Tax Information

Personal Property

All cities and counties in Virginia have a personal property tax. The City of Poquoson taxes cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, motor homes, trailers, semi-trailers, and boats. This tax is assessed by the Commissioner of the Revenue while taxes are paid to the Treasurer.

Vehicles That May Be Taxed in Poquoson

Vehicles registered in the City of Poquoson will be taxed. Vehicles not registered with Virginia State Department of Motor Vehicles or the City of Poquoson are also subject to tax if the vehicle is normally garaged, stored, or parked in Poquoson, with the exception of those exempted by law.

Virginia personal property tax is assessed by the Commissioner of the Revenue. Assessments are based on the average value of similar vehicles as listed in pricing guides such as the N.A.D.A. (National Automobile Dealers Association) used car guide. Personal property tax rates are set annually by the City Council as part of the budget process.

Personal Property Tax Due Dates

Bills on vehicle tax accounts for the first half of the calendar year are due June 5. Tax bills for the second half are due December 5. Personal property tax bills are applicable to the calendar year in which issued, or on a pro-rated portion of that year. The 2006/2007 rate is $4.15 per $100 of the assessed value.

There is a penalty required by the Virginia State Tax Code for late payment of taxes. This penalty is 10% or $10, whichever is greater, but not to exceed the amount of the tax. The Treasurer of Poquoson is also required by Code to collect interest at an annual rate of at least 10% until payment is made.

If You Do Not Receive a Personal Property Tax Bill

Anyone who owns personal property or acquires additional personal property should receive a tax bill approximately four weeks prior to the June 5 due date and by mid-October for the December 5 due date. If you do not receive a bill, contact the Treasurer's Office before the due date at (757) 868-3015. The appropriate information can be given over the telephone. It is preferable, but not necessary to have the bill or a copy of the bill in order to make payment.

Virginia law requires that the Treasurer mail bills for taxes due at least two (2) weeks prior to the due date. If a bill is not delivered on time, the taxpayer is not relieved of the penalty and interest charge required by law for the late payment. This is true whether the cause is Post Office error, a mistake in address information at the Treasurer's Office or any other such case. The law is clear that the taxpayer is required to know the due date, to determine the amount owed and to pay it on time, even when a bill is not received by the taxpayer.

Check Your Tax Bill Carefully

You must report all errors that appear on your tax bill to the Commission of the Revenue. That office is responsible for the assessment of tax and is the only office that can correct errors on tax assessments.

All Personal Property Tax Must Be Paid Before You Can Purchase City Vehicle Decals.

Real Estate

Real Estate Assessments

Assessments are determined by the City Assessor each year based upon the fair market value as of July 1 of that year. Assessing property is an involved process, therefore, interested citizens who would like more precise details are encouraged to contact the Assessor's Office at (757) 868-3080.

Taxable Real Property

All real property in the City of Poquoson is subject to taxation, except that which is specifically exempt. Property is assessed as of July 1 of each year by the City Assessor. The City Council sets the tax rate each year as part of the budget process. The 2006/2007 rate is $0.81 per $100 of the assessed value. Payment is made to the Treasurer's Office in two installments due December 5th and June 5th (Fiscal Year).

Under Virginia law, failure to receive a tax bill will not relieve the penalty and interest charge that must be applied to all past due bills. The post-mark applied by the U.S. Postal Service to envelopes containing payment is used to determine timeliness for mailed payments.

Exempt Property

Certain property owned by the City, State or Federal Government; property specifically exempted by statute or by determination of the Assessor for religious, charitable, or other specific reasons are exempted from real estate taxes.

Tax Relief

City of Poquoson residents aged 65 or over and certain disabled persons may be eligible for exemption and/or deferral of real estate tax depending upon their annual income and assets (not including the value of the home). Applications for tax relief must be filed each year with the Commissioner of the Revenue. Further information on the program is available by calling the Commissioner's Office at (757) 868-3020.

If You Do Not Receive a Real Estate Tax Bill

Anyone who owns property or acquires additional property should receive a tax bill approximately four weeks prior to the June 5 due date and by mid-October for the December 5 due date. If you do not receive a bill, contact the Treasurer's Office before the due date at (757) 868-3015. The appropriate information can be given over the telephone. It is preferable, but not necessary to have the bill or a copy of the bill in order to make payment.

Virginia law requires that the Treasurer mail bills for taxes due at least two (2) weeks prior to the due date. If a bill is not delivered on time, the taxpayer is not relieved of the penalty and interest charge required by law for late payment. This is true whether the cause is Post Office error, a mistake in address information at the Treasurer's Office or any other such case. The law is clear that the taxpayer is required to know the due date, to determine the amount owed and to pay it on time, even when a bill is not received by the taxpayer.

Escrow Accounts with a Mortgage Company

If you maintain an escrow account with a mortgage company, your mortgage company remits payment for your real estate taxes. The bill that you receive from the Treasurer's Office should have stamped notification that the bill has been requested by a mortgage company. If this notification does not appear in the mid-section of your bill, forward the bill to the mortgage company immediately. You should also ask them to request, in writing, the bill from the Treasurer's Office for future billings. It is the mortgage company's responsibility to request a tax bill for payment of your taxes and the homeowner's responsibility to ensure that the taxes are paid on time.

If the mortgage company fails to make the request in time for the due date, a late penalty and interest will be added to any bill not paid by the due date. It should also be noted that even though it is preferable to have the original or a copy of the bill, it is not necessary for payment. Payment information, in the event that the due date is near, may be acquired over the telephone.

When You Purchase or Sell Real Property

Under Virginia law, real property is assessed for the entire year in the name of the owner as of July 1 of the year. The purchaser at a sale is required to see that the proceeds from the sale are applied at settlement to any taxes and levies assessed on the real estate. The liability is prorated between the buyer and the seller, but the lien which arises from a delinquency attaches to the land.

If you buy property, your settlement attorney must ascertain that all taxes due and prorates them for payment out of settlement. If you have sold the property referred to on the tax bill and another person has assumed responsibility for payment, please forward the bill promptly to that person or return it to the Treasurer's Office with information as to the new owner. A delay on your part in this regard may require the new owner to pay a penalty and interest on a late payment.

Changes in Address and/or Tax Billing Status

If there has been a change in your address or any other change pertaining to the tax billing status, contact the Commissioner of Revenue at (757) 868-3020 so that the record can be updated and the bill mailed to the correct address for future billings.