Virginia Personal Property Tax Calculator
How Virginia's Personal Property Tax Works
Virginia taxes vehicles, boats, trailers, and aircraft based on assessed value and local county rates. Your tax is calculated as: (Assessed Value ÷ 100) × Local Rate per $100. Rates vary by county and can range from $4.00 to $4.50 per $100 of assessed value.
Example: A $14,000 vehicle in a county with $4.00 per $100 rate would cost: ($14,000 ÷ 100) × $4.00 = $560 per year.
Your Annual Tax
Important: If you pay after June 30, you'll incur a 10% late fee. Vehicle registration will be suspended after 30 days of non-payment.
Don't wait until the last minute—payment systems get overloaded in late June.
Every year in Virginia, tens of thousands of residents forget to pay their personal property tax-until they get a notice, a late fee, or worse, a suspension on their vehicle registration. It’s not a big secret, but it’s easy to miss if you don’t know where to look or what’s due. Personal property tax in Virginia isn’t about your home-it’s about what you own that moves: cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, trailers, and even airplanes. If you live in Virginia and own one of these, you owe this tax. And yes, it’s due every year, no exceptions.
What counts as personal property in Virginia?
Virginia taxes personal property based on what you own as of January 1 each year. That means if you bought a new car in March, you still owe tax on it for the full year. The same goes for a boat you bought in November-still taxable. The list includes:
- Motor vehicles (cars, trucks, SUVs, vans)
- Motorcycles and mopeds
- Trailers and campers
- Boats and jet skis
- Commercial vehicles (even if used for business)
- Airplanes and helicopters
It doesn’t include household items like furniture, electronics, or jewelry. Those are exempt. But if it has wheels, floats, or flies-and you own it-it’s taxable. Each county and city sets its own rate, so your bill can vary wildly. For example, Fairfax County charges $4.50 per $100 of assessed value, while Richmond charges $4.33. The state doesn’t set a uniform rate-it’s local.
How is the tax amount calculated?
Your tax bill starts with the assessed value of your vehicle or asset. This isn’t what you paid for it. It’s not even what it’s worth on Kelley Blue Book. Virginia uses a formula based on the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) guide, adjusted for age and condition. The tax collector’s office runs this every January and sends you a notice by mail-usually in late November or early December.
Let’s say you own a 2020 Honda Civic. The NADA value might be $14,000. If your county uses a rate of $4.00 per $100, here’s the math:
$14,000 ÷ 100 = 140
140 × $4.00 = $560
That’s your annual tax bill. Some counties offer discounts for electric vehicles or older cars, but most don’t. And if you sold the car in June? You still owe the full tax for the year. Virginia doesn’t prorate.
When is the payment due?
The due date isn’t the same across Virginia. It’s set by each city or county. Most places have two options: pay in full by June 30 or pay in two installments-half by June 30, half by December 31. Some, like Loudoun County, require full payment by June 30 only. Others, like Chesapeake, let you pay in installments.
Check your notice. It will say exactly when your payment is due. Miss it, and you’ll get a 10% late fee added immediately. After 30 days, your vehicle registration can be suspended. That means you can’t legally drive your car until you pay the tax, the late fee, and a $25 reinstatement fee. And if you’re caught driving with a suspended registration? You could face a ticket, court costs, or even impoundment.
How to pay personal property tax in Virginia
You have four ways to pay. Pick the one that works for you.
- Online - Most counties have a portal on their official website. Search for “[Your County] personal property tax payment.” You’ll need your account number, which is on your tax notice. You can pay with a credit card, debit card, or bank transfer. Some counties charge a small convenience fee for cards.
- By mail - Send a check or money order to your local commissioner of the revenue or tax collector’s office. Always include your tax account number on the check. Never send cash. Allow 7-10 days for processing.
- In person - Visit your local tax office during business hours. Bring your notice and payment. Some offices also have drop boxes outside for after-hours payments.
- Through your bank - Many banks offer bill pay services. Set up your local tax office as a payee using the account number from your notice. This is reliable, but check with your bank-some take up to 5 business days to process.
Pro tip: Don’t wait until the last day. Online systems get overloaded in late June. If you pay on June 29, it might not post until June 30, and you’ll still be flagged as late. Pay by June 25 to be safe.
What if you don’t get a bill?
Virginia law says you’re still responsible-even if you never received a notice. Maybe your mail got lost. Maybe you moved. Maybe the system glitched. Doesn’t matter. If you own a taxable vehicle and didn’t pay, you owe it. The tax office doesn’t have to chase you. You have to chase them.
If you didn’t get a bill, call your local commissioner of the revenue. Find their number on your county’s official website. Ask for your current assessed value and tax amount. Pay immediately. Waiting only adds late fees and risks registration suspension.
What if you sold or traded your vehicle?
Here’s the catch: You still owe the full year’s tax. But you can apply for a refund. If you sold your car in April and paid the full tax, you can file for a prorated refund. You’ll need:
- A copy of the bill of sale or title transfer
- Proof the vehicle was registered in another state or scrapped
- Your original tax payment receipt
Submit this to your tax office. Refunds can take 6-8 weeks. Don’t expect cash back-most are issued as checks. And if you bought a car from someone else, you’re responsible for the tax starting January 1, even if you didn’t own it then. The previous owner’s tax is their problem. Yours starts when you register the vehicle in Virginia.
Can you get a discount or exemption?
Yes-but only in limited cases. Virginia offers exemptions for:
- Active-duty military stationed in Virginia but legally domiciled elsewhere
- Disabled veterans with qualifying service-connected disabilities
- Certain nonprofit organizations
- Electric vehicles (in some counties-check local rules)
There’s no blanket discount for seniors, low income, or retirees. Some counties offer their own programs, like a 10% discount for vehicles over 10 years old, but it’s rare. Always ask your local tax office before assuming you qualify.
What happens if you ignore it?
Ignoring your personal property tax has real consequences. First, you’ll get a late fee of 10%. Then, after 30 days, your vehicle registration will be suspended. That means you can’t renew your license plates. You can’t legally drive. You can’t even get a safety inspection.
After 90 days, the tax office can refer your debt to a collection agency. That means your credit report gets hit. And if you still don’t pay, the state can put a lien on your property or even garnish your wages.
It’s not a small thing. One woman in Roanoke had her car towed because she didn’t pay $87 in taxes. The total cost to get it back? $420. Don’t let that be you.
Where to find your local tax office
Every county and city in Virginia runs its own tax system. You can’t pay at a state office. You must go to your local one. Here’s how to find yours:
- Go to Virginia Department of Taxation website
- Click on "Local Tax Officials"
- Search by your city or county
- Get the phone number, address, and payment portal link
Or just Google: "[Your County] commissioner of the revenue". That’s the official title for the person who handles personal property tax.
What if you move out of Virginia?
If you move to another state, you still owe Virginia personal property tax for the year you lived here. But you can get a refund for the months you didn’t own the vehicle in Virginia. For example: you lived in Virginia from January to May, then moved to North Carolina. You paid the full tax. You can file for a refund for June-December.
You’ll need proof of your new address and your new vehicle registration. Submit it to your old Virginia tax office. Refunds are processed within 8-10 weeks.
Do I have to pay personal property tax if I lease a car in Virginia?
Yes. If you lease a car in Virginia, the leasing company is responsible for paying the tax-but they pass the cost to you in your monthly payment. Check your lease agreement. You’ll see a line item for "personal property tax" or "vehicle tax." You’re paying it, even if the company writes the check.
Can I pay personal property tax with a credit card?
Most Virginia counties allow credit card payments online, but they charge a convenience fee-usually 2.5% to 3%. Some, like Fairfax, accept debit cards with no fee. Check your county’s payment portal before using a card.
Is there a grace period for paying personal property tax in Virginia?
No. Virginia doesn’t have a grace period. Payments are due exactly on the date listed on your notice. If you pay on June 30, but the system posts it on July 1, you’re still late. Pay by June 25 to avoid any risk.
What if my vehicle was stolen or totaled?
If your vehicle was stolen and not recovered by the end of the year, or totaled in an accident, you may qualify for a refund. You need a police report for theft or a salvage title for a totaled vehicle. Submit this with your payment receipt to your local tax office. Refunds are processed on a case-by-case basis.
Do I pay personal property tax on a trailer I use for camping?
Yes. If your trailer is registered in Virginia, it’s subject to personal property tax. This includes travel trailers, utility trailers, and boat trailers-even if you only use them a few times a year. The tax is based on its assessed value, just like a car.
Next steps: What to do right now
It’s November 20, 2025. That means your tax notice is probably already in the mail-or already arrived. Here’s what to do in the next 48 hours:
- Find your tax notice. Check your mailbox or log into your county’s online portal.
- Confirm your vehicle’s assessed value. If it looks wrong, call the tax office to dispute it.
- Write down your due date. Don’t rely on memory.
- Choose your payment method. Set up online payment or schedule a check to go out.
- Set a calendar reminder for June 25. Don’t wait.
Personal property tax in Virginia isn’t complicated. It’s just easy to ignore. But ignoring it costs more than paying it. Pay on time. Keep your registration active. And don’t let a $50 bill turn into a $400 headache.
