Virginia Personal Property Tax: What You Need to Know in 2025

When you own a car, boat, or business equipment in Virginia, you’re likely paying Virginia personal property tax, a local tax on tangible personal property owned by individuals or businesses. Also known as personal property tax, it’s not a state-wide flat rate—it’s set by each city or county, and it hits owners every year, whether they realize it or not. Unlike property taxes on houses, this tax follows the asset, not the land. So if you own a rental car, a commercial truck, or even a jet ski, Virginia’s local governments expect you to pay up.

This tax isn’t just for cars. If you’re a landlord in Virginia, your rental property tax, the tax burden on income-generating real estate and associated equipment includes personal property like refrigerators, dishwashers, or window AC units you provide. Some counties tax these items separately, others bundle them into your overall rental tax bill. And if you’re self-managing your rental, you’re responsible for tracking and paying this—no one will remind you. Miss a payment? Penalties pile up fast. The same goes for business owners: a single delivery van or industrial printer can trigger a tax bill you didn’t expect.

Virginia’s system is local, which means the rules change depending on where you live. In Fairfax County, they assess vehicles based on book value and send bills in June. In Richmond, they might include trailers and tools. And if you’re renting out a property in Arlington, you might get hit with both real estate and personal property taxes on appliances. That’s why so many landlords in Virginia end up confused—they think their property tax bill covers everything, but it doesn’t. The Virginia tax on vehicles, the annual fee charged by localities on registered motor vehicles is a separate line item, often mailed months after your registration renewal.

There’s no escape if you own something movable and valuable. Even if you don’t live in Virginia full-time, if your car is registered there—or if your business equipment sits in a warehouse in Roanoke—you owe the tax. Some counties offer exemptions for veterans, disabled persons, or low-income households, but you have to apply. It’s not automatic. And if you’re thinking of moving out of state, don’t assume your tax obligation ends the day you leave. Virginia can still bill you for the year you owned the asset, even if you sold it last month.

What you’ll find below are real, practical guides from landlords and owners who’ve been through this. One post breaks down exactly how to calculate your car’s tax in Loudoun County using their online tool. Another shows how a Virginia landlord saved $800 by disputing an overvalued washer-dryer assessment. There’s a step-by-step on what to do if you get a tax notice for a car you sold last year. And yes, there’s a 2025 update on which counties raised rates—and by how much.

This isn’t about guessing or hoping you’re right. It’s about knowing what you owe, why you owe it, and how to handle it without overpaying. Whether you drive a daily commuter, rent out a duplex, or run a small business out of your garage, the Virginia personal property tax is part of your cost of ownership. And if you ignore it, you’ll pay more in penalties than you ever would in taxes.