The Business Classification Information (BCI) Form is a one-form questionnaire from the Office of the Commissioner of the Revenue of the City of Newport News, Virginia. It describes a business: who owns it, where it operates, how it earns money and what equipment it holds. It is one of the forms from the office that also publishes Newport News property tax exemption and deferral forms, but it is a business form. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the original is published by the city at nnva.gov.
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What is BCI?
The Business Classification Information (BCI) Form is the City of Newport News form on which a business reports its identity, location, ownership, activities and equipment to the Office of the Commissioner of the Revenue, so the office can classify the business.
The form has 20 numbered lines. They cover the business or owner name and any trade name (lines 1 and 2), the business and mailing addresses (3 and 4), the website, phone number and ownership type (5 to 7), the federal I.D. number and the owner's Social Security number (8 and 9), the date the business began in Newport News (10) and estimated annual gross receipts (11; gross purchases for a wholesaler).
Lines 12 to 18 ask for a complete description of current and proposed activity, any state license or certification, activities such as selling cigarettes or prepared food, charging admission, boarding and lodging or renting equipment or property, how the business is paid, its types of customers, a contractor's job location and any other businesses at the same location.
Lines 19 and 20 ask for the total original cost of equipment, furniture and fixtures, and of machinery and tools. The form tells you not to include vehicles or real property in those two lines.
An authorized agent prints a name and title, signs and dates the form to certify that the information is true and correct to the best of their knowledge and belief.
Who needs to file BCI?
The form is for businesses operating in Newport News. The instruction at the top says to complete a separate form for each business location in Newport News, so a business with two locations completes two forms.
- Owners and companies of every ownership type. Line 7 offers sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, corporation and "other (specify)".
- Partnerships. Attach a list with the name and Social Security number of each partner.
- Contractors located outside Newport News. Line 17 asks for the job location.
- Businesses that share a site. Line 18 asks you to list any other businesses at the location.
The form is signed by an authorized agent, who prints their name and title. The form does not describe who else may sign for a business.
For help answering the form, especially lines 19 and 20, the form lists 757-926-8644.
When to file BCI
The form does not print a due date. Its trigger is a business location in Newport News: the form asks for the date the business began in Newport News (line 10) and says to complete a separate form for each location.
After you file, the form asks you to notify the office immediately if any of the information changes. This includes changes to the description of the business, because line 12 asks for both current activity and proposed future activity. For questions about timing, call the Commissioner of the Revenue's Business Taxes and Licensing department at 757-926-8644.
Documents you need
- For a partnership (line 7): a list with the name and Social Security number of each partner.
- If you or your company hold a state license or state certification (line 13): a list of the types and a copy of each.
- If space is not sufficient on any line: additional pages attached to the form.
How to fill out BCI
Enter business and owner names
Line 1: the business or owner name. Line 2: the trade name. Use the Tab key, not the Enter key, to move to the next field.
Enter addresses and contact details
Line 3: the business address, with APT and ZIP. Line 4: the mailing address, noting whether it is the same as the business address. Line 5 asks for the business email and website address; line 6 for the business phone number and extension.
Check your ownership type
Line 7: check one of sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, corporation or other, and specify if other. For a partnership, prepare the attached list of each partner's name and Social Security number.
Enter tax and start information
Line 8: federal I.D. number. Line 9: owner's Social Security number. Line 10: the date the business began in Newport News, in mm/dd/yyyy format.
Estimate annual gross receipts
Line 11: your estimated annual gross receipts in dollars. A wholesaler provides gross purchases instead.
Describe current and proposed activity
Line 12: give a complete description of work performed or services provided, under A. Current Activity and B. Proposed Future Activity. Attach additional pages if space is not sufficient.
Report licenses and special activities
Line 13: say whether you hold a state license or certification; if yes, list the types and provide a copy. Line 14: check all that apply: sell cigarettes, sell prepared food, charge admission fee or cover charge, charge for boarding and lodging, rent equipment or property.
Explain compensation and customers
Line 15: describe how the business is paid, such as products sold, services rendered or commissions. Line 16: list your types of customers or clients, such as private individuals, other businesses or walk-in customers.
Add job location and other businesses
Line 17: if you are a contractor with a business located outside Newport News, give the job location. Line 18: list any other businesses at this location.
Enter equipment and machinery costs
Line 19: total original cost of equipment, furniture and fixtures, etc. Line 20: total original cost of machinery and tools. Do not include vehicles or real property in either line.
Sign, review and download the PDF
The authorized agent prints a name and title, signs and dates the form. Check every line, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and send it as described under How to submit.
How to submit BCI
The form is addressed to the Commissioner of the Revenue, and it does not print a delivery method. It gives the office's address and a help number, so confirm how the office accepts it before you send it.
- Office address on the form: Commissioner of the Revenue, City Hall, 2400 Washington Avenue, Newport News, VA 23607.
- Other office: the city's Forms page also lists a Denbigh Office at 12912 Jefferson Ave., Newport News, VA 23608. Both offices are listed with hours of 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM.
- Phone: Business Taxes and Licensing, 757-926-8644. The main office phone is 757-926-8752.
Before you submit, make sure the form is signed and dated by the authorized agent. Attach any partner list or state license copy the form asks for. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using one form for several business locations; the form says to complete a separate form for each business location in Newport News.
- Checking Partnership on line 7 without attaching the list with the name and Social Security number of each partner.
- Answering Yes on line 13 without listing the license or certification types and providing a copy.
- Including vehicles or real property in line 19 or line 20; the form says not to.
- Entering only gross receipts on line 11 for a wholesaler; the form asks for gross purchases in that case.
- Describing the business vaguely on line 12; the form asks for a complete description of work performed or services provided, split into current and proposed future activity.
- Sending the form unsigned; the form reminds you to sign it, and the authorized agent must print a name and title.
- Not notifying the office when information changes; the form asks to be told immediately.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Business Classification Information (BCI) Form?
It is the City of Newport News form on which a business describes its owner, location, ownership type, activities, receipts and equipment for the Office of the Commissioner of the Revenue. It has 20 numbered lines and a signature block for an authorized agent.
Do I need a separate BCI form for each business location?
Yes. The form says to complete a separate form for each business location in Newport News. A business with two locations in the city completes two forms, each with that location's address and details.
Who signs the Newport News BCI form?
An authorized agent signs. The form asks for the agent's printed name, title, signature and date, certifying that the information is true and correct to the best of the signer's knowledge and belief.
What do I attach to the BCI form?
Attach a list with the name and Social Security number of each partner if you check Partnership on line 7. If you hold a state license or certification, list the types and provide a copy (line 13). Extra pages are allowed if space is not sufficient.
Is the BCI form a Newport News property tax form?
No. It is a business classification form, although lines 19 and 20 ask for the original cost of equipment, furniture, fixtures, machinery and tools, excluding vehicles and real property. The Commissioner of the Revenue's Forms page lists the exemption and deferral forms separately.
Who do I call for help with the BCI form?
Call 757-926-8644, the number printed on the form for assistance, which is also the Business Taxes and Licensing number on the Commissioner of the Revenue's Forms page. The form gives the same number for questions about lines 19 and 20.
Can I fill out the BCI form online on FillingPDF?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent of the City of Newport News and does not submit the form; you deliver it to the Commissioner of the Revenue's office yourself.
What if my business information changes after I submit the form?
Notify the Commissioner of the Revenue's office immediately. The form asks to be told of any changes in the information given. For help, call Business Taxes and Licensing at 757-926-8644.
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