Virginia Law

Article 1. Collection of State Taxes.

The treasurer of each county and city shall receive the state revenue payable into the treasury of his locality. Taxpayers shall make checks payable to "Treasurer (or title of other officer or employee who performs the duties of a treasurer) of (name of political subdivision)" or "(name of political subdivision)". The treasurer of each county and city shall, not later than August 1 of each year, make a list of the intangible personal property taxes which he is unable to collect. Such list shall conform to the facts as they existed on June 30 of the year, and shall be in the form, and accompanied by the oath, prescribed by the Department of Taxation.

Code 1950, §§ 58-958, 58-978, 58-979; 1956, c. 69; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 12; 1974, c. 80; 1977, c. 507; 1979, c. 240; 1984, c. 675; 2002, c. 139.

A copy of the list of delinquent intangible personal property shall be transmitted by the treasurer to the Department of Taxation. Upon the receipt and auditing of the list, the Department of Taxation shall certify to the Comptroller the necessary information to enable him to give such treasurer proper credit therefor on his books, and such treasurer shall not receive any of such taxes thereafter, but the same shall be paid directly into the state treasury.

The Department of Taxation shall have power to collect such intangible personal property taxes by any process authorized for the collection of state taxes.

Code 1950, § 58-988; 1950, p. 945; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 12; 1984, c. 675.

The Comptroller and the Department of Taxation shall keep delinquent state taxes on the books until the Tax Commissioner determines that they should be charged off, except that taxes and registration fees assessed by the State Corporation Commission shall be charged off upon advice from the Commission. The Tax Commissioner shall notify the Comptroller periodically of the taxes, penalties and interest so charged off in such detail and at such times as the Comptroller may require, and shall maintain records which indicate the reason for the charge-off for a period of three years.

Code 1950, § 58-996; 1975, c. 146; 1984, c. 675.

A. Where the assessment of any tax imposed by this subtitle has been made within the period of limitation properly applicable thereto, such tax may be collected by levy, by a proceeding in court, or by any other means available to the Tax Commissioner under the laws of the Commonwealth, but only if such collection effort is made or instituted within seven years from the date of the assessment of such tax. Except as otherwise provided in this section, effective for assessments made on and after July 1, 2016, all collection efforts shall cease after such seven-year period even if initiated during the seven-year period. Prior to the expiration of any period for collection, the period may be extended by a written agreement between the Tax Commissioner and the taxpayer, and subsequent written agreements may likewise extend the period previously agreed upon. The period of limitations provided in this subsection during which a tax may be collected shall not apply to executions, levy or other actions to enforce a lien created before the expiration of the period of limitations by the docketing of a judgment or the filing of a memorandum of lien pursuant to § 58.1-1805; nor shall the period of limitations apply to the provisions of §§ 8.01-251 and 8.01-458.

B. The running of the period of limitations on collection shall be suspended for (i) the period the assessment is the subject of a proceeding pursuant to § 58.1-1807, 58.1-1821, 58.1-1825, or 58.1-1828; (ii) the period the assets of the taxpayer are in the control or custody of any state or federal court, including the United States Bankruptcy Court; or (iii) the period that an installment agreement entered into by the taxpayer pursuant to § 58.1-1817 is in effect.

C. If the Department of Taxation has no contact with the delinquent taxpayer for a period of six years and no memorandum of lien has been appropriately filed in a jurisdiction in which such taxpayer owns real estate, interest and penalty shall no longer be added to the delinquent tax liability. The mailing of notices by the Department to the taxpayer's last known address shall constitute contact with the taxpayer.

D. For purposes of this section, the "last known address" of the taxpayer means the address shown on the most recent return filed by or on behalf of the taxpayer or the address provided in correspondence by or on behalf of the taxpayer indicating that it is a change of the taxpayer's address.

E. In any pending or future administrative or judicial proceeding in which the validity of a tax assessment is an issue, the participation of the Department of Taxation in any capacity shall be considered a collection effort for purposes of this section.

1990, c. 659; 2010, c. 30; 2012, c. 840; 2016, c. 634; 2023, c. 265; 2024, Sp. Sess. I, c. 2.

A. For purposes of this section, "willfully" means voluntarily, knowingly, and intentionally violating a legal duty.

Taxpayers failing to file tax returns due pursuant to Chapter 3 (§ 58.1-300 et seq.) shall be requested to prepare and file all such returns except in instances where there is an indication that the taxpayer willfully failed to file the required return or returns, or if there is any other indication of fraud. All delinquent returns submitted by a taxpayer, whether upon his own initiative or at the request of the Department, shall be enforced pursuant to the provisions of subsection C and shall be accepted. However, when an indication that the taxpayer willfully failed to file the required return or if any other indication of fraud exists, the Department may refuse to accept such delinquent return submission in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth and guidelines developed pursuant to this section.

B. Where it is determined that required returns have not been filed when due, the extent to which compliance for prior years will be enforced shall be determined by reference to factors ensuring compliance and proper administration of staffing and other Department resources. Factors to be considered shall include, but are not limited to, the taxpayer's prior history of noncompliance, existence of income from illegal sources, effects upon voluntary compliance, anticipated revenue, and collectability, in relation to the time and effort required to determine tax due. The Department shall also consider any special circumstances existing in the case of a particular taxpayer, class of taxpayer, or industry, or which may be peculiar to the class of tax involved.

C. Subject to the provisions of subsection A, application of the criteria in subsection B shall result in enforcement by the Department of delinquency procedures for not more than six years of the taxpayer's returns. Enforcement beyond such period shall not be undertaken without prior approval of the applicable manager designated by the Tax Commissioner. However, the approval of such manager shall not be required if the nonfiling taxpayer voluntarily files returns beyond the established enforcement period. Such approval shall reference the facts of the taxpayer's case and detail the reasons why enforcement for the longer period is recommended.

D. The Department shall develop guidelines for the enforcement procedures provided by this section. Such guidelines shall be exempt from the provisions of the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.).

2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 413.

A. The Department of Taxation may appoint a collector in any county or city, including the treasurer thereof, to collect delinquent state taxes that were assessed at least 90 days previously therein, or elsewhere in the Commonwealth, and may allow him a reasonable compensation, to be agreed on before the service is commenced. Where the appointed collector is a local government treasurer, any actions taken pursuant to this section shall be considered part of the official duties of such treasurer.

B. The Department of Taxation may appoint collectors or contract with collection agencies to collect delinquent state taxes that were assessed at least 90 days previously and allow reasonable compensation for such services, to be agreed on before the service is commenced. Delinquent claims for state taxes may be assigned to collectors or collection agencies so designated for the purpose of litigation in the Department of Taxation's name and at the Department of Taxation's expense.

C. Such collectors who are attorneys-at-law shall have authority to institute actions at law or suits in equity for the recovery of state taxes. For the purpose of this section, the term "state taxes" shall include any penalty and interest and shall also include the local sales and use tax imposed under the authority of §§ 58.1-605 and 58.1-606 and any penalty and interest applicable thereto. Each collector so appointed or collection agency so contracted with shall give bond to the Commonwealth for the faithful performance of the duties placed upon him by this section, in a penalty to be fixed by the Tax Commissioner, in whose office the bond shall be filed. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any local government treasurer so appointed may collect any delinquent state taxes pursuant to the provisions of Article 2 (§ 58.1-3910 et seq.) of Chapter 39 of this title. Any county or city treasurer turning over delinquent tax tickets to any such collector in pursuance of orders issued by the Department of Taxation shall receive credit on the Comptroller's books for the amount so turned over.

D. There is hereby established a special fund in the state treasury to be known as the Contract Collector Fund, hereinafter referred to as the Fund. All moneys collected by collectors and collection agencies appointed by or under contract with the Department of Taxation pursuant to this section shall be placed in the Fund. Compensation of such collectors and collection agencies shall be paid out of the Fund on warrant of the Comptroller. The Comptroller shall transfer to the appropriate general, nongeneral, or local fund all moneys in the Fund in excess of that required to be paid to persons under contract, as determined by the Department, no later than June 30 each year.

Code 1950, § 58-997; 1984, c. 675; 1985, c. 464; 1994, c. 932; 1996, cc. 362, 391; 2004, c. 546; 2007, c. 750.

The Tax Commissioner may apply in writing to any person indebted to or having in his hands estate of a taxpayer for payment of any taxes assessed under § 58.1-313 or § 58.1-631, or of any taxes more than thirty days delinquent, out of such debt or estate. Payment by such person of such taxes, penalties and interest, either in whole or in part, shall entitle him to a credit against such debt or estate. The taxes, penalties and interest shall constitute a lien on the debt or estate due the taxpayer from the time the application is received. For each application served, the person applied to shall be entitled to a fee of twenty dollars which shall constitute a charge or credit against the debt to or estate of the taxpayer.

The Tax Commissioner shall send a copy of the application to the taxpayer, with a notice informing him of the remedies provided in this chapter.

If the person applied to does not pay so much as ought to be recovered out of such debt or estate, the Tax Commissioner shall procure a summons directing such person to appear before the appropriate court, where the proper payment may be enforced. Any person so summoned shall have the same rights of removal and appeal as are applicable to disputes among individuals.

Code 1950, § 58-1010; 1960, c. 573; 1983, c. 481; 1984, c. 675.

A. If any taxes or fees, including penalties and interest, assessed by the Department of Taxation in pursuance of law against any person, are not paid within thirty days after the same become due, the Tax Commissioner may file a memorandum of lien in the circuit court clerk's office of the county or city in which the taxpayer's place of business is located, or in which the taxpayer resides. If the taxpayer has no place of business or residence within the Commonwealth, such memorandum may be filed in the Circuit Court of the City of Richmond. A copy of such memorandum may also be filed in the clerk's office of all counties and cities in which the taxpayer owns real estate. Such memorandum shall be recorded in the judgment docket book and shall have the effect of a judgment in favor of the Commonwealth, to be enforced as provided in Article 19 (§ 8.01-196 et seq.) of Chapter 3 of Title 8.01, except that a writ of fieri facias may issue at any time after the memorandum is filed. The lien on real estate shall become effective at the time the memorandum is filed in the jurisdiction in which the real estate is located. No memorandum of lien shall be filed unless the taxpayer is first given ten or more days' prior notice of intent to file a lien; however, in those instances where the Tax Commissioner determines that the collection of any tax, penalties or interest required to be paid pursuant to law will be jeopardized by the provision of such notice, notification may be provided to the taxpayer concurrent with the filing of the memorandum of lien. Such notice shall be given to the taxpayer at his last known address. For purposes of this section, "last known address" means the address shown on the most recent return filed by or on behalf of the taxpayer or the address provided in correspondence by or on behalf of the taxpayer indicating that it is a change of the taxpayer's address.

B. Recordation of a memorandum of lien hereunder shall not affect the right to a refund or exoneration under this chapter, nor shall an application for correction of an erroneous assessment affect the power of the Tax Commissioner to collect the tax, except as specifically provided in this title.

C. If after filing a memorandum of lien as required by subsection A, the Tax Commissioner determines that it is in the best interest of the Commonwealth, the Tax Commissioner may place padlocks on the doors of any business enterprise that is delinquent in either filing or paying any tax owed to the Commonwealth, or both. He shall also post notices of distraint on each of the doors so padlocked. If after three business days, the tax deficiency has not been satisfied or satisfactory arrangements for payment made, the Tax Commissioner may cause a writ of fieri facias to be issued.

It shall be a Class 1 misdemeanor for anyone to enter the padlocked premises without prior approval of the Tax Commissioner.

In the event that the taxpayer against whom the distraint has been applied subsequently makes application for correction of the assessment under § 58.1-1821, the taxpayer shall have the right to post bond equaling the amount of the tax liability in lieu of payment until the application is acted upon.

The provisions of subsection C shall be enforceable only after the promulgation, by the Tax Commissioner, of regulations under the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.) setting forth the circumstances under which this subsection can be used.

D. A taxpayer may appeal to the Tax Commissioner after a memorandum of lien has been filed under this section if the taxpayer alleges an error in the filing of the lien. The Tax Commissioner shall make a determination of such an appeal within fourteen days. If the Tax Commissioner determines that the filing was erroneous, he shall issue a certificate of release of the lien within seven days after such determination is made.

Code 1950, §§ 58-41 to 58-43; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 155; 1984, c. 675; 1985, c. 221; 1989, cc. 629, 642; 1993, c. 384; 1996, c. 634.

The payment of any state taxes and the filing of returns may, in addition to the remedies provided in this chapter be enforced by action at law, suit in equity or by attachment in the same manner, to the same extent and with the same rights of appeal as now exist or may hereafter be provided by law for the enforcement of demands between individuals. The venue for any such proceeding under this section shall be as specified in subdivision 13 a of § 8.01-261. Such proceedings shall be instituted and conducted in the name of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Code 1950, §§ 58-44, 58-1014, 58-1016; 1954, c. 333; 1977, c. 624; 1981, c. 421; 1984, c. 675.

In any proceeding under § 58.1-1806 the court shall have the power to determine the proper taxes, and to enter an order requiring the taxpayer to file all returns and pay all taxes, penalties and interest with which upon a correct assessment he is chargeable for any year or years not barred by the statute of limitations at the time the proceedings were instituted. If any taxes of which collection is sought have been erroneously charged, the court may order exoneration thereof. Payment of any judgment or decree shall be enforced against the taxpayer in the same manner that it could be enforced in a proceeding between individuals.

Code 1950, §§ 58-44, 58-1017; 1984, c. 675.

When after the rendition of such a judgment or decree against a defendant it seems to the attorney having charge thereof that there may not be found within the Commonwealth sufficient property of the defendant out of which the same may be enforced, but that the same could be enforced in some other jurisdiction, he shall, with the concurrence of the Attorney General, institute in such foreign jurisdiction appropriate proceedings to enforce therein the payment of such judgment.

Code 1950, § 58-1018; 1984, c. 675.

Any court having jurisdiction over a creditor's bill, partition suit, condemnation suit, interpleader or other cause or action in which it is necessary to make the Commonwealth a party in order to determine the respective rights of two or more other adverse parties, shall have jurisdiction over the Commonwealth for the limited purposes of determining the validity of a tax lien of the Commonwealth, the amount of such lien, and the priority of such lien vis-a-vis other liens. Such court shall have no jurisdiction to determine the validity of the assessment secured by the lien. This section shall apply only if the pleadings clearly set forth the nature of the tax lien and service is properly made upon the Attorney General.

Code 1950, § 58-1010.1; 1972, c. 478; 1984, c. 675.

Reserved.

A. If the Tax Commissioner ascertains that any person has failed to make a proper return or to pay in full any proper tax, he shall assess the taxes prescribed by law, adding to the taxes so assessed the penalty prescribed by law, if any, for the failure to file a return (if a return was required by law but not filed within the time prescribed by law) and the penalty or penalties prescribed by law for the failure to pay the taxes and penalty or penalties within the time prescribed by law. If no penalty is so prescribed, he shall assess a penalty of five percent of the tax due, or if the failure to pay in full was fraudulent, a penalty of 100 percent of the tax due. In addition thereto, interest on the outstanding tax and penalty shall be charged at the rate established under § 58.1-15 for the period between the due date and the date of full payment.

Except as otherwise provided by law, the amount of tax shall be assessed within three years after the return was filed, whether such return was filed on or after the date prescribed, and no proceeding in court without assessment shall be begun for the collection of such tax after the expiration of such period. A return of tax filed before the last day prescribed by law for the timely filing thereof shall be considered as filed on the last day. A return of recordation tax shall be considered as having been filed on the date of recordation. If no return is filed, the tax may be assessed within six years of the date such return was due. If a false or fraudulent return is filed with intent to evade the payment of tax, an assessment may be made at any time.

Upon such assessment, the Department of Taxation shall send a bill therefor to the taxpayer and the taxes, penalties, and interest shall be remitted to the Department of Taxation within 30 days from the date of such bill. Effective January 1, 2023, such bill and notice of assessment shall identify the date the initial return or payment was received by the Department, any payment amounts received, and an explanation of the taxes, penalties, and interest related to such assessment on such taxpayer. If such taxes, penalties, and interest are not paid within such 30 days, interest at the rate provided herein shall accrue thereon from the date of such assessment until payment.

B. The Department of Taxation shall not assess penalty or interest on any assessment of tax for the recovery of an erroneous refund, provided that the tax is paid to the Department within 30 days from the date of the bill. If the tax is not remitted to the Department within 30 days from the date of such bill, interest at the rate provided herein shall accrue thereon from the date of such assessment until payment.

As used in this section, "erroneous refund" means any refund of tax resulting solely from an error by the Department of Taxation that results in the taxpayer receiving a refund to which the taxpayer is not entitled.

C. Upon the application of a taxpayer, if the Department determines that a taxpayer has erroneously remitted retail sales tax payments to the Department with respect to a transaction under § 58.1-610 and for which the Department has made a use tax assessment, and such taxpayer has not so requested, the Department shall apply the erroneously remitted retail sales tax proceeds to a use tax assessment of the taxpayer for the same transactions. To be eligible, the taxpayer shall provide evidence of the erroneously paid retail sales tax amount collected and remitted in each transaction. However, in no case shall any taxpayer apply for and receive the relief described in this subsection if he has previously applied for and received the relief described in this subsection, or in the case of a false or fraudulent action by the taxpayer with the intention of evading the tax.

Code 1950, §§ 58-1160, 58-1161, 58-1162; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 13; 1972, c. 721; 1973, c. 446; 1976, c. 456; 1977, c. 396; 1980, c. 663; 1984, c. 675; 1986, c. 39; 2022, c. 202; 2024, cc. 113, 128.

A. Any corporate, partnership or limited liability officer who willfully fails to pay, collect or truthfully account for and pay over any tax administered by the Department of Taxation, or willfully attempts in any manner to evade or defeat any such tax or the payment thereof, shall, in addition to other penalties provided by law, be liable to a penalty of the amount of the tax evaded, or not paid, collected or accounted for and paid over, to be assessed and collected in the same manner as such taxes are assessed and collected.

B. The term "corporate, partnership or limited liability officer" as used in this section means an officer or employee of a corporation, or a member, manager or employee of a partnership or limited liability company, who as such officer, employee, member or manager is under a duty to perform on behalf of the corporation, partnership or limited liability company the act in respect of which the violation occurs and who (1) had knowledge of the failure or attempt as set forth herein and (2) had authority to prevent such failure or attempt.

Code 1950, § 58-44.1; 1972, c. 363; 1984, c. 675; 1994, c. 800; 1998, c. 432.

A. Any corporate or partnership officer, as defined in § 58.1-1813, and any other person required by law or regulations made under authority thereof to make a return, keep any records or supply any information, for the purpose of the computation, assessment or collection of any state tax administered by the Department of Taxation, who willfully fails to make such returns, keep such records or supply such information, at the time or times required by law or regulations, shall, in addition to any other penalties provided by law, be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

B. Any person who willfully utilizes a device or software to falsify the electronic records of cash registers or other point-of-sale systems or otherwise manipulates transaction records that affect any state tax liability shall, in addition to any other penalties provided by law, be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

C. In addition to the criminal penalty provided in subsection B and any other civil or criminal penalty provided in this title, any person violating subsection B shall pay a civil penalty of $20,000, to be assessed and collected by the Department as other taxes are collected and deposited into the general fund.

Code 1950, § 58-44.1; 1972, c. 363; 1984, c. 675; 2014, cc. 723, 785.

Any corporate or partnership officer as defined in § 58.1-1813, or any other person required to collect, account for and pay over any sales, use or withholding tax, who willfully fails to collect or truthfully account for and pay over such tax, and any such officer or person who willfully evades or attempts to evade any such tax or the payment thereof, shall, in addition to any other penalties provided by law, be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Code 1950, § 58-44.1; 1972, c. 363; 1984, c. 675.

Any corporate or partnership officer as defined in § 58.1-1813, or any other person owning and operating a business, or a fiduciary operating or liquidating a business, who through two or more acts or omissions within a period of ninety days willfully fails to truthfully account for any state sales use or withholding tax totaling $1,000 or more collected from others with the intent not to pay over, shall, in addition to any other penalties provided by law, be guilty of a Class 6 felony. A prosecution under this section shall be commenced within five years next after the commission of the offense.

1992, c. 763.

A. 1. The Tax Commissioner is required to offer to enter into a written agreement with any taxpayer filing a return for taxes imposed under Article 2 (§ 58.1-320 et seq.) of Chapter 3 under which such taxpayer is allowed to satisfy his tax liability in installment payments over a payment period of up to five years on petition by the taxpayer, if the Tax Commissioner determines such an agreement will facilitate collection.

2. Except as identified in subdivision 1, the Tax Commissioner is authorized to enter into a written agreement with any taxpayer under which such taxpayer is allowed to satisfy his tax liability in installment payments, if the Tax Commissioner determines such an agreement will facilitate collection.

B. Except as otherwise provided in this section, any agreement entered into by the Tax Commissioner under subsection A shall remain in effect for the term of the agreement.

The Tax Commissioner may terminate any installment agreement if:

1. Information that the taxpayer provided prior to the date such agreement was entered into was inaccurate or incomplete; or

2. The Tax Commissioner determines that the collection of any tax to which an agreement relates is in jeopardy.

C. The Tax Commissioner may alter, modify, or terminate an installment agreement in the case of the failure of the taxpayer:

1. To pay any installment at the time it is due;

2. To pay any other tax liability at the time it is due; or

3. To file with the Department any required tax or information return during the time period such agreement is in effect.

D. The Tax Commissioner may alter, modify, or terminate an installment agreement under other exceptional circumstances as he deems appropriate.

1996, c. 634; 2023, c. 643.

As used in this section, "small business" means an independently owned and operated business that has been organized pursuant to Virginia law or maintains a principal place of business in Virginia and has 10 or fewer employees.

Any penalties related to taxes administered by the Department shall be waived for a small business during its first two years of operation, provided that such small business enters into an agreement pursuant to § 58.1-1817. However, the Department shall not be required to waive the penalty imposed by § 58.1-1816 or any civil penalties for the failure to remit state sales or withholding taxes.

2017, c. 718.

A taxpayer problem resolution program shall be available to taxpayers to facilitate the prompt review and resolution of taxpayer complaints and problems which have not been addressed or remedied through normal administrative proceedings or operational procedures and to assure that taxpayer rights are safeguarded and protected during the tax determination and collection processes.

The Tax Commissioner shall designate a taxpayers' rights advocate and adequate staff to administer the taxpayer problem resolution program.

The taxpayers' rights advocate may issue a taxpayer assistance order that suspends or stays actions or proposed actions by the Department when a taxpayer suffers or is about to suffer a significant hardship as a result of a tax determination, collection, or enforcement process. When determined to be necessary by the taxpayers' rights advocate, he may require a formal written request to be submitted by the taxpayer.

Relief or remedy may be granted by a taxpayer assistance order only as an extraordinary measure. The process shall not be used to contest the merits of a tax liability, or as a substitute for informal protest procedures, or normal administrative or judicial proceedings for the review of a tax assessment or collection action, or denial of refund.

The running of the period of limitations on an assessment shall be tolled from the date of a taxpayer's request for a taxpayer assistance order until either the date the request is denied or the date specified in the taxpayer assistance order, whichever is applicable.

1996, c. 634.

Reserved.