Virginia Business Blog Roll http://www.virginiabusiness.com/index.php/news/index The blog to read in Virginia for business commentary, insight and analysis. en content@timesdispatch.com Copyright 2010 2010-03-10T00:25:58-05:00 Forming a nonprofit http://www.virginiabusiness.com/index.php/guides/article/forming-a-nonprofit/227/ 2008 Guide to Doing Business in Virginia Guides, Doing business in Virginia Forming a nonprofit

Forming a nonprofit organization can be perfect for people who want to be their own boss and devote their work to charitable causes. A nonprofit is established just like a for-profit enterprise, with the additional step of applying for tax-exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service.

In Virginia, nonprofits must:

- Be registered as either a non-stock corporation or a limited liability company (LLC).

- Register with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for the ability to raise funds.

- Obtain a local business license, and, if required, register with the Virginia Department of Taxation.

A nonprofit organization becomes tax-exempt (allowing individuals and businesses who donate to the organization to deduct their gifts on their federal tax returns) by filing an application to become classified as a 501(c)(3) organization.

Necessary forms include IRS Form 8718 and IRS Package 1023. For instructions on filling out these forms, read IRS publication 557, Tax-Exempt Status for Your Organization.
All IRS forms can be obtained by calling (800) TAX FORM or downloading them from http://www.irs.gov.

The Business Information Center of the VDBA can e-mail you a step-by-step explanation with live links to numerous resources and all required forms and instructions. Call (866) 248-8814 to request nonprofit instructions or e-mail your request to vbic@vbda.virginia.gov.



Business One-Stop to be unveiled in 2008

Starting a business in Virginia will become easier in early 2008 when the online “Business One-Stop” is introduced.  Entrepreneurs accessing the one-stop site will need to answer only a few simple questions to receive detailed information on the registrations, licenses and permits required.

Debut date of the new “Business One-Stop” will be announced on the Virginia Department of Business Assistance Web site, http://www.vdba.virginia.gov and the Virginia Business

Portal, http://www.business.virginia.gov.

 

]]> 2008-02-01T04:01:00-05:00 VCU students sound off on AG opinion http://www.virginiabusiness.com/index.php/blog/article/VCU-students-sound-off-on-AG-opinion/203548/ 2010-03-09T23:25:58-05:00 Virginia Tomorrow, 3-10-09 http://www.virginiabusiness.com/index.php/blog/article/Virginia-Tomorrow-3-10-09/203549/ Marshall Asks Cuccinelli If Proposed Fees Would Violate Constitution Bolling Enters Debate Against Fee Increases McDonnell Pledges Not to Discriminate, Backs Cuccinelli’s Legal Reasoning on Gays McDonnell 2007 Letter to CNU on Protections for Gays W&M’s Reveley Letter on Cuccinelli VCU Speakers Assail Cuccinelli Gay Community Awaits UVA Response McDonnell Wants VITA-NG Deal By End of Month Senate Passes McDonnell Education Bills Senate Delays Ethics [...] 2010-03-09T21:55:45-05:00 Virginia Senate passes McDonnell’s charter school bill http://www.virginiabusiness.com/index.php/blog/article/Virginia-Senate-passes-McDonnells-charter-school-bill/203547/ The Virginia Senate on Tuesday passed Gov. Robert F. McDonnell's proposal designed to expand the number of charter schools in the state. The Democratic-controlled Senate passed the bill 27 to 12. It had already won approval in the Republican-led House of Delegates. The bill is a weakened version of the Republican governor's initial proposal, but he declared victory. "I applaud the Republicans and Democrats who came together today to help Virginia schoolchildren, especially those who are at-risk and disadvantaged, gain more educational opportunities,'' McDonnell said in a statement. McDonnell declared charter schools a top priority in his first legislative session. He has praised President Obama for his support of charters, and hopes it will help the state receive millions of dollars through the federal Race to the Top grant program.l The state was not included in the first round, but will apply for the second round this summer. 2010-03-09T15:36:59-05:00 HITT Contracting to build GSA data center http://www.virginiabusiness.com/index.php/news/article/hitt-contracting-to-build-gsa-data-center/203535/ Falls Church-based HITT Contracting has been selected to design and build the Tier III Data Center in Lakewood, Colo., for the General Services Administration. News, latest news Falls Church-based HITT Contracting has been selected to design and build the Tier III Data Center in Lakewood, Colo., for the General Services Administration.

The 110,000-square-foot center will be built on an 11-acre site in the Denver Federal Center.

The contract team, which will be led by HITT, includes Alexandria-based Wisnewski Blair & Associates for architecture, Herndon-based KTA Group for electrical, mechanical and plumping engineering, Woods Peacock for structural engineering, Kimley-Horn and Associates for civil engineering, and Schmid & Associates for fire protection engineering.

The project’s design begins this month and construction should be completed in October 2011.

The project is being funded with federal stimulus money.

]]> 2010-03-09T15:59:12-05:00 Martin’s plans to update former Ukrop’s stores http://www.virginiabusiness.com/index.php/news/article/martins-plans-to-update-former-ukrops-stores/203534/ Stores will close for a week on a staggered schedule during remodeling. News, latest news The new owner of Ukrop’s supermarkets in Richmond and Williamsburg plans to remodel them this spring, a project that will require each of 25 stores to close for one week a staggered schedule.

Jim Scanlon, regional vice president for the Martin’s Food Markets chain, said the “multi-million-dollar” upgrades will utlize regional contractors and subcontractors, including architects, IT professionals, carpenters, plumbers and electricians.

Martin’s is part of the Giant-Carlisle division of Ahold, a Dutch supermarket giant that completed its $140 million purchase of the famly-owned Ukrop’s Super Markets Inc. earlier this year.

During renovations, the in-store pharmacies and banks will remain open.

Martin’s officials said the store upgrades will include increased refrigeration,
improved lighting and updated signage and décor. Cafes at 23 stores will get new tables and chairs and all be wired
for Wi-Fi capability. Currently eight cafes have Wi-Fi.

Martin’s also plans to add self-checkout stations to five stores.

]]> 2010-03-09T15:55:24-05:00 Cuccinelli asked if proposed fees would violate Virginia constitution http://www.virginiabusiness.com/index.php/blog/article/Cuccinelli-asked-if-proposed-fees-would-violate-Virginia-constitution/203546/ Del. Bob Marshall (R-Prince William)has written a letter to Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, asking him to weigh in on whether it would be unconstitutional for the General Asssembly to embed fee increases into the budget this year. The "one subject" rule has become a perennial point of contention in budgeting, as lawmakers argue over whether it is legitimate to assume revenues in the budget without separate legislation approving tax or fee increases. Marshall notes that the House and Senate conferees have had some discussions about agreeing to raise $76 million in fees from car registration fees, recordation fees and fees to reinstate driver's licenses, including those fees in the budget bill rather than separate legislation. "Since raising funds whether by taxes or fees is one purpose, and appropriating money is a separate and distinct purpose, would including a provision for raising $76 million in fees to be spent as part 2010-03-09T13:02:50-05:00 Featured Advertiser http://www.virginiabusiness.com/index.php/blog/article/Featured-Advertiser92/203541/ 2010-03-09T11:59:15-05:00 Virginia House votes against consideration of gay protections bill http://www.virginiabusiness.com/index.php/blog/article/Virginia-House-votes-against-consideration-of-gay-protections-bill/203540/ A Northern Virginia delegate unsuccessfully tried a parliamentary maneuver Tuesday to force a floor vote on a measure that would ban discrimination in public employment on the basis of sexual orientation. The House has repeatedly rejected such legislation and voted against floor consideration of the bill 55 to 42. Del. Ken Plum, a Democrat from Reston, moved to revive the gay-rights bill that had languished in a House subcommittee, saying the legislature must respond to Republican Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli's recent advice to the state's public colleges and universities that they had no legal ability to add sexual orientation to their nondiscrimination policies. Cuccinelli has recommended that such statements be rescinded. "It's particularly timely at this time because the eyes of the nation are upon us," Plum said. 2010-03-09T11:59:15-05:00 Bolling enters debate over taxes and fees in Virginia http://www.virginiabusiness.com/index.php/blog/article/Bolling-enters-debate-over-taxes-and-fees-in-Virginia/203536/ Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling (R) has weighed into the budget debate by encouraging the House and Senate conferees to reject certain tax and fee increases, including those that raise property and casualty insurance premium taxes, fees on phone lines, Internet sales taxes and taxes for retailers and manufacturers. "These are broad based taxes and fees and I believe that increasing them would violate our promise to balance the budget without general tax increases,'' Bolling wrote in a column to supporters Monday. Bolling presides over the Senate and is a close ally of Gov. Bob McDonnell (R), who has yet to express a specific opinion on the many fees that the Senate has included in its version of the budget. Just last week we asked McDonnell what he thought of adding 18 cents to a 75-cent fee on phone lines a "surcharge" which code of Virginia calls a tax. McDonnell's office 2010-03-09T08:22:16-05:00