Tax Bill Aimed at Self-Storage and Other Services Defeated in Virginia

A bill that would have imposed new taxes on self-storage and several other services was recently defeated in Virginia after it failed to pass the House of Delegates by the deadline. Virginia House Bill 889 (HB 889) sought to add a 4.3% sales and use tax on self-storage as well as fitness and sports facilities, dry cleaning and laundry services, and more. It also proposed the same tax for digital personal property delivered electronically to purchasers. The revenue would’ve been funneled into the state’s schools to support a variety of programs.

The national Self Storage Association (SSA) and Virginia Self Storage Association worked collaboratively to block the bill’s passage. Similar tax bills are still under consideration in Nebraska, according to the SSA.

The Florida legislature last year dropped its sales-tax collection from 5.5% to 4.5% for commercial real estate lease payments, including monthly self-storage rent. The move was part of a $1.3 billion tax-relief package signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Source: SSA Magazine Weekly 2/19/24