Vehicle Personal Property Tax

Tax Relief


View the Vehicle Qualification for Personal Property Tax Relief notice for details about tax relief.
Active duty military and spouses with states of record other than Virginia are eligible for personal property tax relief. January LES must be presented each year to verify tax relief. Volunteer fire, EMS, police, and rescue squad are also eligible for tax relief upon yearly presentation of a letter from the chief verifying your volunteer status.

Vehicle Taxation


The City of Colonial Heights taxes all vehicles located in the city. Virginia law gives the Commissioner of the Revenue the duty of assessing vehicles and administering the tax. The Colonial Heights City Council sets the tax rate each spring.

Definition


Tangible Personal Property is defined as:
  • Automobiles
  • Boat motors
  • Boats
  • Buses
  • Motor homes
  • Motorcycles
  • Semi-trailers
  • Utility Trailers
  • Trucks
  • Campers

Vehicles Subject to Tax


Nearly all vehicles located in the City of Colonial Heights are subject to personal property tax, including vehicles that do not run, and vehicles that are temporarily absent from Colonial Heights. A vehicle is temporarily absent if it does not acquire a taxable status in another jurisdiction. Owners are responsible for reporting or filing all vehicles with the Commissioner of the Revenue.

City Decals


Effective March 13, 2018, City Council voted to discontinue the required display of a city decal. A vehicle registration fee continues to be assessed on each of the above personal property types according to class and weight. 

Tax Return Filing Date


Purchases of vehicles and disposal of vehicles are required to be reported to the Commissioner's Office within 30 days of either the purchase or disposal and not later than January 31 of each year following. A 10% late filing fee may be charged for late filings or no notifications after January 31. Owners of vehicles registered in Colonial Heights on or before January 1 will receive a tax bill which is due on June 5 and December 5.

Assessment


The City of Colonial Heights Commissioner of the Revenue uses the Clean Loan value published in the current year JD POWER 
Official Used Car Guide to assess all vehicles. The actual price you paid for the vehicle may be the basis for the assessment only if the vehicle is not listed in the pricing guide. Appeals of assessed values based on condition and mileage only may be made on a case by case basis to the Commissioner of the Revenue. 

Office Location & Hours


The Commissioner of the Revenue is located at 201 James Ave. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.