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1. Who sets the personal property tax rate?

The Board of Supervisors establishes a personal property tax rate each year. The tax rate may vary according to category.

2. How do I calculate the tax I must pay?

 Example for a Personal Use Vehicle Valued at $20,000 or Less

 Assessed value of the vehicle is $8,000

• 8,000 x .036 (for 12 months) = $288.00
• Calculate personal property relief: 51% (for 2019) x $288 = $146.88
• Reduce the tax by the relief amount: $288.00 - $146.88 = $141.12
• Annual Tax Amount = $141.12

Example for a Personal Use Vehicle Valued at More than $20,000

Assessed value of vehicle is $25,000

• Apply the .036 (12 months) x $25,000 = $900
• Calculate personal property relief on 1st $20,000 of value: .036 x $20,000 x 51% (for 2019) = $367.20.
• Reduce the tax by the relief amount: $900.00 - $367.20 = $532.80
• Annual Tax Amount = $532.80

Use the table provided for months owned.

Note: If disposed prior to the 15^th of the month, do not count that month.  If after the 15^th, you will need to count that month.

Number of Months	Percentage
12	0.036
11	0.033
10	0.030
9	0.027
8	0.024
7	0.021
6	0.018
5	0.015
4	0.012
3	0.009
2	0.006
1	0.003

     

3. Is my watercraft taxable if it's not registered with the game and inland fisheries?

Yes. 

• Boats are not prorated
• Assessment based on ABOS Marine Blue Book Value
• Effective January 1, 2017 - Boats less than 18 feet in length, used for personal use, and non-motorized are exempt from personal property tax per county ordinance.

4. I have a child enrolled as a full-time student at Virginia Tech. Where should I report the car he drives for personal property tax purposes?

If a car is being used by a college student the situs for personal property tax purposes is the domicile of the owner of the car. In this case, whether the car is owned by the student or the parent(s) the domicile is Chesterfield County; therefore, the car should be reported to Chesterfield County.

5. Do I get a tax break for being a fire/rescue volunteer?

Yes. You must file a Volunteer Vehicle Certification Form (PDF) by January 31 of each tax year. There is a reduced tax rate applied to the vehicle's assessed value to determine the tax.

Note: If you purchase a vehicle after January 31st of the tax year there is no reduced tax allowed until the following year.

6. Do I need to file another Volunteer Vehicle Certification form if I replace a certified vehicle during the tax year?

Yes, you must file a Volunteer Vehicle Certification form (PDF) with the Office of the Commissioner of the Revenue each time you replace a previously certified volunteer fire/rescue vehicle.

7. Where do I pay personal property taxes if I am in the military and my home of record is Virginia?

If your home of record is Chesterfield, Virginia then your vehicle(s) is subject to personal property tax in Chesterfield County, regardless of where the vehicle is garaged during active military service.

8. Where do I pay personal property taxes if I am in the military and my home of record is not Virginia?

If your home of record is not Virginia, and your car is registered in Chesterfield County, you must provide our office with a Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) for January of the appropriate tax year to qualify for the military exemption. If you move your vehicle registration to Chesterfield County during the tax year you'll need to provide a current (LES).

9. Do I qualify for the military exemption if the vehicle is jointly owned? Does my non-military spouse qualify for the exemption if the vehicle is titled solely in his/her name?

Yes, if all of the following criteria are met:

• One owner is an active-duty military service member, and the co-owner is the military service member’s spouse.
• The active-duty military service member’s home of record is not Virginia.
• The spouse resides here in Chesterfield County temporarily to be with their military spouse who is here on military orders.
• Must submit a Military Spouses Residency Relief Form (PDF)
• One of the following:  copy of the Marriage Certificate, copy of tax return to verify joint filing or a visual of the dependent military id card of the spouse.

10. Do I qualify for the vehicle tax exemption if I substitute as pastor at churches in the Richmond area?

No, to qualify for the tax exemption you must be a duly designated ecclesiastical officer of a particular church, religious association or denomination, and the vehicle must be used predominately for church purposes.

11. What is proration?

Proration is the method of taxation monthly for the portion of the calendar year personal property is owned and/or located in the jurisdiction.

• Chesterfield prorates vehicles, motorcycles and recreational vehicles.
• All other property is not prorated: 
  • boats
  • trailers
  • mobile homes
  • airplanes

12. If my personal vehicle is unused or unlicensed, do I still need to register and pay personal property taxes?

Yes, all personal property is taxable, even unlicensed and/or inoperable vehicles. This property must be filed on or before the first business day of March, each year, for as long as you own it. However, you may Appeal Your Vehicle Assessment.