James city county personal property tax

Definition

Virginia state code Section 58.1-3503 defines personal property as:

  • Aircraft
  • Automobiles
  • Boats
  • Manufactured homes
  • Motorcycles
  • Recreational vehicles
  • Trailers
  • Trucks

All personal property normally garaged in the city is subject to personal property taxes. Vehicles classified as an antique or vintage with permanent license plates issued as specified in Virginia State Code Section §46.2-730 are not subject to taxation.

Addresses

The Williamsburg mailing address encompasses three localities:

  • City of Williamsburg
  • James City County
  • York County

You may need to check the city street listing to see if your residence is/will be located within the city limits.

Rates

  • General rate is $3.50 per $100 of National Automobile Dealers Association average loan value or a percentage of cost
  • Tax bills are due on or before December 1st of each year
  • Taxes are assessed on personal property as of January 1st of each year

Personal Property Tax Relief Act

Personal property tax bills are due on or before December 1st of each year. The tax on the first $20,000 of value of your certified personal qualifying vehicle (car, motorcycle, pickup or panel truck under 7,501 pounds) is reduced by a percentage determined annually by City Council. This tax relief represents your portion of an annual block grant from the Commonwealth of Virginia. For qualifying vehicles valued at $1,000 or less, the obligation to pay this tax has been eliminated.

Special Assessments & Exceptions

Specially Equipped Motor Vehicles

Specially equipped motor vehicles used to provide transportation for handicapped individuals licensed with handicapped plates are exempted from personal property taxes. Documentation identifying the vehicle and the type of special equipment that has been installed must accompany the application. 

Disabled Veterans

At the August 9, 2018 City Council meeting, Ordinance Number 18-06 was proposed to Article II of Chapter 18 of the Williamsburg code in order to add a new section 18-30 to exempt one motor vehicle owned and used by any disabled veteran of the United States Armed Forces from personal property taxation. 

To qualify for this relief, you must meet the following definition of “disabled veteran” - any veteran of the United States Armed Forces who has either lost, or lost the use of, one or both legs, arms or hands, or who is blind, or who is permanently and totally disabled as certified by the Department of Veterans' Services. You will need to submit Personal Property Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans form (PDF), along with the required documentation. 

If you believe you may qualify for the Disabled Veteran personal property tax relief, please contact our office before remitting payment of your bill.

Military Spouse

Pursuant to the Service Members Civil Relief Act (SCRA), as amended by the Veterans Benefits and Transitions Act (VBTA), effective January 1, 2019, the spouse of an active duty service member may elect legal residence in another state, based on spouse's active military status. To claim this exemption, you will need to complete the Military Spouse Residency Affidavit for Tax Exemption (PDF), and submit with the required documentation.

In order to provide this relief, you will need to provide a written statement from the Department of Veterans' Services indicating that you have been designated or classified as “disabled veteran” per the definition above and that your disability is service connected.

Frequently Collected Fees

There are many fees and fines collected in James City County on a daily basis. Below is a list of fees most frequently paid. Please click on any that you would like to find out more information on:

  • Curbside Recycling
  • Dog Licenses
  • Landfill Coupon Books
  • Moving Violations and Parking Tickets

Ways to Pay

In an effort to identify options to make doing business with the County more convenient, the Treasurer has implemented a variety of payment methods.

  • ePayment - Pay your County bills online
  • Cash, check, money order in person at the Office of the Treasurer or Satellite Services.
  • Pay with credit or debit card over the phone. A convenience fee of 2.95% will be applied to all credit/debit card payments.
  • Drop boxes are located outside Building B and Satellite Services. Drop boxes are considered timely as of close of business on due date.

Postmark Requirements

We accept USPS postmarks and ePayment time stamps. 

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Due Dates

Taxes are due June 5 and Dec. 5 of each year.

Current Tax Rates

  1. Taxable Item  Current Rate 
    Airplanes $4
    Automobiles $4
    Boats (5 tons or more) $1
    Boats (5 tons or less) $3.50 
    Business Personal Property  $4 
    Manufactured Homes $0.83 
    Motor Homes $4
    Motorcycles $4 
    Real Estate  $0.83 
    Trailers $4

    *Rates are per $100 on assessed values.

  1. Historic Tax Rates

  2. Real Estate Taxes

  3. Tax Exemptions

  4. Tax Rates

Property Information

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Recycling

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How do I pay my personal property tax in James City County?

We accept cash, check, credit or debit cards. Payment can be made at the Government Center or Satellite Services, online or by telephone at 855-329-4498. A convenience fee will apply for all credit/debit card and e-check payments.

How do I avoid paying car tax in Virginia?

That said, you can't legally avoid paying car tax in Virginia. People have tried to avoid the car tax by registering their cars in different states or lying about their circumstances. However, doing so means you face fines of up to 25% of the initial tax rate with 5% interest each year it goes unpaid.

What is the property tax rate in James City County Virginia?

*Rates are per $100 on assessed values. ... Current Tax Rates..

How do I find out how much personal property tax I paid in Virginia?

How can I obtain information about personal property taxes? You can call the Personal Property Tax Division at (804) 501-4263 or visit the Department of Finance website .