sales by a bank when authorized by § 58.1-3703 of the Code of Virginia. In other words, such sales must be a separate business. If they are ancillary to the banking business, and classified as financial services, they would be exempt from the BPOL tax.
Statutory Authority
§ 58.1-3701 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 23, eff. October 6, 2008.