Meals Tax Collection Change At Special Events Mulled In Vienna

VIENNA, VA — There may be an appetite for changing meals tax collections at special events in Vienna.

Vienna's meals tax on food service applies to special events with food trucks like Viva Vienna and Oktoberfest. However, the town says it is difficult to enforce collection of meals tax receipts for food trucks that don't have a physical location in the Town of Vienna. That results in frustration for event organizers and town staff.

As an alternative, town staff are proposing a code amendment to charge a flat fee up front for food trucks at special events.

"This has been discussed with the Parks and Recreation department and the outside organizers, and all agree this method would be a welcome change," reads the Town Council agenda item.

On Monday, Aug. 26, Town Council will consider setting a public hearing for Nov. 18.

Meanwhile, Fairfax County is considering a meals tax, which voters last rejected in a ballot referendum in 2016. The proposal was resurfaced in May by Supervisor Dalia Palchik (D-Providence) as a way to diversify the county's tax base. Supervisors voted to request county staff present meals tax options and other options to diversify revenue at a Sept. 17 board budget committee meeting.