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1. What is considered individual personal property?

Virginia State Code Section § 58.1-3503 defines personal property as automobiles, trucks, manufactured homes, motorcycles, recreational vehicles, boats, trailers, and aircraft.

2. How do I file an individual personal property return? What is the filing deadline?

New Kent County will file a tangible personal property report with you. In May of the tax year, we mail our taxpayers a copy of the personal property owned as of January 1 and assessments for that tax year. Please review this form carefully to make sure it is accurate. If changes are necessary (this includes unreported condition and mileage), you should write the changes on the form and return a copy to our office by July 1. We will review these forms and make the necessary changes prior to billing.

3. I am a new resident to New Kent County. How do I register with the county?

The Commissioner of the Revenue welcomes you to New Kent County. All vehicles should be registered with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) prior to notifying us.

Vehicles can be registered by visiting our office, by emailing a Vehicle Registration Form, or faxing a copy of the vehicle registration to (804) 966-5562.

4. I am moving out of New Kent County. What do I need to do?

Please contact the Commissioner of the Revenue's office at (804) 966-9610 to update your address. Please be aware that New Kent County is a non-prorating jurisdiction. Personal Property taxes are owed as of January 1 of the current year.

5. I am planning to dispose of my vehicle. What do I need to do?

Virginia DMV requires notificaiton within 30 days of selling, trading, junking, etc. a vehicle by completing the back portion of the vehicle registration form. Once DMV has been notified, you are required to notify the Commissioner of the Revenue. You may notify the office via telephone, fax, mail, or email.

6. Do I need to register a leased vehicle with New Kent County?

Any leased vehicle, including business vehicles, garaged in New Kent County must be registered with our office immediately following the date the vehicle moved to the County. The lessee is responsible for registering the leased vehicle with our office regardless of the party responsible for the taxes.

7. I am in the military; do I have to pay personal property taxes?

If your legal domicile is Virginia, your vehicle(s) is/are subject to personal property taxes from the locality where you are registered regardless of where the vehicle is garaged during your active military service. If your vehicle is titled in Virginia, but your legal domicile is not in Virginia, your vehicle is not subject to Virginia property taxes. A copy of a current LES statement is required to absolve any liability to Virginia. This policy only applies to vehicles registered/titled to active military personnel.

8. I own an antique vehicle with antique/vintage restricted tags, do I have to register this vehicle?

Yes, all vehicles need to be registered with New Kent County. If the vehicle is classified as an antique or vintage and has permanent license plates issued as specified in Virginia State Code Section § 46.2-730, then the vehicle is not subject to taxation.

9. My spouse and I are separated and our vehicle is jointly owned. Who is responsible for the personal property taxes?

The vehicle is taxed in both names and both parties are equally responsible for the taxes until the title is changed with DMV. New Kent County is a non-prorating county. Personal property taxes are assessed as they are titled on January 1 of the tax year.

10. How do you determine the assessment on a vehicle?

We use the Eastern Edition, N.A.D.A. Official Used Car Guide effective as of January of the year of tax. We use the lowest value, which is the loan value and do not add for optional equipment. High mileage and/or condition are taken into consideration if you reported.

11. When are personal property taxes due? Where do I send payements? How much did I pay in taxes last year?

Personal Property taxes are due on December 5. Payments should be sent to the Treasurer's Office. The Treasurer's Office can answer any questions you have about current and past tax payments.

12. Does New Kent County offer a discount for vehicles with high mileage?

High mileage and/or condition are taken into consideration if reported. Mileage and condition discounts are based upon January 1 of the tax year. The criteria for the high mileage discount program conform to the guidelines provide by N.A.D.A. Your mileage must be reported at the time of registration or on your Personal Property Tax Return due by July 1. This report is mailed to you in May and must be returned by July 1.

13. Why do I need to file for the high mileage discount every year?

The amount of discount applied to the assessment is calculated according to the year of the vehicle, the make, and the amount of mileage. In order to ensure that you receive the greatest amount of relief available, our office requires a year update of information.

14. How do I contact DMV to update my vehicle information?

The customer service telephone number for DMV is (804) 367-0538. You may also access their website through the following link.

15. When will I stop paying personal property tax?

The Governor's "No Car Tax" plan is not a complete elimination of car taxes. It is inteded to alleviate the tax burden on the first $20,000 of assessment value. It excludes campers, motor homes, trailers, business, and farm vehicles.