Question for Virginians

[nick__45]

To anyone here from VA, I like to know if I return my car tag, would I still need to pay for property tax on my vehicle? While it is not much, I still don't want to pay it if it is not registered and tagged. I have some 4x4s that I want to keep as emergency and off-road vehicles only. I do have a feeling they may not pass state inspection this year and would rather not deal with the hassle of going through one. However, I won't sell them because they run well and could use a 4x4 in case of emergency during nasty weather. With the snow we had 2 years ago, I doubt any ambulance can get here on time. Additionally, it cost $400+ to catch a 5 miles ambulance ride. I rather pay the no registration ticket if it comes to that. At least, I can go to court with a medical billing paperwork to show that usage of the unregistered vehicle was strictly for medical emergency.

Once my 4x4s turn 25 years old, I'll just put antique tag on them. With the gas price they way it is, I only use each of the 2 4x4s less than 150 miles a month just to keep things well lubricated.

Thanks.

[bennkar]

I'm fairly certain you would need to check with your county's rules on property tax. I believe mine will refund the portion of the tax if the fraction of the year left is above a certain amount (20%???). Anyway, check your county web site (they have one, don't they?) and it should give you the rules on that.

[nick__45]

I'm fairly certain you would need to check with your county's rules on property tax. I believe mine will refund the portion of the tax if the fraction of the year left is above a certain amount (20%???). Anyway, check your county web site (they have one, don't they?) and it should give you the rules on that.

I checked and even called the treasurer's office but no one knows. They said I should tried and if I don't get the bill then there is no fee. Gov't employees at their finest.

[bennkar]

Here is a link to my county's quick blurb on how they handle it:
Car Tax - Frequently Asked Questions - Fairfax County, Virginia
Note that it says you get an adjustment, but.... that there are "non-prorating Virginia jurisdictions". So some do, some don't. As I said, you'll have to talk with the right person, or find the right data somewhere on whether they pro-rate or not.

[Like2Plan]

Nick,
I'm not sure these references apply to your situation because each county does things differently....but anyway, I picked the category Unregistered Farm Use vehicles:
link to Virigins DMV Farm Use vehicles

Then, I did a search for Virginia Property taxes on Farm Use vehicles and came up with this refererence:
Link to Loundon County web site--

Here is an excerpt:

Farm Use Vehicles
If I own a farm use vehicle, and I have removed the license plates that are obtained from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or have purchased a farm use placard like the type that may be acquired from a farm supply store, is my farm use vehicle still subject to local personal property taxation?
Yes. While the state of Virginia provides for special registration, titling and licensing treatment for farm use vehicles, such treatment does not extend to local taxation. Virginia provides rules and exemptions for the registration, titling, and license plate display for farm use vehicles in Virginia Code § 46.2-665. However, these particular code sections relate solely to the registration, license plates and decals issued by DMV. An exemption from state licensing and registration requirements does not automatically result in an exemption from local personal property taxation.

While Virginia Code § 58.1-3505 provides Virginia localities with the authority to, by ordinance, exempt from local personal property taxes certain farm animals, grains, agricultural products, farm machinery, implements and equipment, none of the property classes which may be exempted encompasses motor vehicles. Additionally, farm use vehicles do not qualify for personal property tax relief (PPTR) because they are business use vehicles. Although Loudoun has adopted an ordinance that exempts from local property taxes, livestock, feed and farm equipment, farm use vehicles remain taxable whether they display license plates or a placard or no tags at all.

Owners of vehicles in the county that are assessed at $476 or less do not receive a tax bill on such property due to the county’s current minimum billing threshold of $20. Consequently, many farm use vehicles in the county, although subject to local taxation, are of such age and low value that no tax bill is generated.

Additional information concerning registered farm vehicles (F-tag) and unregistered farm vehicles (farm use) can be found on DMV’s website at Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles vehicles/farm.asp .

Here is a link to Arlington County
Q. Which vehicles are subject to the Vehicle Personal Property Tax?
A. All vehicles located in Arlington County are subject to personal property tax, including vehicles that are not registered in Virginia, vehicles that do not run, and vehicles that are temporarily absent from Arlington County. A vehicle is temporarily absent if it has not been legally registered in another jurisdiction.