Va. Code Ann. tit. 60.2, ch. 2

in effect

Va. Code Ann. § 60.2-200 Definitions generally

As used in this title, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the terms defined in this chapter shall have the meanings there ascribed to them. Code 1950, § 60-2; 1964, c. 3; 1968, c. 738, § 60.1-2; 1986, c. 480.

Va. Code Ann. § 60.2-201 Agricultural labor

A. The term "agricultural labor" includes all service performed: 1. On a farm, in the employ of any person, in connection with cultivating the soil, or in connection with raising or harvesting any agricultural or horticultural commodity, including the raising, shearing, feeding, caring for, training, and management of livestock, bees, poultry, and fur-bearing animals and wildlife. 2. In the employ of the owner or tenant or other operator of a farm, in connection with the operation, management, conservation, improvement, or maintenance of such farm and its tools and equipment, or in salvaging timber or clearing land of brush and other debris left by a hurricane, if the major part of such service is performed on a farm. 3. In connection with the production or harvesting of any commodity defined as an agricultural commodity in 12 U.S.C. § 1141 j of the Federal Agricultural Marketing Act, or in connection with the ginning of cotton, or in connection with the operation or maintenance of ditches, canals, reservoirs, or waterways not owned or operated for profit used exclusively for supplying and storing water for farming purposes. 4. a. In the employ of the operator of a farm in handling, planting, drying, packing, packaging, processing, freezing, grading, storing, or delivering to storage or to market or to a carrier for transportation to market, in its unmanufactured state, any such agricultural or horticultural commodity; but only if such operator produced more than one-half of the commodity with respect to which such service is performed; b. In the employ of a group of operators of farms (or a cooperative organization of which such operators are members) in the performance of service described in subdivision 4 a of this subsection, but only if such operators produced more than one-half of the commodity with respect to which such service is performed; c. The provisions of subdivisions 4 a and 4 b of this section shall not be deemed to be applicable with respect to service performed in connection with commercial canning or commercial freezing or in connection with any agricultural or horticultural commodity after its delivery to a terminal market for distribution for consumption. 5. On a farm operated for profit if such service is not in the course of the employer's trade or business or is domestic service in a private home of the employer. B. As used in this section, the term "farm" includes stock, dairy, poultry, fruit, fur-bearing animal and truck farms, plantations, ranches, nurseries, ranges, greenhouses or other similar structures used primarily for the raising of agricultural or horticultural commodities and orchards. Code 1950, § 60-3; 1968, c. 738, § 60.1-3; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 235; 1972, c. 764; 1986, c. 480.

Va. Code Ann. § 60.2-202 Annual payroll

"Annual payroll" means the total amount of wages payable by an employer, regardless of the time of payment, for employment during a calendar year. Code 1950, § 60-4; 1968, c. 738, § 60.1-4; 1986, c. 480.

Va. Code Ann. § 60.2-203 Average annual payroll

"Average annual payroll" means the average of the annual payrolls of any employer for the last three or five preceding calendar years, whichever is higher. Code 1950, § 60-5; 1968, c. 738, § 60.1-5; 1986, c. 480.

Va. Code Ann. § 60.2-204 Base period

"Base period" means the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters immediately preceding the first day of the claimant's benefit year; however, if the claimant has earned insufficient wages in the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters to become eligible for benefits, then such claimant's "base period" shall be the four most recent completed calendar quarters immediately preceding the first day of the claimant's benefit year. Code 1950, § 60-6.1; 1956, c. 440; 1968, c. 738, § 60.1-6; 1974, c. 466; 1986, c. 480; 2003, c. 383 .

Va. Code Ann. § 60.2-205 Benefits

"Benefits" means the money payments payable to an individual, as provided in this title, with respect to his unemployment. Code 1950, § 60-7; 1968, c. 738, § 60.1-7; 1986, c. 480.

Va. Code Ann. § 60.2-206 Benefit year

"Benefit year" with respect to any individual means a period of fifty-two consecutive weeks beginning with the first day of the week in which an individual files a new valid claim for benefits except that the benefit year shall be fifty-three weeks if filing of a new valid claim would result in overlapping any quarter of the base period of a previously filed new claim. An initial claim for benefits filed in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Commission under the provisions of this title shall be deemed to be a valid claim within the purposes of this definition if the individual has been paid wages in his base period sufficient to make him eligible for benefits under the provisions of Chapter 6 (§ 60.2-600 et seq.) of this title. Code 1950, § 60-8.1; 1956, c. 440; 1964, c. 3; 1968, c. 738, § 60.1-8; 1974, c. 466; 1986, c. 480.

Va. Code Ann. § 60.2-207 Calendar quarter

"Calendar quarter" means the period of three consecutive calendar months ending on March 31, June 30, September 30 or December 31, or the equivalent thereof, as the Commission may by regulation prescribe. Code 1950, § 60-9; 1968, c. 738, § 60.1-9; 1986, c. 480.

Va. Code Ann. § 60.2-208 Commission

"Commission" means the Virginia Employment Commission. Wherever in this Code, or any act of the General Assembly the term "Unemployment Compensation Commission" is used, it shall mean the Virginia Employment Commission. Code 1950, § 60-10; 1960, c. 136; 1968, c. 738, § 60.1-10; 1986, c. 480.

Va. Code Ann. § 60.2-209 Taxes

"Taxes" means the money imposed by and collectible under this title and includes payments in lieu of taxes collectible under §§ 60.2-501 through 60.2-507 . Code 1950, § 60-11; 1968, c. 738, § 60.1-11; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 235; 1986, c. 480.

Va. Code Ann. § 60.2-210 Employer

A. The term "employer" means any employing unit which: 1. In any calendar quarter in either the current or preceding calendar year paid for some service in employment wages of $1,500 or more or such other amount as provided by federal law pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 3306; or 2. For some portion of a day in each of twenty different weeks, whether or not such weeks were consecutive, in either the current or the preceding calendar year, has or had in its employment at least one individual, irrespective of whether the same individual was in employment in each such day. B. The term "employer" shall also mean: 1. Any employing unit which acquired the organization, trade, separate establishment or business or substantially all the assets thereof, of another which at the time of such acquisition was an employer subject to this title; 2. Any employing unit which acquired the organization, trade or business or substantially all the assets thereof, of another employing unit and which, if treated as a single unit with such other employing unit, would be an employer under subsection A of this section; 3. Any employing unit which together with one or more other employing units, is owned or controlled, by legally enforceable means or otherwise, directly or indirectly by the same interests, or which owns or controls one or more other employing units, by legally enforceable means or otherwise, and which if treated as a single unit with such other employing unit, would be an employer under subsection A or B of this section; 4. Any employing unit which having become an employer under subsection A of this section or subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 6, 7 or 8 of this subsection has not, under § 60.2-509 , ceased to be an employer subject to this title; 5. For the effective period of its election pursuant to § 60.2-510 , any other employing unit which has elected to become fully subject to this title; 6. Any employing unit not an employer by reason of any other subdivision of this section (i) for which, within either the current or preceding calendar year, service is or was performed with respect to which such employing unit is liable for any federal tax against which credit may be taken for taxes required to be paid into a state unemployment fund; or (ii) which, as a condition for approval of this title for full tax credit against the tax imposed by the Federal Unemployment Tax Act, is required, pursuant to such act, to be an "employer" under this title; 7. Any employing unit for which service in employment, as defined in subdivisions 1 through 3 of subsection A of § 60.2-213 , is performed; 8. Any employing unit, for which service in employment, as defined in subdivision 4 of subsection A of § 60.2-213 , is performed; 9. For the purposes of subdivision 2 of subsection A of this section and subdivisions 8 and 10 of this subsection if any week includes both December 31 and January 1, the days of that week up to January 1 shall be deemed one calendar week and the days beginning January 1 another such week; 10. Any employing unit for which agricultural labor in employment as defined in § 60.2-214 is performed; or 11. Any employing unit for which domestic service in employment as defined in § 60.2-215 is performed. C. 1. In determining whether an employing unit for which service other than domestic service is also performed is an employer under subsection A or subdivision 10 of subsection B of this section, the wages earned or the employment of an employee performing domestic service shall not be taken into account. 2. In determining whether an employing unit for which service other than agricultural labor is also performed is an employer under subsection A or subdivision 11 of subsection B of this section, the wages earned or the employment of an employee performing service in agricultural labor shall not be taken into account. If an employing unit is determined an employer of agricultural labor, such employing unit shall be determined an employer for the purpose of subsection A of this section. D. No employing unit created pursuant to Chapter 23.3 (§ 54.1-2345 et seq.) of Title 54.1 where the services provided to such employing unit are limited in scope and provided by a resident of the common interest community, as described in subdivision A 4 of § 54.1-2347 , shall be determined to be an employer for the purpose of this section. Code 1950, § 60-12; 1956, c. 440; 1964, c. 3; 1968, c. 738, § 60.1-12; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 235; 1974, c. 466; 1977, c. 330; 1979, c. 637; 1986, c. 480; 2024, c. 839 .

Va. Code Ann. § 60.2-211 Employing unit

A. "Employing unit" means any of the following which has or had in its employ one or more individuals performing services for it within this Commonwealth: 1. Any individual or type of organization, including the state government and its instrumentalities; 2. Any of the political subdivisions of this Commonwealth and their instrumentalities; 3. Any instrumentalities wholly owned (i) by this Commonwealth and one or more political subdivisions, (ii) by a combination of political subdivisions or (iii) by any of the foregoing and one or more other states or their political subdivisions; 4. Any partnership, association, trust, estate, joint-stock company, insurance company or corporation, whether domestic or foreign, or the receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, trustee or successor thereof; or 5. The legal representative of a deceased person. B. All individuals performing services within this Commonwealth for any employing unit which maintains two or more separate establishments within this Commonwealth shall be deemed to be employed by a single employing unit for all the purposes of this title. Whenever any employing unit contracts with any person for any service which is a part of such employing unit's usual trade, occupation, profession or business, that employing unit shall be deemed to employ all individuals employed by such person for such service unless such person performs service or is in fact actually available to perform service for anyone who may wish to contract with him and is also found to be engaged in an independently established trade, occupation, profession or business. Each individual employed to perform or to assist in performing the work of any agent or employee of an employing unit shall be deemed to be employed by such employing unit for all the purposes of this title, whether such individual was hired or paid directly by such employing unit or by such agent or employee, provided the employing unit had actual or constructive knowledge of such work. Code 1950, § 60-13; 1968, c. 738, § 60.1-13; 1974, cc. 466, 660; 1977, c. 330; 1986, c. 480.

Va. Code Ann. § 60.2-212 Employment

A. "Employment" means: 1. Any service including service in interstate commerce, performed for remuneration or under any contract of hire, written or oral, express or implied; and 2. Any service, of whatever nature, performed by an individual for any employing unit, for remuneration or under any contract of hire, written or oral, and irrespective of citizenship or residence of either, a. Within the United States, or b. On or in connection with an American vessel or American aircraft under a contract of service which is entered into within the United States or during the performance of which and while the individual is employed on the vessel or aircraft it touches at a port in the United States, if such individual performs such services on or in connection with such vessel or aircraft when outside the United States, provided that the operating office, from which the operations of the vessel or aircraft are ordinarily and regularly supervised, managed, directed or controlled, is within the Commonwealth. B. Notwithstanding subdivision 2 b of subsection A of this section, "employment" means all service performed by an officer or member of the crew of an American vessel on or in connection with such vessel, if the operating office from which the operations of such vessel operating on navigable waters within, or within and without, the United States are ordinarily and regularly supervised, managed, directed and controlled is within the Commonwealth. C. Services performed by an individual for remuneration shall be deemed to be employment subject to this title unless the Commission determines that such individual is not an employee for purposes of the Federal Insurance Contributions Act and the Federal Unemployment Tax Act, based upon an application of the standard used by the Internal Revenue Service for such determinations. D. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection C, an individual who performs services as a real estate salesperson, under direction of a real estate broker under Chapter 21 (§ 54.1-2100 et seq.) of Title 54.1, or as a real estate appraiser under Chapter 20.1 (§ 54.1-2009 et seq.) of Title 54.1 pursuant to an executed independent contractor agreement and for remuneration solely by way of commission or fee, shall not be an employee for purposes of this chapter. E. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection C, a hiring party providing an individual with personal protective equipment in response to a disaster caused by a communicable disease of public health threat for which a state of emergency has been declared pursuant to § 44-146.17 shall not be considered in any determination regarding whether such individual is an employee or independent contractor. For the purposes of this subsection, the terms "communicable disease of public health threat," "disaster," and "state of emergency" have the same meaning as provided in § 44-146.16 . Code 1950, § 60-14; 1952, cc. 30, 184; 1956, c. 440; 1962, c. 71; 1968, c. 738, § 60.1-14; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 235; 1972, c. 824; 1974, cc. 466, 660; 1976, c. 304; 1977, c. 330; 1979, c. 637; 1980, cc. 520, 522; 1981, cc. 28, 369, 374, 375; 1982, c. 25; 1983, c. 14; 1984, cc. 120, 139, 204; 1985, cc. 152, 254; 1986, c. 480; 1996, c. 244 ; 2005, c. 892 ; 2020, c. 1261 ; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 448 .

Va. Code Ann. § 60.2-212.1 Employment; special exclusion

A. In the trucking industry, an owner-operator or lessee of a vehicle which is licensed and registered as a truck, tractor, or truck-tractor by a governmental motor vehicle regulatory agency is an independent contractor, not an employee, while performing services in the operation of his truck, if each of the following factors is substantially present: 1. The individual owns the equipment or holds it under a bona fide lease arrangement; 2. The individual is responsible for the maintenance of the equipment; 3. The individual bears the principal burdens of the operating costs, including fuel, repairs, supplies, vehicle insurance, and personal expenses while on the road; 4. The individual is responsible for supplying the necessary personal services to operate the equipment; 5. The individual's compensation is based on factors related to the work performed including a percentage of any schedule of rates or lawfully published tariff and not on the basis of the hours or time expended; 6. The individual generally determines the details and means of performing the services, in conformance with regulatory requirements, operating procedures of the carrier and specifications of the shipper; and 7. The individual enters into a contract that specifies the relationship to be that of an independent contractor and not that of an employee. B. No such owner-operator or lessee who qualifies under the criteria set forth in subsection A of this section shall be considered by the Commission to be an employee covered by this title for any services performed prior to or after January 1, 1987. Taxes paid or benefits collected prior to January 1, 1987, that would be affected by the provisions of this section, shall not be subject to refund. 1987, c. 539.

Va. Code Ann. § 60.2-212.2 Obtaining a determination or opinion

If an employing unit is unsure of the status of an individual performing services for it, the employing unit may obtain a written determination pursuant to § 60.2-500 . 1987, c. 539.

Va. Code Ann. § 60.2-213 Employment with hospital, higher education, state, subdivision, or certain religious or charitable organizations

A. "Employment" includes: 1. Service performed by an individual (i) in the employ of the Commonwealth or any of its political subdivisions or instrumentalities or (ii) in the employ of the Commonwealth and one or more other states or their political subdivisions or instrumentalities, for a hospital or institution of higher education located in this Commonwealth provided that such service is excluded from "employment" as defined in the Federal Unemployment Tax Act solely by reason of § 3306(c)(7) of that act and is not excluded from "employment" under subsection B; 2. Service performed by an individual (i) in the employ of the Commonwealth or any of its wholly owned instrumentalities or (ii) in the employ of the Commonwealth and one or more other states or their instrumentalities, provided that such service is excluded from "employment" as defined in the Federal Unemployment Tax Act (26 U.S.C.) by § 3306(c)(7) of that act and is not excluded from "employment" under subsection B; 3. Service performed by an individual (i) in the employ of any political subdivision of the Commonwealth or any of its wholly owned instrumentalities or (ii) in the employ of any instrumentality wholly owned by this Commonwealth, any of its political subdivisions or instrumentalities, or any instrumentality wholly owned by any of the foregoing and one or more other states or their political subdivisions, provided that such service is excluded from "employment" as defined in the Federal Unemployment Tax Act by § 3306(c)(7) of that act and is not excluded from "employment" under subsection B; 4. Service performed by an individual in the employ of a religious, charitable, educational or other organization but only if the following conditions are met: a. Their service is excluded from "employment" as defined in the Federal Unemployment Tax Act (26 U.S.C.) solely by reason of § 3306(c)(8) of that act; and b. The organization had four or more individuals in employment for some portion of a day in each of 20 different weeks, whether or not such weeks were consecutive, within either the current or preceding calendar year, regardless of whether they were employed at the same moment of time. B. For the purposes of subdivisions A 3 and 4, the term "employment" does not apply to service performed: 1. In the employ of (i) a church or convention or association of churches, or (ii) an organization which is operated primarily for religious purposes and which is operated, supervised, controlled, or principally supported by a church or convention or association of churches; 2. By a duly ordained, commissioned, or licensed minister of a church in the exercise of his ministry or by a member of a religious order in the exercise of duties required by such order; 3. In a facility conducted for the purpose of carrying out a program of rehabilitation for individuals whose earning capacity is impaired by age, physical deficiency, mental illness, intellectual disability, or injury or providing remunerative work for individuals who because of their impaired physical or mental capacity cannot be readily absorbed in the competitive labor market by an individual receiving such rehabilitation or remunerative work; 4. As part of an unemployment work-relief or work-training program assisted or financed in whole or in part by a federal agency or an agency of a state or political subdivision thereof, by an individual receiving such work relief or work training; 5. By an inmate of a custodial or penal institution; or 6. In the employ of the Commonwealth, or any political subdivision thereof or any instrumentality of any one or more of the foregoing as set forth in subdivisions A 1 through 3, if such service is performed by an individual in the exercise of duties: a. As an elected official; b. As a member of a legislative body, or a member of the judiciary; c. As a member of the state National Guard or Air National Guard; d. As an employee serving on a temporary basis in case of fire, storm, snow, earthquake, flood, or similar emergency; or e. In a position which, under or pursuant to the laws of the Commonwealth, is designated as (i) a major nontenured policymaking or advisory position or (ii) a policymaking or advisory position the performance of the duties of which ordinarily does not require more than eight hours per week. Code 1950, § 60-14; 1952, cc. 30, 184; 1956, c. 440; 1962, c. 71; 1968, c. 738, § 60.1-14; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 235; 1972, c. 824; 1974, cc. 466, 660; 1976, c. 304; 1977, c. 330; 1979, c. 637; 1980, cc. 520, 522; 1981, cc. 28, 369, 374, 375; 1982, c. 25; 1983, c. 14; 1984, cc. 120, 139, 204; 1985, cc. 152, 254; 1986, c. 480; 2012, cc. 476 , 507 .

Va. Code Ann. § 60.2-214 Agricultural employment

A. "Employment" includes service performed by an individual in agricultural labor as defined in § 60.2-201 when: 1. Such service is performed for a person who: a. During any calendar quarter in either the current or the preceding calendar year paid wages of $20,000 or more to individuals employed in agricultural labor, including labor performed by an alien referred to in subdivision 2 of this subsection, or b. For some portion of a day in each of twenty different calendar weeks, whether or not such weeks were consecutive, in either the current or the preceding calendar year, employed in agricultural labor, including labor performed by an alien referred to in subdivision 2 of this subsection, ten or more individuals, regardless of whether they were employed at the same moment of time. 2. Such service is not performed in agricultural labor by an individual who is an alien admitted to the United States to perform service in agricultural labor pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 214 (c) and 8 U.S.C. § 101 (a) (15) (H) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Services performed and wages received by such alien workers after January 1, 1980, shall be counted in determining whether an employer is subject to the Virginia unemployment tax for his other farmworkers. B. For the purposes of this section any individual who is a member of a crew furnished by a crew leader to perform service in agricultural labor for any other person shall be treated as an employee of such crew leader if: 1. Such crew leader holds a valid certificate of registration under the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Workers Protection Act of 1983 (29 U.S.C. § 1801 et seq.) or substantially all the members of such crew operate or maintain tractors, mechanized harvesting or crop dusting equipment, or any other mechanized equipment, which is provided by such crew leader, and 2. Such individual is not an employee of such other person within the meaning of subdivision 1 of subsection A of § 60.2-212 . C. For the purposes of this section, in the case of any individual who is furnished by a crew leader to perform service in agricultural labor for any other person and who is not treated as an employee of such crew leader under subsection B of this section then: 1. Such other person and not the crew leader shall be treated as the employer of such individual, and 2. Such other person shall be treated as having paid wages to such individual in an amount equal to the amount of wages paid to such individual by the crew leader, either on his own behalf or on behalf of such other person, for the service in agricultural labor performed for such other person. D. For the purposes of this section, the term "crew leader" means an individual who: 1. Furnishes individuals to perform service in agricultural labor for any other person, 2. Pays, either on his own behalf or on behalf of such other person, the individuals so furnished by him for the service in agricultural labor performed by them, and 3. Has not entered into a written agreement with such other person under which such individual is designated as an employee of such other person. Code 1950, § 60-14; 1952, cc. 30, 184; 1956, c. 440; 1962, c. 71; 1968, c. 738, § 60.1-14; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 235; 1972, c. 824; 1974, cc. 466, 660; 1976, c. 304; 1977, c. 330; 1979, c. 637; 1980, cc. 520, 522; 1981, cc. 28, 369, 374, 375; 1982, c. 25; 1983, c. 14; 1984, cc. 120, 139, 204; 1985, cc. 152, 254; 1986, c. 480; 1987, c. 113; 1993, c. 250; 1996, c. 745 .

Va. Code Ann. § 60.2-215 Domestic employment

"Employment" includes domestic service performed by an individual in a private home, local college club or local chapter of a college fraternity or sorority for a person who paid wages of $1,000 or more to individuals employed in such domestic service in any calendar quarter in the current calendar year or the preceding calendar year. The term "domestic service" shall not include any medical services performed by personnel such as a nurse, nurse's aide, private nurse, practical nurse, student nurse or attendant rendering medical services in a private residence or a medical institution where such personnel are employed by the person receiving such services. Code 1950, § 60-14; 1952, cc. 30, 184; 1956, c. 440; 1962, c. 71; 1968, c. 738, § 60.1-14; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 235; 1972, c. 824; 1974, cc. 466, 660; 1976, c. 304; 1977, c. 330; 1979, c. 637; 1980, cc. 520, 522; 1981, cc. 28, 369, 374, 375; 1982, c. 25; 1983, c. 14; 1984, cc. 120, 139, 204; 1985, cc. 152, 254; 1986, c. 480.

Va. Code Ann. § 60.2-216 Employment outside of United States

A. "Employment" includes any service of an individual who is a citizen of the United States, performed outside the United States, except in Canada, in the employ of an American employer other than service which is deemed "employment" under the provisions of subsections A and B of § 60.2-217 or the parallel provisions of another state's law, if: 1. The employer's principal place of business in the United States is located in this Commonwealth; 2. The employer has no place of business in the United States, but a. The employer is an individual who is a resident of this Commonwealth, b. The employer is a corporation which is organized under the laws of this Commonwealth, or c. The employer is a partnership or a trust and the number of the partners or trustees who are residents of this Commonwealth is greater than the number who are residents of any one other state; or 3. None of the criteria of subdivisions 1 and 2 of this subsection is met but the employer has elected coverage in this Commonwealth or, the employer having failed to elect coverage in any state, the individual has filed a claim for benefits, based on such service, under the law of this Commonwealth. B. An "American employer," for purposes of this section, means a person who is: 1. An individual who is a resident of the United States; 2. A partnership, if two-thirds or more of the partners are residents of the United States; 3. A trust, if all of the trustees are residents of the United States; or 4. A corporation organized under the laws of the United States or of any state. C. As used in this section, the term "United States" shall be defined as "state" is defined in § 60.2-225 . Code 1950, § 60-14; 1952, cc. 30, 184; 1956, c. 440; 1962, c. 71; 1968, c. 738, § 60.1-14; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 235; 1972, c. 824; 1974, cc. 466, 660; 1976, c. 304; 1977, c. 330; 1979, c. 637; 1980, cc. 520, 522; 1981, cc. 28, 369, 374, 375; 1982, c. 25; 1983, c. 14; 1984, cc. 120, 139, 204; 1985, cc. 152, 254; 1986, c. 480.

Va. Code Ann. § 60.2-217 Employment within and without Commonwealth

A. The term "employment" shall include an individual's entire service, performed within or both within and without this Commonwealth if: 1. The service is localized in this Commonwealth; or 2. The service is not localized in any state but some of the service is performed in this Commonwealth and (i) the base of operations, or, if there is no base of operations, then the place from which such service is directed or controlled, is in this Commonwealth; or (ii) the base of operations or place from which such service is directed or controlled is not in any state in which some part of the service is performed, but the individual's residence is in this Commonwealth. B. Services performed within this Commonwealth and not covered under subsection A of this section shall be deemed to be employment subject to this title if taxes are not required and paid with respect to such services under an unemployment compensation law of any other state or of the federal government. C. 1. Services not covered under subsection A of this section, and performed entirely without this Commonwealth, with respect to no part of which taxes are required and paid under an unemployment compensation law of any other state or of the federal government, shall be deemed to be employment subject to this title if (i) the individual performing such services is a resident of this Commonwealth and (ii) the Commission approves the election of the employing unit, for whom such services are performed, that the entire service of such individual shall be deemed to be employment subject to this title. 2. Services covered by an arrangement between the Commission and the agency charged with the administration of any other state or federal unemployment compensation law, pursuant to which all services performed by an individual for an employing unit are deemed to be performed entirely within this Commonwealth, shall be deemed to be employment if the Commission has approved an election of the employing unit for whom such services are performed, pursuant to which the entire service of such individual during the period covered by such election is deemed to be insured work. 3. The Commission is hereby authorized to enter into reciprocal arrangements with appropriate and duly authorized agencies of other states or the federal government whereby services performed by an individual for a single employing unit for which services are customarily performed in more than one state shall be deemed to be services performed entirely within any one of the states (i) in which any part of such individual's service is performed, (ii) in which such individual has his residence, or (iii) in which the employing unit maintains a place of business. Any such arrangement shall be authorized if there is in effect, as to such services, an election, approved by the agency charged with the administration of such state's unemployment compensation law, pursuant to which all the services performed by such individual for such employing unit are deemed to be performed entirely within such state. 4. To the extent permissible under the laws and Constitution of this Commonwealth and the United States, the Commission is authorized to enter into or cooperate in arrangements whereby facilities and services provided under this title and facilities and services provided under the unemployment compensation law of any foreign government established on the continent of North America, may be utilized for the taking of claims and the payment of benefits under this title or under a similar law of such foreign government. D. 1. Service shall be deemed to be localized within a state if: a. The service is performed entirely within such state; or b. The service is performed both within and without such state, but the service performed without such state is incidental to the individual's service within the state, for example is temporary or transitory in nature or consists of isolated transactions. 2. Services performed outside the state in which the base of operations is located shall be deemed to be incidental to the services performed within such state. Code 1950, § 60-14; 1952, cc. 30, 184; 1956, c. 440; 1962, c. 71; 1968, c. 738, § 60.1-14; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 235; 1972, c. 824; 1974, cc. 466, 660; 1976, c. 304; 1977, c. 330; 1979, c. 637; 1980, cc. 520, 522; 1981, cc. 28, 369, 374, 375; 1982, c. 25; 1983, c. 14; 1984, cc. 120, 139, 204; 1985, cc. 152, 254; 1986, c. 480.

Va. Code Ann. § 60.2-218 Employment taxed by federal law

Notwithstanding any other provision of §§ 60.2-212 through 60.2-217 and § 60.2-219 , the term "employment" shall mean service with respect to which a tax is required to be paid under any federal law imposing a tax against which credit may be taken for taxes required to be paid into a state unemployment fund or which as a condition for full tax credit against the tax imposed by the Federal Unemployment Tax Act is required to be covered under this title. Code 1950, § 60-14; 1952, cc. 30, 184; 1956, c. 440; 1962, c. 71; 1968, c. 738, § 60.1-14; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 235; 1972, c. 824; 1974, cc. 466, 660; 1976, c. 304; 1977, c. 330; 1979, c. 637; 1980, cc. 520, 522; 1981, cc. 28, 369, 374, 375; 1982, c. 25; 1983, c. 14; 1984, cc. 120, 139, 204; 1985, cc. 152, 254; 1986, c. 480.

Va. Code Ann. § 60.2-219 Services not included in term "employment."

The term "employment" shall not include: 1. Service performed in the employ of the United States government or of any instrumentality of the United States which is wholly or partially owned by the United States or which is exempt from the tax imposed by § 3301 of the Federal Internal Revenue Code by virtue of any provision of law which specifically refers to such section (or the corresponding section of prior law) in granting such exemption; 2. Service with respect to which unemployment compensation is payable under an unemployment compensation system established by an act of Congress, including service performed after June 30, 1939, for an employer determined to be subject to the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act (45 U.S.C. § 351 et seq.) by the agency or agencies empowered to make such determination by an act of Congress, and service as an employer representative determined to be subject to such act by such agency or agencies. The Commission is hereby authorized and directed to enter into agreements with the proper agencies under such act of Congress, which agreements shall become effective 10 days after publication thereof, in the manner provided in § 60.2-111 for general rules, to provide reciprocal treatment to individuals who have, after acquiring potential rights to benefits under this title, acquired rights to unemployment compensation under such act of Congress, or who have, after acquiring potential rights to unemployment compensation under such act of Congress, acquired rights to benefits under this title; 3. Agricultural labor as defined in § 60.2-201 except as provided for in § 60.2-214 ; 4. Domestic service in a private home, local college club or local chapter of a college fraternity or sorority except as provided for in § 60.2-215 ; 5. Service performed on or in connection with a vessel or aircraft not an American vessel or American aircraft by an employee, if the employee is employed on and in connection with such vessel or aircraft when outside the United States; 6. Service performed by an individual in, or as an officer or member of the crew of, a vessel while it is engaged in the catching, taking, harvesting, cultivating or farming of any kind of fish, shellfish, crustacea, sponges, seaweeds or other aquatic forms of animal and vegetable life, including service performed by any such individual as an ordinary incident to any such activity, except (i) service performed in connection with the catching or taking of salmon or halibut for commercial purposes and (ii) service performed on or in connection with a vessel of more than 10 net tons, determined in the manner provided for determining the register tonnage of merchant vessels under the laws of the United States; 6a. Service performed by an individual on a boat engaged in catching fish or other forms of aquatic life under an arrangement with the owner or operator of such boat pursuant to which: a. Such individual does not receive any cash remuneration, other than as provided in subdivision b; b. Such individual receives a share of the boat's, or the boats' in the case of a fishing operation involving more than one boat, catch of fish or other forms of aquatic animal life, or a share of the proceeds from the sale of such catch; and c. The amount of such individual's share depends on the amount of the boat's, or the boats' in the case of a fishing operation involving more than one boat, catch of fish or other forms of aquatic animal life, but only if the operating crew of such boat, or each boat from which the individual receives a share in the case of a fishing operation involving more than one boat is normally made up of fewer than 10 individuals; 7. Service performed by an individual in the employ of his son, daughter, or spouse and service performed by a child under the age of 21 in the employ of his father or mother; 8. Service performed in any calendar quarter in the employ of any organization exempt from income tax (i) under § 501(a) of the Federal Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C.), other than an organization described in § 401(a) of such Code, or (ii) under § 521 of the Federal Internal Revenue Code, if the remuneration for such service is less than $50; 9. Service performed in the employ of a school or institution of higher education, if such service is performed by a student who is enrolled and is regularly attending classes at such school or institution; 10. Service performed as a student nurse in the employ of a hospital or a nurses' training school by an individual who is enrolled and is regularly attending classes in a nurses' training school chartered or approved pursuant to state law; 11. Service performed as an intern in the employ of a hospital by an individual who has completed a four-year course in a medical school chartered or approved pursuant to state law; 12. Service performed by an individual for an employing unit as an insurance agent or as an insurance solicitor, if all such service performed by such individual for such employing unit is performed for remuneration solely by way of commission; 13. Service performed by an individual for an employing unit as a real estate salesman, if all such service performed by such individual for such employing unit is performed for remuneration solely by way of commission; 14. Service covered by an arrangement between the Commission and the agency charged with the administration of any other state or federal unemployment compensation law pursuant to which all services performed by an individual for an employing unit during the period covered by such employing unit's duly approved election are deemed to be performed entirely within such agency's state or under such federal law; 15. Service performed by an individual for an employing unit as an agent in the wholesale distribution and sale of gasoline and other petroleum products, if all such service performed by such individual for such employing unit is performed for remuneration solely by way of commission; 16. Service not in the course of the employer's trade or business performed in any calendar quarter by an employee, unless the cash remuneration paid for such service is $50 or more and such service is performed by an individual who is regularly employed by such employer to perform such service. For the purposes of this subdivision, an individual shall be deemed to be regularly employed by an employer during a calendar quarter only if (i) on each of some 24 days during such quarter such individual performs for such employer for some portion of the day service not in the course of the employer's trade or business, or (ii) such individual was regularly employed, as determined under clause (i) of this subdivision, by such employer in the performance of such service during the preceding calendar quarter; 17. a. Service performed by an individual who is enrolled at a nonprofit or public educational institution which normally maintains a regular faculty and curriculum and normally has a regularly organized body of students in attendance at the place where its educational activities are carried on. In order for such services to be excluded from "employment": (1) The individual shall be enrolled as a student in a full-time program, (2) The program shall be taken for credit at such institution, (3) The program combines academic instruction with work experience, and (4) Such service shall be an integral part of such program. b. Such institution shall certify to the employer that subdivisions 17 a (1) through 17 a (4) have been met. c. This subdivision shall not apply to service performed in a program established for or on behalf of an employer or group of employers; 18. Service performed in the employ of a hospital, if such service is performed by a patient of the hospital, as defined in § 60.2-221 ; 19. Services provided by an individual pursuant to an agreement among the service recipient, a public human services agency as defined in § 15.2-2811 , and such individual to an eligible service recipient in his own home or the home of the service provider, unless coverage of such services is required by the provisions of § 3304(a)(6)(A) of the Federal Unemployment Tax Act; 20. Services performed by an individual as a "direct seller" provided that: a. Such person: (1) Is engaged in the trade or business of selling, or soliciting the sale of, consumer products to any buyer on a buy-sell basis, a deposit-commission basis, or any similar basis which the Secretary of the Treasury prescribes by regulations for resale by the buyer or any other person in the home or otherwise than in a permanent retail establishment; (2) Is engaged in the trade or business of selling, or soliciting the sale of, consumer products to a consumer in the home or otherwise than in a permanent retail establishment; or (3) Is engaged in the trade or business of the delivery or distribution of newspapers or shopping news (including any delivery services directly related to such trade or business). b. Substantially all of the remuneration for the services performed as a direct seller, whether or not paid in cash, is directly related to sales or output, including the performances of services, rather than to the number of hours worked; c. The services performed by the person are performed pursuant to a written contract between such person and the person for whom the services are performed and such contract provides that the person will not be treated as an employee with respect to such services for federal tax purposes; 21. Service performed after July 1, 1984, by an individual as a taxicab driver, or as a driver of an executive sedan, provided the Commission is furnished evidence that such individual is excluded from taxation by the Federal Unemployment Tax Act; 22. Services performed by an individual as a "contract carrier courier driver" provided the Commission is furnished evidence that such individual is excluded from taxation by the Federal Unemployment Tax Act; 23. Services performed by a full-time student in the employ of an organized camp if: a. Such camp: (1) Did not operate for more than seven months in the calendar year and did not operate for more than seven months in the preceding calendar year; or (2) Had average gross receipts for any six months in the preceding calendar year which were not more than 33- 1/3 percent of its average gross receipts for the other six months in the preceding calendar year; and b. Such full-time student performed services in the employ of such camp for less than 13 calendar weeks in such calendar year; 24. Services performed by an individual as a court reporter for an employing unit if all such service performed by the individual for the employing unit is performed for remuneration solely by way of commission; 25. Services performed by an individual as a cosmetologist or as a barber provided the Commission is furnished evidence that such individual is excluded from taxation by the Federal Unemployment Tax Act; 26. Services performed by a licensed clinical social worker as defined in § 54.1-3700 , licensed psychologist as defined in § 54.1-3600 , licensed professional counselor as defined in § 54.1-3500 , licensed psychiatrist, or licensed marriage and family therapist as defined in § 54.1-3500 , if such individual: a. Operates under a contract specifying that the individual is free from control or direction over the performance of such services; b. Is licensed in the Commonwealth to perform independent clinical services; c. Is compensated solely by way of fees charged for services rendered by such individual; and d. Has a valid business license issued by the locality in which such individual performs such services; and 27. Services performed by an inmate for a penal or custodial institution or while participating in the community corrections alternative program pursuant to § 19.2-316.4 . Code 1950, § 60-14; 1952, cc. 30, 184; 1956, c. 440; 1962, c. 71; 1968, c. 738, § 60.1-14; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 235; 1972, c. 824; 1974, cc. 466, 660; 1976, c. 304; 1977, c. 330; 1979, c. 637; 1980, cc. 520, 522; 1981, cc. 28, 369, 374, 375; 1982, c. 25; 1983, c. 14; 1984, cc. 120, 139, 204; 1985, cc. 152, 254; 1986, c. 480; 1987, c. 113; 1988, c. 678; 1989, c. 339; 1992, c. 4; 1997, cc. 171 , 189 ; 2000, c. 438 ; 2003, c. 609 ; 2004, c. 977 ; 2005, c. 110 ; 2019, c. 618 .

Va. Code Ann. § 60.2-220 Institution of higher education

"Institution of higher education," for the purposes of this title, means an educational institution which: 1. Admits as regular students only individuals having a certificate of graduation from a high school, or the recognized equivalent of such a certificate; 2. Is legally authorized in this Commonwealth to provide a program of education beyond high school; 3. Provides an educational program for which it awards a bachelor's or higher degree, or provides a program which is acceptable for full credit toward such a degree, a program of postgraduate or postdoctoral studies, or a program of training to prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation; 4. Is a public or other nonprofit institution; and 5. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing provisions of this subsection, all colleges and universities in this Commonwealth are institutions of higher education for purposes of this section. 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 235, § 60.1-14.1; 1986, c. 480.

Va. Code Ann. § 60.2-221 Hospital

"Hospital" means an institution as defined in §§ 32.1-123 and 37.2-100 . 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 235, § 60.1-14.2; 1986, c. 480.

Va. Code Ann. § 60.2-222 Employment office

"Employment office" means a free public employment office, or branch thereof, operated (i) by this Commonwealth or maintained as a part of a state-controlled system of public employment offices or (ii) by a federal agency charged with the administration of free public employment offices. Code 1950, § 60-15; 1968, c. 738, § 60.1-15; 1986, c. 480.

Va. Code Ann. § 60.2-223 Fund

"Fund" means the Unemployment Compensation Fund established by this title, to which all taxes required and from which all benefits provided under this title shall be paid. Code 1950, § 60-16; 1968, c. 738, § 60.1-16; 1986, c. 480.

Va. Code Ann. § 60.2-224 Insured work

"Insured work" means employment for employers. Code 1950, § 60-17; 1968, c. 738, § 60.1-17; 1986, c. 480.

Va. Code Ann. § 60.2-225 State

"State" refers to the Commonwealth of Virginia, including land or premises located therein, owned, held or possessed by the United States, the states of the United States of America, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Code 1950, § 60-18; 1962, c. 71; 1968, c. 738, § 60.1-21; 1977, c. 330; 1986, c. 480.

Va. Code Ann. § 60.2-226 Unemployment

A. An individual shall be deemed "unemployed" in any week during which he performs no services and with respect to which no wages are payable to him, or in any week of less than full-time work if the wages payable to him with respect to such week are less than the total of his weekly benefit amount and the income disregard amount specified in § 60.2-603 . Wages shall be deemed payable to an individual with respect to any week for which wages are due. An individual's week of unemployment shall be deemed to commence only after his registration at an employment office, except as the Commission may by regulation otherwise prescribe. B. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this title, no individual shall be deemed unemployed with respect to any week he earns less than his weekly benefit amount solely because he did not work on a legal holiday as defined in § 2.2-3300 . Code 1950, § 60-20; 1954, c. 203; 1956, c. 440; 1968, c. 738, § 60.1-23; 1980, c. 463; 1986, c. 480; 1992, c. 5; 2025, c. 515 .

Va. Code Ann. § 60.2-227 Unemployment Compensation Administration Fund

"Unemployment Compensation Administration Fund" means the Unemployment Compensation Administration Fund established by this title, from which administrative expenses under this title shall be paid. Code 1950, § 60-21; 1968, c. 738, § 60.1-24; 1986, c. 480.

Va. Code Ann. § 60.2-228 American vessel and American aircraft

The term "American vessel" means any vessel documented or numbered under the laws of the United States, and includes any vessel which is neither documented or numbered under the laws of the United States nor documented under the laws of any foreign country, if its crew is employed solely by one or more citizens or residents of the United States or corporations organized under the laws of the United States or of any state. The term "American aircraft" means an aircraft registered under the laws of the United States. Code 1950, § 60-21.1; 1962, c. 71; 1968, c. 738, § 60.1-25; 1986, c. 480.

Va. Code Ann. § 60.2-229 Wages

A. "Wages" means all remuneration paid, or which should have been paid, for personal services, including commissions, bonuses, tips, back pay, dismissal pay, severance pay and any other payments made by an employer to an employee during his employment and thereafter and the cash value of all remuneration payable in any medium other than cash. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this subsection, wages paid in back pay awards shall be allocated to, and reported as being paid during, the calendar quarter or quarters in which such back pay would have been earned. Severance pay paid at the time of, or subsequent to, separation from employment shall be allocated to the last day of work unless otherwise allocated by the employer. If otherwise allocated, severance pay shall be allocated at a rate not less than the average weekly wage of such employee during the last calendar quarter, and reported as such. Severance pay shall be deducted from any benefits payable after the Commission's receipt of notification of severance pay by the employer pursuant to § 60.2-603 . The reasonable cash value of remuneration payable in any medium other than cash shall be estimated and determined in accordance with rules prescribed by the Commission. B. The term "wages" shall not include: 1. Subsequent to December 31, 1990, for purposes of taxes only, that part of the remuneration, other than remuneration referred to in the succeeding subdivisions of this subsection, that is greater than $8,000 and is payable during any calendar year to an individual by any employer with respect to employment in this Commonwealth or any other state. If an employer, hereinafter referred to as "successor employer," during any calendar year acquires substantially all of the property used in a trade or business of another employer, hereinafter referred to as a "predecessor," or used in a separate unit of a trade or business of a predecessor, and immediately after the acquisition employs in his trade or business an individual who immediately prior to the acquisition was employed in the trade or business of such predecessor, then, for the purpose of determining whether remuneration, other than remuneration referred to in the succeeding subdivisions of this subsection, with respect to employment equal to $8,000 is payable by the successor to such individual during such calendar year, any remuneration, other than remuneration referred to in the succeeding subdivisions of this subsection, with respect to employment payable, or considered under this subdivision as payable, to such individual by such predecessor during such calendar year and prior to such acquisition shall be considered as payable by such successor employer; 2. The amount of any payment, including any amount paid by an employer for insurance or annuities, or into a fund, to provide for any such payment, made to, or on behalf of, an employee or any of his dependents under a plan or system established by an employer which makes provisions for (i) his employees generally, (ii) for his employees generally and their dependents, (iii) for a class or classes of his employees, or (iv) for a class or classes of his employees and their dependents, on account of: a. Retirement; b. Sickness or accident disability payments which are received under a workers' compensation law; c. Medical or hospitalization expenses in connection with sickness or accident disability; d. Death; or e. Unemployment benefits under any private plan financed in whole or in part by an employer; 3. The payment by an employer, without deduction from the remuneration of the employee, of the tax imposed upon an employer under § 3101 of the Federal Internal Revenue Code; 4. Any payment on account of sickness or accident disability, or medical or hospitalization expenses in connection with the sickness or accident disability, made by an employer to, or on behalf of, an employee after the expiration of six calendar months following the last calendar month in which the employee worked for such employer; 5. Remuneration paid in any medium other than cash to an employee for service not in the course of the employer's trade or business; 6. Any payment, other than vacation or sick pay, made to an employee after the month in which he attains the age of 65, if he did not work for the employer in the period for which such payment is made; or 7. Any payment made to, or on behalf of, an employee or his beneficiary under a cafeteria plan, as defined in § 125 of the Internal Revenue Code, if such payment would not be treated as wages under the Internal Revenue Code. Code 1950, § 60-22; 1952, c. 184; 1954, c. 203; 1956, c. 440; 1968, c. 9; 1968, c. 738, § 60.1-26; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 235; 1974, c. 466; 1976, c. 591; 1977, c. 330; 1979, cc. 629, 637; 1982, c. 363; 1983, c. 14; 1984, cc. 204, 408; 1986, c. 480; 1990, c. 908; 1993, c. 576; 1995, c. 515 ; 2020, c. 1261 .

Va. Code Ann. § 60.2-230 Week

"Week" means calendar week, ending at midnight Saturday, or the equivalent thereof as determined in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Commission, except as provided for in subdivision 9 of subsection B of § 60.2-210 . Code 1950, § 60-23; 1968, c. 738, § 60.1-27; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 235; 1986, c. 480.

Va. Code Ann. § 60.2-231 Certain federal acts and statutes defined

The following federal acts and laws as used in this title shall mean the following: 1. The Federal Unemployment Tax Act shall mean those provisions found in Chapter 23 (26 U.S.C. § 3301 et seq.) of Title 26 of the United States Code. 2. The Federal Internal Revenue Code shall mean those provisions found in Title 26 of the United States Code. 3. The Social Security Act shall mean those provisions found in Chapter 7 (42 U.S.C. § 301 et seq.) of Title 42 of the United States Code. Code 1950, § 60-19; 1968, c. 738, § 60.1-22; 1986, c. 480.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title60.2/chapter2/Fetched: 10/16/2026