Virginia Law

A. As used in this chapter:

"Certificated motor vehicle carrier" means a common carrier by motor vehicle, as defined in § 46.2-2000, operating over regular routes under a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued by the Commission or issued on or after July 1, 1995, by the Department of Motor Vehicles. A transit company or bus company that is owned or operated directly or indirectly by a political subdivision of this Commonwealth shall not be deemed a "certificated motor vehicle carrier" for the purposes of this chapter and shall not be subject to the imposition of the tax imposed in § 58.1-2652, nor shall such transit company or bus company thereby be subject to the imposition of local property levies. A common carrier of property by motor vehicle shall not be deemed a "certificated motor vehicle carrier" for the purposes of this chapter and shall not be subject to the imposition of the tax imposed in § 58.1-2652, but shall be subject to the imposition of local property taxes.

"Cogenerator" means a qualifying cogenerator or qualifying small power producer within the meaning of regulations adopted by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in implementation of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (P.L. 95-617).

"Commission" means the State Corporation Commission which is hereby designated pursuant to Article X, Section 2 of the Constitution of Virginia as the central state agency responsible for the assessment of the real and personal property of all public service corporations, except those public service corporations for which the Department of Taxation is so designated, upon which the Commonwealth levies a license tax measured by the gross receipts of such corporations. The State Corporation Commission shall also assess the property of each telephone or telegraph company, every public service corporation in the Commonwealth in the business of furnishing heat, light and power by means of electricity, and each electric supplier, as provided by this chapter.

"Department" means the Department of Taxation which is hereby designated pursuant to Article X, Section 2 of the Constitution of Virginia as the central state agency to assess the real and personal property of railroads and pipeline transmission companies as defined herein.

"Electric supplier" means any person owning or operating facilities for the generation, storage, transmission or distribution of electricity for sales, except any person owning or operating facilities with a designed generation or storage capacity of 25 megawatts or less.

"Energy storage system" means the same as that term is defined in § 58.1-3660.

"Estimated tax" means the amount of tax which a taxpayer estimates as being imposed by Article 2 (§ 58.1-2620 et seq.) of this chapter for the tax year as measured by the gross receipts received in the taxable year.

"Freight car company" includes every car trust, mercantile or other company or person not domiciled in this Commonwealth owning stock cars, furniture cars, fruit cars, tank cars or other similar cars. Such term shall not include a company operating a line as a railroad.

"Gross receipts" means the total of all revenue derived in the Commonwealth, including but not limited to income from the provision or performance of a service or the performance of incidental operations not necessarily associated with the particular service performed, without deductions for expenses or other adjustments. Such term shall not, however, include interest, dividends, investment income or receipts from the sale of real property or other assets except inventory of goods held for sale or resale.

"Pipeline distribution company" means a corporation, other than a pipeline transmission company, which transmits, by means of a pipeline, natural gas, manufactured gas or crude petroleum and the products or by-products thereof to a purchaser for purposes of furnishing heat or light.

"Pipeline transmission company" means a corporation authorized to transmit natural gas, manufactured gas or crude petroleum and the products or by-products thereof in the public service by means of a pipeline or pipelines from one point to another when such gas or petroleum is not for sale to an ultimate consumer for purposes of furnishing heat or light.

"Storage" means the storage of energy by an energy storage system.

"Tax Commissioner" means the chief executive officer of the Department of Taxation or his designee.

"Tax year" means the twelve-month period beginning on January 1 and ending on December 31 of the same calendar year, such year also being the tax assessment year or the year in which the tax levied under this chapter shall be paid.

"Taxable year" means the calendar year preceding the tax year, upon which the gross receipts are computed as a basis for the payment of the tax levied pursuant to this chapter.

"Telegraph company" means a corporation or person operating the apparatus necessary to communicate by telegraph.

"Telephone company" means a person holding a certificate of convenience and necessity granted by the State Corporation Commission authorizing telephone service; or a person authorized by the Federal Communications Commission to provide commercial mobile service as defined in § 332(d)(1) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, where such service includes cellular mobile radio communications services or broadband personal communications services; or a person holding a certificate issued pursuant to § 214 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, authorizing domestic telephone service and belonging to an affiliated group including a person holding a certificate of convenience and necessity granted by the State Corporation Commission authorizing telephone service. The term "affiliated group" has the meaning given in § 58.1-3700.1.

B. For purposes of this chapter the terms "license tax" and "franchise tax" shall be synonymous.

Code 1950, §§ 58-503, 58-503.1, 58-503.2, 58-508, 58-514.3, 58-514.4, 58-556, 58-626.1, 58-627; 1950, p. 660; 1954, c. 341; 1956, cc. 69, 475; 1968, c. 15; 1970, c. 32; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 45; 1974, c. 397; 1978, c. 62; 1979, c. 153; 1980, c. 649; 1982, c. 671; 1983, c. 570; 1984, c. 675; 1988, cc. 730, 899; 1995, c. 507; 1996, c. 381; 1998, c. 897; 1999, c. 971; 2002, cc. 443, 444; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 49, 50.

A. The commissioner of the revenue in each county and city in which a public service corporation or other person with property assessed pursuant to this chapter does business or owns property shall furnish, on or before January 1 in each year, to each such corporation or person, the boundaries of each city and the magisterial district of the county and of each town therein in which any part of the property of such corporation or person is situated. A copy of such boundaries shall also be forwarded to the clerk of the Commission and the Tax Commissioner.

B. Whenever any commissioner of the revenue shall fail to furnish to such corporation or other person, the clerk of the Commission and the Tax Commissioner, such boundaries required in subsection A, the clerk of the Commission and the Tax Commissioner shall notify the judge of the circuit court of the county and city of such commissioner of the revenue, and the judge shall instruct the grand jury at the next term of the circuit court to ascertain whether such boundaries have been furnished as required in this section. Should the grand jury ascertain that such boundaries have not been furnished, they shall find an indictment against the commissioner of the revenue. Upon conviction thereof, such commissioner of the revenue shall be guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor, each magisterial district and town boundary so omitted being a separate offense.

C. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A, whenever the boundaries have once been furnished to any public service corporation or other person with property assessed pursuant to this chapter, the Commission and the Tax Commissioner, the commissioner of the revenue shall thereafter not be required to furnish the boundaries except as shall be necessary to show subsequent changes in such boundaries.

Code 1950, § 58-510; 1972, c. 548; 1980, c. 84; 1983, c. 570; 1984, c. 675; 1999, c. 971.

The governing body of each county, city and town, receiving a copy of any assessment made by the Commission or the Department against property of a public service corporation or other person with property assessed pursuant to this chapter located in such county, city or town, shall forthwith review such assessments and determine whether they are accurate and notify the clerk of the Commission or the Department of any corrections thereto. Such governing bodies at their own expense may, when there is reason to doubt the correctness of the assessed length of any line, retain any surveyor in order to verify the assessment of the Commission or the Department.

Code 1950, § 58-511; 1972, c. 549; 1983, c. 570; 1984, c. 675; 1999, c. 971.

All county, district and city levies on the property of public service corporations or other persons with property assessed pursuant to this chapter shall be extended by the commissioner of the revenue for the county or city, and a copy of such extensions shall be certified and transmitted by the commissioner of the revenue to the treasurer of his county or city for collection. In each city which has a collector of city taxes, such copy shall be certified and transmitted to such collector of city taxes. Forms for use by the commissioners of the revenue under this section shall be prescribed and furnished by the Department.

Code 1950, § 58-512; 1984, c. 675; 1999, c. 971.

A. Except as otherwise provided in § 58.1-2609, the equalized assessed valuation of the property of any public service corporation or other person with property assessed pursuant to this chapter in any taxing district shall be made by application of the local assessment ratio prevailing in such taxing district for other real estate as most recently determined and published by the Department of Taxation.

B. On request of any local taxing district in connection with any reassessment of property, representatives of the State Corporation Commission and the Department shall consult with representatives of the district with regard to ascertainment and equalization of values to help assure uniformity of appraisals and assessments in accordance with the provisions of this section.

C. The Department of Taxation shall furnish to each county, city or town in which the property of public service corporations or other persons with property assessed pursuant to this chapter represents twenty-five percent or more of the total assessed value of real estate in such county, city or town, the local assessment ratio to be applied within that county, city or town no later than April 1 of the year for which it is applicable.

D. The Department of Taxation shall furnish to each county, city or town, by April 1 of each year, a description of the manner in which the local assessment ratio applicable to the county, city or town for the year was determined. The description furnished by the Department shall include, but not be limited to, a description of the parcels used, the time period from which sales transactions were drawn, the classification applied by the Department to any parcel or transaction, and any mathematical formulas used in calculating the local assessment ratio.

Code 1950, § 58-512.1; 1966, c. 541; 1975, c. 620; 1976, c. 687; 1977, c. 210; 1979, c. 160; 1983, c. 570; 1984, c. 675; 1993, c. 529; 1999, c. 971.

Repealed by Acts 2002, c. 502, effective January 1, 2003.

A. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section and §§ 58.1-2607 and 58.1-2690, all local taxes on the real estate and tangible personal property of public service corporations referred to in such sections and other persons with property assessed pursuant to this chapter shall be at the real estate rate applicable in the respective locality.

B. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing provisions, all aircraft, automobiles and trucks of such corporations and other persons shall be taxed at the same rate or rates applicable to other aircraft, automobiles and trucks in the respective locality.

C. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing provisions, generating equipment that is reported to the Commission by electric suppliers shall be taxed at a rate determined by the locality but shall not exceed the real estate rate applicable in the respective localities. However, generating equipment that is reported to the Commission by electric suppliers utilizing wind turbines, for which an initial interconnection request form has been filed with an electric utility or a regional transmission organization on or before July 1, 2020, may be taxed by the locality at a rate that exceeds the real estate rate by up to $0.20 per $100 of assessed value. All other generating equipment that is reported to the Commission by electric suppliers utilizing wind turbines may be taxed by the locality at a rate that exceeds the real estate rate but that does not exceed the general class of personal property tax rate applicable in the respective localities.

D. Notwithstanding the provisions of any of the foregoing provisions, no additional tax otherwise authorized under § 58.1-3221.3 shall be imposed by the counties of Isle of Wight, James City, and York and the cities of Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, and Williamsburg upon any real or tangible personal property of a public service corporation or electric supplier unless a final certificate of occupancy for a commercial or industrial use has been issued and remains in effect.

Code 1950, §§ 58-514.2, 58-605; 1966, c. 539; 1972, c. 813; 1975, c. 620; 1976, c. 687; 1984, c. 675; 1999, cc. 866, 971; 2004, c. 504; 2006, c. 517; 2008, c. 642; 2020, c. 508.

A. Notwithstanding clause (iv) of subsection C of § 58.1-3660, generating equipment of solar photovoltaic projects five megawatts or less shall be taxable by a locality, at a rate determined by such locality, but shall not exceed the real estate rate applicable in that locality, and notwithstanding subsection F of § 58.1-3660, the exemption shall be as follows: 80 percent of the assessed value in the first five years in service after commencement of commercial operation, 70 percent of the assessed value in the second five years in service, and 60 percent of the assessed value for all remaining years in service.

B. Notwithstanding clause (iii) of subsection B of § 58.1-2636, solar photovoltaic projects five megawatts or less shall not be exempt from the assessment of a revenue share by ordinance of that locality, as otherwise authorized pursuant to the provisions of § 58.1-2636. If a locality assesses a revenue share on solar photovoltaic projects five megawatts or less pursuant to this subsection, the exemption for such projects, as measured in alternating current (AC) generation capacity, shall, in lieu of the amounts specified in subsection A, be 100 percent of the assessed value.

C. Nothing herein shall be construed to authorize local taxation pursuant to this section, § 58.1-2636, or § 58.1-3660 of generating or storage equipment of solar photovoltaic projects that serve the electricity needs of that property upon which such solar facilities are located, as is provided in § 15.2-2288.7.

2022, cc. 492, 493.

A. Notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 58.1-2604 and 58.1-2606, and beginning with assessments initially effective January 1, 1980, all assessments of real estate and tangible personal property of railroads shall be made by application of the local assessment ratio prevailing in such taxing district for other real estate as determined or published by the Department, except that land and noncarrier property shall be assessed as provided in § 58.1-2609.

B. The real estate and tangible personal property (other than the rolling stock) of every railway company, but not its franchise, shall be assessed on the valuation fixed by the Department and shall be taxed by a county, city, town, and magisterial district at the real estate tax rate applicable in such respective locality.

Code 1950, §§ 58-514.2:2, 58-522; 1972, c. 813; 1978, c. 784; 1979, c. 160; 1983, c. 570; 1984, c. 675.

Every railway company or telecommunications company as defined in § 58.1-400.1 shall pay to the Commonwealth the income tax imposed by Chapter 3 of this title.

Nothing herein contained shall exempt such corporations from the intangible personal property tax levied under Chapter 11, the annual fee and the annual state registration fee on domestic corporations, both levied under § 13.1-775.1 or from assessment for street and other local improvements which shall be authorized by law, or from the county, city, town, or magisterial district levies hereinafter provided for.

Code 1950, § 58-519; 1964, c. 425; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 41; 1972, c. 813; 1976, c. 777; 1978, c. 784; 1984, c. 675; 1988, c. 899.

Whenever land and noncarrier and nonutility improvements of public service corporations and other persons with property assessed pursuant to this chapter are appraised for local taxation by comparison to the appraised values placed by local assessors on similar properties in the taxing district, they shall be assessed by application of the local stated ratio of assessments to appraisals, and taxed at the rate applicable to other real property in the taxing district. Such property is hereby defined as a separate item of taxation for such purpose and shall be identified as a separate class of property for local taxation.

Code 1950, § 58-514.2:3; 1979, c. 160; 1984, c. 675; 1999, c. 971.

Any person failing to make a report required under the provisions of this chapter within the time prescribed shall be liable to a penalty of $100 for each day such taxpayer is late in making such report. The State Corporation Commission or Tax Commissioner, as the case may be, may waive all or a part of such penalty for good cause.

Code 1950, §§ 58-514, 58-539, 58-625; 1978, c. 784; 1983, c. 570; 1984, c. 675; 1999, c. 971.

A. Any person failing to pay the tax levied pursuant to this chapter into the state treasury within the time prescribed by law shall incur a penalty thereon of ten percent, which shall be added to the amount of the tax due.

B. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A, such penalty shall not accrue in any case unless the State Corporation Commission or the Department, as the case may be, mails the person a certified copy of the assessment on or before May 15 preceding. In the event such copy is not mailed on or before May 15 preceding, the penalty for nonpayment in time shall not accrue until the close of the fifteenth day next following the mailing of such certified copy of the assessment.

Code 1950, §§ 58-514.1, 58-537, 58-561, 58-587, 58-601, 58-614, 58-626; 1956, c. 495; 1972, c. 813; 1983, c. 570; 1984, c. 675; 1999, c. 971.

All the taxes and levies provided for in this chapter shall, until paid, be a lien upon the property within the Commonwealth of the corporation owning the same and take precedence over all other liens or encumbrances.

Code 1950, §§ 58-536, 58-599, 58-615; 1984, c. 675.

The license tax levied pursuant to this article shall be paid annually for each tax year based upon the gross receipts received during the taxable year.

Code 1950, § 58-503.2; 1979, c. 153; 1984, c. 675.

Repealed by 1988, c. 899, effective for tax years 1990 and after.

A. Every corporation doing in the Commonwealth the business of furnishing water, heat, light or power, whether by means of gas or steam, except (i) a pipeline transmission company taxed pursuant to § 58.1-2627.1, (ii) a pipeline distribution company as defined in § 58.1-2600 and a gas utility and a gas supplier as defined in § 58.1-400.2, or (iii) an electric supplier as defined in § 58.1-400.2, shall, for the privilege of doing business within the Commonwealth, pay to the Commonwealth for each tax year an annual license tax equal to two percent of its gross receipts, actually received, from all sources.

B. The state license tax provided in subsection A shall be (i) in lieu of all other state license or franchise taxes on such corporation, and (ii) in lieu of any tax upon the shares of stock issued by it.

C. Nothing herein contained shall exempt such corporation from motor vehicle license taxes, motor vehicle fuel taxes, fees required by § 13.1-775.1 or from assessments for street and other local improvements, which shall be authorized by law, nor from the county, city, town, district or road levies.

D. Nothing herein contained shall annul or interfere with any contract or agreement by ordinance between such corporations and cities and towns as to compensation for the use of the streets or alleys by such corporations.

Code 1950, § 58-603; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 41; 1972, c. 858; 1976, c. 778; 1978, c. 786; 1980, c. 668; 1982, c. 633; 1984, c. 675; 1985, c. 31; 1987, cc. 320, 364; 1999, c. 971; 2000, cc. 691, 706.

A. For the tax years beginning on and after January 1, 1988, but before January 1, 2022, every corporation in the Commonwealth doing the business of furnishing water, heat, light, or power to the Commonwealth or its citizens, whether by means of electricity, gas, or steam shall be allowed a credit against the tax imposed by § 58.1-2626 in the following amount: $1 per ton for each ton of coal purchased and consumed by such corporation in excess of the number of tons of Virginia coal purchased by such corporation in 1985, provided such coal was mined in Virginia as certified by the producer of such coal. This credit shall be prorated equally against the corporation's estimated payments made in September and December and the final payment.

B. For tax years beginning on and after January 1, 1989, but before January 1, 2022, every corporation in the Commonwealth doing the business of furnishing water, heat, light, or power to the Commonwealth or its citizens, whether by means of electricity, gas, or steam shall be allowed additional credit against the tax imposed by § 58.1-2626 in the following amount: $1 per ton for each ton of coal purchased and consumed by such corporation, provided such coal was mined in Virginia as certified by such seller. The credit shall be prorated equally against the corporation's estimated payments made in September and December and the final payment.

1986, c. 450; 1989, c. 429; 2000, c. 929; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 553, 554.

There shall be deducted from the gross receipts of any corporation engaged in the business of furnishing heat, light or power by means of gas, revenues billed on behalf of another person to the extent such revenues are later paid over to or settled with that person.

Code 1950, § 58-603; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 41; 1972, c. 858; 1976, c. 778; 1978, c. 786; 1980, c. 668; 1982, c. 633; 1984, c. 675; 1986, c. 243; 1993, c. 522; 1998, c. 197; 1999, c. 971.

A. Every pipeline transmission company shall pay to the Department on its allocated and apportioned net taxable income, in lieu of a license tax, the tax levied pursuant to Chapter 3 (§ 58.1-300 et seq.) (State Income Tax) of this title. There shall be deducted from such allocated and apportioned net income an amount equal to the percentage that gross profit (operating revenues less cost of purchased gas) derived from sales in this Commonwealth for consumption by the purchaser of natural or manufactured gas is of the total gross profit in the Commonwealth of the taxpayer.

B. The annual report of such company required pursuant to § 58.1-2628 shall be made to the Department, on forms prepared and furnished by the Department, if the company is a pipeline transmission company or to the Commission if a pipeline distribution company. The Department shall assess the value of the property of each pipeline transmission company and the Commission shall assess the value of the property of each pipeline distribution company. The applicable county, city, town and magisterial district property levies shall attach thereto. The powers and duties granted to the Commission by §§ 58.1-2633 B and C and 58.1-2634 shall apply mutatis mutandis to the Department.

C. A company liable for the license tax under subsection A shall not be liable for the tax imposed by Chapter 28 (§ 58.1-2814 et seq.) of this title.

D. When a company qualifies as both a pipeline transmission company and a pipeline distribution company, it shall for property tax valuation purposes be considered a pipeline distribution company.

Code 1950, §§ 58-588, 58-590, 58-597; 1956, c. 69; 1964, c. 217; 1968, c. 637; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 1; 1972, c. 813; 1980, cc. 82, 371; 1983, c. 570; 1984, c. 675; 2000, cc. 691, 706.

A. Each telegraph company and telephone company shall report annually, on April 15, to the Commission all real and tangible personal property of every description in the Commonwealth, owned, operated or used by it, except leased automobiles, leased trucks or leased real estate, as of January 1 preceding, showing particularly the county, city, town or magisterial district wherein such property is located.

The report shall also show the total gross receipts for the 12 months ending December 31 next preceding and the interstate revenue, if any, attributable to the Commonwealth. Such revenue shall include all interstate revenue from business originating and terminating within the Commonwealth and a proportion of interstate revenue from all interstate business passing through, into or out of the Commonwealth.

B. Every corporation doing in the Commonwealth the business of furnishing water, heat, light and power, whether by means of gas or steam, except (i) pipeline transmission companies taxed pursuant to § 58.1-2627.1 or (ii) an electric supplier as defined in § 58.1-400.2, shall report annually, on April 15, to the Commission all real and tangible personal property of every description in the Commonwealth, belonging to it as of January 1 preceding, showing particularly, as to property owned by it, the county, city, town or magisterial district wherein such property is located. The report shall also show the total gross receipts for the 12 months ending December 31 next preceding.

C. Every corporation in the Commonwealth in the business of furnishing heat, light and power by means of electricity shall report annually, on April 15, to the Commission all real and tangible personal property of every description in the Commonwealth, belonging to such corporation, leased by such corporation for a term greater than one year, or operated by such corporation as of the preceding January 1, showing particularly the county, city, town or magisterial district in which such property is located, unless reported to the Commission by another corporation or electric supplier in the Commonwealth in the business of furnishing heat, light and power by means of electricity. Real and tangible personal property of every description in the Commonwealth leased by such corporation for a term greater than one year or operated by such corporation shall mean only those assets directly associated with production facilities and shall not mean real estate or vehicles. The report shall also show the total gross receipts less sales to federal, state and local governments for their own use. Electric suppliers organized as cooperatives shall report annually their gross receipts received from nonmembers.

D. Every electric supplier as defined in § 58.1-2600 shall report annually, on April 15, to the Commission all real and tangible personal property owned by such electric supplier, leased by such electric supplier for a term greater than one year, or operated by such electric supplier in the Commonwealth and used directly for the generation, storage, transmission, or distribution of electricity for sale as of the preceding January 1, showing particularly the county, city, town, or magisterial district in which such property is located, unless reported to the Commission by another corporation or electric supplier in the Commonwealth in the business of furnishing heat, light, and power by means of electricity. Real and tangible personal property of every description in the Commonwealth leased by such electric supplier for a term greater than one year or operated by such electric supplier shall mean only those assets directly associated with production facilities and shall not mean real estate or vehicles. The report shall also show the total gross receipts less sales to federal, state, and local governments for their own use. Electric suppliers organized as cooperatives shall report annually their gross receipts received from nonmembers.

E. Every pipeline transmission company shall report annually, on April 15, to the Department all of its real and tangible personal property of every description as of the beginning of January 1 preceding, showing particularly in what city, town or county and magisterial district therein the property is located.

F. The report required by subsections A through E shall be completed on forms prepared and furnished by the Commission. The Commission shall include on such forms such information as the Commission deems necessary for the proper administration of this chapter.

G. The report required by this section shall be certified by the oath of the president or other designated official of the corporation or person.

Code 1950, §§ 58-581, 58-607 through 58-609; 1956, c. 69; 1968, c. 637; 1972, c. 813; 1979, c. 284; 1984, c. 675; 1987, c. 376; 1988, c. 899; 1998, c. 197; 1999, c. 971; 2002, cc. 444, 502; 2004, cc. 661, 716; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 49, 50.

A. Companies or persons otherwise taxable under § 58.1-2626 but that begin business on or after the beginning of the tax year shall pay a license tax, the measure of which shall be an estimate of the gross receipts of such company or person for the year or for that part of the year in which it begins business. Such estimate shall be reported to the Commission on forms furnished by the Commission within thirty days after beginning business and the license tax measured thereby and assessed by the Commission shall be paid into the state treasury within thirty days after such assessment is made or by June 1 of the year if such assessment is made more than thirty days prior to June 1.

B. Any company or person subject to the provisions of subsection A shall, for the immediately following tax year, pay the license tax measured by an estimate of the gross receipts for the year beginning January 1 of the year following the year in which it began business. Such estimate of gross receipts shall be reported to the Commission within the time requirements prescribed by § 58.1-2628.

C. Every estimate made under this section shall be subject to review by the Commission after the close of the year for which such estimate is made and any variance between the estimate and the actual gross receipts shall be adjusted by the Commission by order of refund or the assessment of additional license tax depending upon whether such estimate was in excess of or less than the actual gross receipts of such taxpayer for such year.

Code 1950, §§ 58-504, 58-505; 1956, c. 69; 1984, c. 675; 1988, c. 899; 2002, c. 502.

A. Any taxpayer liable for a license tax required by this chapter or liable for the special regulatory revenue tax required by Article 6 (§ 58.1-2660 et seq.) of this chapter that acquires, by purchase or otherwise, the business or any part thereof of another taxpayer also liable for such taxes but which would not be otherwise subject to the taxes following such sale or disposition shall, for the purpose of determining the amount of its taxes for the year following the year in which such business was so acquired, include as a part of its gross receipts for the taxable years, the gross receipts of the business so acquired for that portion of the taxable year as such business was not operated by the acquiring taxpayer.

B. The provisions of subsection A shall not apply to any taxpayer whose license tax for the year involved is measured by an estimate of gross receipts for such year as prescribed in § 58.1-2629.

Code 1950, § 58-506; 1984, c. 675; 2002, c. 502.

Whenever there is a consolidation or merger of corporations taxable under § 58.1-2626 or taxable under Article 6 (§ 58.1-2660 et seq.) of this chapter, liability for the taxes shall attach to the corporation thus formed and the gross receipts which shall be used for measuring the license tax or special regulatory revenue tax of the corporation thus formed shall include the gross receipts of the corporations which were consolidated or merged.

Code 1950, § 58-507; 1984, c. 675; 1988, c. 899; 2002, c. 502.

All provisions of this article applicable to the license tax of any corporation subject to §§ 58.1-2629, 58.1-2630 or § 58.1-2631, including such provisions relating to the assessment, payment and collection of the tax and the method and time of reporting, except as may be otherwise provided, shall be applicable to the license tax of such corporation for the year covered by such sections.

Code 1950, § 58-509; 1984, c. 675.

A. The Commission shall assess the value of the reported property subject to local taxation of each telegraph, telephone, water, heat, light and power company and electric supplier, except a pipeline transmission company taxed pursuant to § 58.1-2627.1, and shall assess the license tax levied hereon if such company is subject to the license tax under this article.

B. Should any such person fail to make the reports required by this article on or before April 15 of each year, the Commission shall assess the value of the property of such person, and its gross receipts upon the best and most reliable information that can be obtained by the Commission.

C. In making such assessment, the Commission may require such person or its officers and employees to appear with such documents and papers as the Commission deems necessary.

Code 1950, §§ 58-582, 58-610; 1956, c. 69; 1968, c. 637; 1972, c. 813; 1984, c. 675; 1988, c. 899; 1999, c. 971.

A certified copy of the assessment made pursuant to § 58.1-2633, when made, shall be immediately forwarded by the clerk of the Commission to the Comptroller and to the president or other proper officer of each company, and to the governing body of each county, city and town wherein any property belonging to such company is situated and to each commissioner of the revenue.

The assessment shall show the type of property and its value and location.

Code 1950, §§ 58-583, 58-584, 58-592, 58-611, 58-612; 1968, c. 637; 1972, c. 813; 1983, c. 570; 1984, c. 675.

Every taxpayer assessed a license tax under any of the provisions of this article shall pay such tax into the state treasury by June 1 of each year.

Code 1950, §§ 58-586, 58-591, 58-613; 1956, c. 69; 1984, c. 675.

A. 1. Any locality may by ordinance assess a revenue share of (i) up to $1,400 per megawatt, as measured in alternating current (AC) generation capacity of the nameplate capacity of the facility based on submissions by the facility owner to the interconnecting utility, on any solar photovoltaic (electric energy) project, or (ii) up to $1,400 per megawatt, as measured in alternating current (AC) storage capacity, on any energy storage system.

2. Except as prohibited by subdivision 3, the maximum amount of the revenue share that may be imposed shall be increased on July 1, 2026, and every five years thereafter by 10 percent.

3. The provisions of subdivision 2 shall not apply to solar photovoltaic projects or energy storage systems for which an application has been filed with the locality, as defined by subsection D of § 58.1-3660, and such application has been approved by the locality prior to January 1, 2021. The provisions of subdivision 2 shall apply to all such projects and systems for which an application is approved by the locality on or after January 1, 2021.

B. For purposes of this section, "solar photovoltaic (electric energy) project" shall not include any project that is (i) described in § 56-594, 56-594.01, 56-594.02, or 56-594.2; (ii) 20 megawatts or less, as measured in alternating current (AC) generation capacity, for which an initial interconnection request form has been filed with an electric utility or a regional transmission organization on or before December 31, 2018; or (iii) five megawatts or less.

2020, cc. 1224, 1270; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 49, 50, 429.

Repealed by Acts 2017, c. 680, cl. 1, effective January 1, 2019.

A. The state tax on the rolling stock of a railroad, a freight car company and a certificated motor vehicle carrier, doing business in this Commonwealth shall be at the rate of $1 on each $100 of the assessed value thereof.

Rolling stock of a railroad or a freight car company shall include all locomotives, of whatever motive power, autocars, cars of every kind and description, and all other equipment determined by the Tax Commissioner to constitute rolling stock.

B. Such tax shall be paid by such company into the state treasury on or before June 1 of each year and shall be distributed in accordance with the provisions of §§ 58.1-2658 and 58.1-2658.1.

Code 1950, §§ 58-515, 58-530, 58-560, 58-622; 1956, c. 69; 1972, c. 813; 1978, c. 784; 1983, c. 570; 1984, c. 675; 1985, c. 557.

A. Every railroad shall report on or before April 15, to the Department, its real and tangible personal property, including real property used for common carrier purposes, of every description as of December 31 preceding and the county, city, town or magisterial district in which it is located. The lien of the Commonwealth or political subdivision thereof for taxes levied on such property for all purposes shall attach to such property on December 31 next preceding. The Department shall furnish each county, city, town or magisterial district a copy of the report of nonoperating (noncarrier) property pertaining to such locality.

B. Every freight car company shall, on or before April 15, report to the Department the aggregate number of miles traveled by its cars in the Commonwealth during the year ending December 31 next preceding and the average number of miles traveled per day by each class of car as established by the Tax Commissioner. Each railroad owning a line in the Commonwealth over which cars of a freight car company travel shall on its annual report show the total number of miles made by such cars during the year ending December 31 next preceding, the company name and aggregate number of miles traveled by cars thereof and the average number of miles traveled per day by each class of car during the year.

C. Each report shall be made on forms prescribed and furnished by the Tax Commissioner. Such forms may require any information necessary to enable the Department to properly ascertain the value of and assess such property.

D. Each report shall be verified by the oath of the president or other proper officer of such company.

Code 1950, §§ 58-524, 58-525, 58-528, 58-556, 58-557; 1956, c. 69; 1960, c. 346; 1964, c. 425; 1972, c. 813; 1983, c. 570; 1984, c. 675; 1985, c. 30; 1992, c. 388.

A. Every certificated motor vehicle carrier operating in the Commonwealth shall report annually on or before March 1 to the Commission:

1. All of its rolling stock, owned or operated as of January 1 next preceding,

2. The total vehicle miles traveled by the rolling stock of such carriers in the Commonwealth during the twelve months ending December 31 next preceding, and the

3. Total vehicle miles traveled by the rolling stock of such carriers both within and without the Commonwealth during the twelve months ending December 31 next preceding.

B. The report shall be made on forms prescribed and furnished by the Commission. Such forms may require any information necessary to enable the Commission to properly ascertain the value of and assess such property and to aid in the compliance and enforcement of this chapter.

C. The report shall be verified by the oath of the president or other proper officer of such company.

Code 1950, §§ 58-618, 58-619; 1984, c. 675; 1990, c. 483.

Every motor vehicle carrier failing to comply with § 58.1-2654 shall be subject to the imposition of a monetary penalty by the Commission as provided in § 58.1-2610.

In addition to imposing such monetary penalty, or without imposing such monetary penalty, the Commission may, in any such case, after notice and hearing, suspend or revoke any certificate, warrant, exemption card, registration card, stamp, classification plate, identification marker, or identifying number issued pursuant to Title 56.

1990, c. 483.

A. The Tax Commissioner shall annually assess for local taxation the value of the real and tangible personal property, including real property used for common carrier purposes, of each railroad, except for nonoperating (noncarrier) property which shall be assessed pursuant to § 58.1-3201, upon the best and most reliable information that can be procured, and to this end shall be authorized and empowered to send for persons and papers. The Tax Commissioner shall also assess upon the rolling stock of such railroads the taxes imposed by § 58.1-2652.

B. The Commission shall assess the average value of the rolling stock of each motor vehicle carrier used in the Commonwealth.

In the case of an interstate carrier, the rolling stock used in the Commonwealth shall be deemed to be that portion of the total rolling stock, owned or operated on the public highways of the Commonwealth, multiplied by a fraction wherein the numerator is the total vehicle miles traveled by such rolling stock in the Commonwealth and the denominator is the total vehicle miles traveled both within and without the Commonwealth on such operations as are related to the Commonwealth.

C. The Tax Commissioner shall assess, from the best and most reliable information that can be obtained, upon the rolling stock of a freight car company the taxes imposed by § 58.1-2652.

D. No local property taxes shall be imposed upon the rolling stock of a railroad or a freight car company.

Code 1950, §§ 58-529, 58-558, 58-620; 1972, c. 813; 1978, c. 784; 1983, c. 570; 1984, c. 675; 1985, c. 30; 1992, c. 388.

In making report of and assessment of the property included in the class described in § 58.1-2655, there shall be found for each railroad, for its main line or lines and for each branch line, for single and, where existing, double, triple and quadruple track and for sidetrack, the average value per mile in this Commonwealth of its track, track appurtenances and track structures, including cuts, fills, track surfacing, excavation, ballast, bridges, trestles and tunnels, but not including right-of-way lands or buildings or structures thereon other than track structures, or improvements required to be reported in other classes, and in any county, corporation or school district, the assessment of all property of such railroad included in the calculation of such average, as above provided, shall be the number of miles of its single, double, triple, quadruple or sidetrack therein, as the case may be, multiplied by the assessed average value thereof per mile. The assessed value of a railroad's track, track appurtenances and track structures in this Commonwealth shall be determined by multiplying the average of (i) the cost of such property recorded in the applicable Interstate Commerce Commission road accounts, less accumulated depreciation, and (ii) the depreciated basis of such property for federal income tax purposes by a fraction determined by dividing the railroad's track miles within the Commonwealth by its total track miles. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, in each of the tax years 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1996, the assessed value of a railroad's track, track appurtenances, and track structure in any county, city or town shall not be less than the 1992 assessed value therein of such property, excluding retirements.

Code 1950, § 58-532; 1984, c. 675; 1993, c. 22.

The Tax Commissioner shall furnish to the governing body of every county, city or town, to the commissioner of the revenue of every county and city wherein any property belonging to any railroad is situated and to the president of such railroad, a certified copy of the assessment of such company's property, which assessment shall show the type of property, and its value and location. The Tax Commissioner shall send a copy of the assessment made on each freight car company to the president thereof. A copy of the assessment made by the Commission on a certificated motor vehicle carrier shall be forwarded to the president of such carrier so assessed.

Code 1950, §§ 58-530, 58-538, 58-559, 58-621, 58-624, 58-681; 1954, c. 278; 1956, c. 69; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 192; 1972, c. 813; 1978, c. 784; 1980, c. 385; 1983, c. 570; 1984, c. 675.

The rolling stock tax of certificated motor vehicle carriers as provided in § 58.1-2652 shall be distributed to the counties, cities and incorporated towns of the Commonwealth in the following manner:

The Commission shall determine the proportion of the total vehicle miles operated by each carrier in this Commonwealth for each county, city and incorporated town. The fraction thus derived for each county, city and incorporated town shall be the measure of the total rolling stock tax assessed against such carrier to which the respective county, city and incorporated town shall be entitled.

The clerk of the Commission shall certify to the Comptroller the respective sums so allocated to the respective county, city and town and the Comptroller shall thereupon make payment to the treasurer or other proper fiscal officer of the locality the amount due them as certified by the Commission. When received by the respective local political subdivisions, these payments shall constitute and be regarded as receipts for the general purposes of local government.

No local property taxes shall be imposed upon the rolling stock of a certificated motor vehicle carrier.

Code 1950, § 58-623; 1984, c. 675.

The taxes assessed upon the rolling stock of railroads and freight car companies as provided in § 58.1-2652 shall be distributed in the following manner:

1. One-half shall be distributed to the counties, cities and incorporated towns of the Commonwealth in such percentage as the fair market value of roadway and track located in such county, city or town bears to the total fair market value of roadway and track in the Commonwealth.

2. One-half shall be distributed to the counties, cities and incorporated towns of the Commonwealth in such percentage as the miles of track located in such county, city or town bears to the total miles of track in the Commonwealth.

The Department shall determine the percentage of fair market value and of miles of track in the Commonwealth for each county, city and incorporated town to which it shall be entitled using the latest available information.

After ascertaining the amount of tax payable to each county, city and incorporated town, the Department shall certify to the Comptroller the respective sums to be paid and the Comptroller shall thereupon make payment to the treasurer or other proper fiscal officer of the localities the amounts respectively due them as certified by the Department. When received by the respective local political subdivisions, these payments shall constitute and be regarded as receipts for the general purpose of local government.

1985, c. 557.

No provision of this article shall have any application to any railway company doing business in this Commonwealth if such company is exempt by virtue of any provision of federal law from the payment of state and local taxes.

Code 1950, § 58-541.1; 1982, c. 62; 1984, c. 675.

A. In addition to any other taxes upon the subjects of taxation listed herein, there is hereby levied, subject to the provisions of § 58.1-2664, a special regulatory revenue tax equal to twenty-six hundredths of one percent of the gross receipts such person receives from business done within the Commonwealth upon:

1. Corporations furnishing water, heat, light or power, by means of gas or steam, except for electric suppliers, gas utilities, and gas suppliers as defined in § 58.1-400.2 and pipeline distribution companies as defined in § 58.1-2600;

2. Telegraph companies owning and operating a telegraph line apparatus necessary to communicate by telecommunications in the Commonwealth;

3. Telephone companies whose gross receipts from business done within the Commonwealth exceed $50,000 or a company, the majority of stock or other property of which is owned or controlled by another telephone company, whose gross receipts exceed the amount set forth herein;

4. The Virginia Pilots' Association;

5. Railroads, except those exempt by virtue of federal law from the payment of state taxes, subject to the provisions of § 58.1-2661;

6. Common carriers of passengers by motor vehicle, except urban and suburban bus lines, a majority of whose passengers use the buses for traveling a daily distance of not more than 40 miles measured one way between their place of work, school or recreation and their place of abode; and

7. Any county, city or town that obtains a certificate pursuant to § 56-265.4:4.

B. Notwithstanding the rate specified in subsection A, the maximum rate of the special regulatory revenue tax shall be increased above such specified rate to the extent necessary to permit the Commission to recover the additional costs incurred by the Commission in implementing subdivision B 4 of § 56-265.4:4 that cannot be recovered through the specified rate.

Code 1950, §§ 58-660 through 58-667; 1958, c. 157; 1970, c. 773; 1979, c. 443; 1980, c. 282; 1982, c. 62; 1983, c. 547; 1984, c. 675; 1988, c. 899; 1990, c. 146; 1996, c. 381; 1999, c. 971; 2000, cc. 691, 706; 2002, cc. 479, 489; 2003, c. 720; 2020, c. 697.

The amount of the regulatory revenue tax levied pursuant to § 58.1-2660 on railroads shall not exceed an estimate of the expenses to be incurred by the Commission and the Department reasonably attributable to the regulation and assessment for taxation of railroads, including a reasonable margin in the nature of a reserve fund.

Code 1950, § 58-664; 1970, c. 773; 1979, c. 443; 1980, c. 282; 1982, c. 62; 1983, c. 547; 1984, c. 675.

The special regulatory revenue tax levied pursuant to § 58.1-2660 shall be based upon the gross transportation receipts of each railroad for the year ending December 31 preceding, to be ascertained in the following manner:

1. When the road of the corporation lies wholly within the Commonwealth, the tax shall be based upon the entire gross transportation receipts of such corporation.

2. When the road of the corporation lies partly within and partly without the Commonwealth, or is operated as a part of a line or system extending beyond the Commonwealth, the tax shall be based upon the gross transportation receipts earned within the Commonwealth, to be determined by ascertaining the average gross transportation receipts per mile over its whole extent within and without the Commonwealth and multiplying the result by the number of miles operated within the Commonwealth. From the sum so ascertained there may be deducted a reasonable sum due to any excess of value of the terminal facilities or other similar advantages situated in other states over similar facilities or advantages situated in the Commonwealth.

Code 1950, § 58-664; 1970, c. 773; 1979, c. 443; 1980, c. 282; 1982, c. 62; 1983, c. 547; 1984, c. 675.

The special regulatory revenue tax on telephone and telegraph companies levied pursuant to § 58.1-2660 shall be based on gross receipts with the following deductions:

1. Revenue billed on behalf of another such telephone company or person to the extent such revenues are later paid over to or settled with that company or person;

2. Revenues received from a telephone company for providing to the company any of the following: (i) unbundled network facilities; (ii) completion, origination or interconnection of telephone calls with the taxpayer's network; (iii) transport of telephone calls over the taxpayer's network; or (iv) taxpayer's telephone services for resale;

3. Revenue received as the proportionate part of interstate revenue attributable to the Commonwealth;

4. Revenue received from a person providing video programming for the transport of video programming to an end-user subscriber's premises or for access to a video dialtone network; and

5. Revenue, other than from line charges, received from pay telephone service.

1988, c. 727; 1995, c. 751; 1998, c. 897.

The special regulatory revenue tax on companies furnishing water, heat, light or power levied pursuant to § 58.1-2660 shall be based on gross receipts with the exemptions allowed under § 58.1-2627.

1988, c. 727.

The taxes provided for by this article shall be assessed, determined and collected by the State Corporation Commission in the same manner and on such same dates as other state taxes on the same subjects of taxation are assessed, determined and collected under this chapter. Such taxes shall be paid into the state treasury for use in accordance with § 58.1-2665.

The regulatory revenue tax on the Virginia Pilots' Association shall be assessed, determined and collected by the Commission in the same manner in which the license taxes provided in Article 2 (§ 58.1-2620 et seq.) are assessed and collected on certain public utility companies.

Code 1950, §§ 58-667, 58-668; 1983, c. 570; 1984, c. 675.

The Commission shall, in the performance of its function and duty in assessing and levying the special regulatory revenue taxes provided for by this article, omit the assessment and levy of any portion of such taxes as are unnecessary within the Commission's sole discretion for the accomplishment of the objects for which the regulatory revenue taxes are imposed including a reasonable margin in the nature of a reserve fund. The Tax Commissioner shall annually certify to the Commission the amount needed to sufficiently compensate that department for its estimated incremental costs to be incurred in the discharge of its statutory duties to assess and collect state and local taxes against railroad corporations. The persons and corporations upon whom such taxes are imposed are relieved from liability for the payment of such regulatory revenue taxes, except when, and to the extent that, the same have been assessed and levied by the Commission, in accordance with the provisions of this article.

Code 1950, § 58-669; 1983, c. 570; 1984, c. 675.

The taxes paid into the state treasury under this article shall be deposited in a special fund to be used only by the Commission and by the Department of Taxation as provided in § 58.1-2664, for the purpose of making appraisals, assessments and collections against public service companies, and for the further purposes of the Commission in investigating and inspecting the properties or the service or services of such public service companies, and for the supervision and administration of all laws relative to such public service companies, whenever the same shall be deemed necessary by the Commission.

Code 1950, § 58-670; 1983, c. 570; 1984, c. 675.

Any taxpayer, the Commonwealth or any county, city or town aggrieved by any action of the Commission in the ascertainment of, or the assessment for taxation of, the value of any property of any corporation or company assessed by the Commission, or in the ascertainment of any tax upon any company or corporation of its property, at any time within three months after receiving a certified copy of such assessment of value or tax, may apply to the Commission for a review and correction of any specified item or items thereof after which date the Commission shall have no authority under this section or any other provision of law to receive any application or complaint concerning the assessment of value or tax. Such application shall be in a form prescribed by the Commission and shall set forth with reasonable certainty the item or items, of which a review and correction are sought, and the grounds of the complaint. The application shall also be verified by affidavit.

Any company or governmental entity aggrieved by any assessment for taxation of the value of any property by the Department of Taxation may apply to the Department or the Circuit Court of the City of Richmond, Division I, for correction of any such tax valuation or assessment, under Chapter 18 (§ 58.1-1800 et seq.) of this title. The Department and the court are hereby empowered to correct the valuation or assessment, and the requirement of such sections shall apply to corrections hereunder, mutatis mutandis.

Code 1950, § 58-672; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 46; 1983, c. 570; 1984, c. 675; 1990, c. 146; 2000, c. 368; 2005, c. 21.

A. Subject to the limitations provided herein, any county, city, or town or public service corporation or other entity whose property is assessed by the State Corporation Commission or the Department of Taxation aggrieved by the Department of Taxation's ascertainment of the applicable local assessment ratio prevailing for such taxing district as specified in subsection A of § 58.1-2604, may petition to the Circuit Court for the City of Richmond for correction of such ratio. Such petition must be filed within three months after the Department of Taxation gives notice of the applicable prevailing local assessment ratios to all counties, cities, towns, and to the Commission pursuant to subsection A of § 58.1-2604. This section shall apply only to counties, cities and towns in which a public service corporation's property represents twenty-five percent or more of the total assessed value of real estate in such county, city or town.

B. Any proceeding maintained under this section shall name the Department of Taxation and the applicable public service corporation, other entity whose property is assessed by the State Corporation Commission or the Department of Taxation, and the county, city or town which is the taxing district, as respondents. The action shall be conducted in accordance with the Rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia applicable to suits in equity, and no trial by jury will be permitted.

C. If the Circuit Court finds the local assessment ratio as ascertained by the Department of Taxation to be erroneous, it shall determine the correct local assessment ratio and shall order the Department of Taxation to adopt the corrected ratio as its prevailing local assessment ratio and provide such corrected ratio to the Commission in accordance with subsection A of § 58.1-2604.

D. If a suit is commenced by any party under this section, the period of time for any county, city, town or public service corporation or other entity whose property is assessed by the State Corporation Commission in which to file a petition with the Commission, pursuant to § 58.1-2670, challenging the ascertainment of, or the assessment for taxation of, the value of any property of any public service corporation assessed by the Commission, shall commence to run on the date of the final order entered by the Circuit Court or, in the event of an appeal, on the date of the final order of the Supreme Court of Virginia.

1993, c. 528.

Upon the filing of any such application, the Commission shall fix a time and place at which it will hear such testimony with reference thereto as any of the parties may desire to introduce and the applicant shall cause a copy of the application and notice of the time and place of the hearing to be served upon the company or corporation or the Commonwealth and each county, city and town whose revenue is, or may be, affected thereby, at least ten days prior to the day set for the hearing.

Code 1950, § 58-673; 1984, c. 675.

At any time within three months after a taxpayer receives the certified copy of any such assessment of value or tax, the Commission may of its own motion, after not less than ten days' notice to the taxpayer and to the Commonwealth and each county, city and town whose revenue is affected by the item or items to be reviewed and an opportunity given to such parties to introduce testimony with reference thereto, review and correct any specified item or items of such assessment of value or tax, as to which it may have cause to believe that an error may have been made.

Code 1950, § 58-674; 1984, c. 675.

If, from the evidence introduced at such hearing or its own investigations, the Commission is of opinion that the assessment or tax is excessive, it shall reduce the same or if it is insufficient, it shall increase the same. If the decision of the Commission is in favor of the taxpayer, in whole or in part, appropriate relief shall be granted, including the right to recover from the Commonwealth or local authorities, or both, as the case may be, any excess of taxes that may have been paid. The order of the Commission shall be enforced by mandamus, or other proper process, issuing from the Commission.

Code 1950, § 58-675; 1984, c. 675.

Notice of hearing before the Commission required to be served under this article upon the Commonwealth shall be served upon the officer of the Commonwealth charged with the duty of the collection of the state tax affected by the assessment of which correction is sought. It shall, however, only be necessary to serve notice upon the Commonwealth if the state revenue is affected by the assessment of which a correction is sought.

Code 1950, § 58-678; 1983, c. 570; 1984, c. 675.

Any telecommunications company or electric supplier aggrieved by any action of the Commission in the certification of gross receipts to the Department of Taxation as required by § 58.1-400.1 or § 58.1-400.3 may apply to the Commission for review and correction of any specified item or items of a certification. Such application shall be in a form prescribed by the Commission and shall be filed within 18 months of the date of the certification to the Department of Taxation after which date the Commission shall have no authority under this section or any other provision of law to receive any application or complaint concerning the certification. The Commission shall provide for notice to the Department of Taxation of any application. If, from the evidence introduced at any hearing on the application or its own investigation, the Commission finds that the certification is incorrect, it shall correct the certification to the Department of Taxation.

2000, c. 368; 2004, c. 716.

Any taxpayer, the Commonwealth or any county, city, or town aggrieved by any assessment or ascertainment of taxes by the Commission, after having proceeded before the Commission as provided in this article, may appeal from any final order or action of the Commission to the Supreme Court, as a matter of right, within the time and in the manner provided by law for appeals generally from the Commission to the Supreme Court.

Code 1950, § 58-679; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 46; 1983, c. 570; 1984, c. 675.

If the Supreme Court determines that the assessment or tax is excessive, it shall reduce the same or if it is insufficient, it shall increase the same. Unless the taxes so assessed or ascertained were paid under protest, when due, the Court, if it disallows the claim, on the appeal of the taxpayer, shall, in upholding the assessment, give judgment against such taxpayer for the taxes so assessed and ascertained and for a sum, by way of damages, equal to interest at the rate of one percent a month upon the amount of the taxes from the time the same were payable.

If the decision is in favor of the taxpayer, in whole or in part, appropriate relief shall be granted, including the right to recover any excess of taxes that have been paid, with legal interest thereon and with the costs incurred by such taxpayer, from the Commonwealth or local authorities, or both, as the case may be, the judgment to be enforceable by mandamus or other proper process issuing from the Court.

If the decision be in favor of the Commonwealth or of any county, city or town, appropriate relief shall be granted and enforced by mandamus or other proper process issuing from the Court.

The Court may, when deemed proper so to do, return the case to the Commission for further proceedings, either by way of hearing or for appropriate remedy.

Code 1950, § 58-680; 1984, c. 675.

Every public service corporation as defined in § 56-1 required to report to the Commission or the Department for the assessment of real or personal property in any county which has either a county executive form of county organization and government or a county manager form of county organization and government provided for in Chapter 5 (§ 15.2-500 et seq.) through Chapter 6 (§ 15.2-600 et seq.), or in Prince William, Augusta, or Gloucester County, whenever such property is subject to local taxation, shall include in such report a statement showing the character of the property and its value and particularly in what district or districts within, or partly within, such county such property is located.

For purposes of this section, "district" shall include a sanitary district, fire district and fire zone.

Code 1950, §§ 58-681, 58-684; 1954, c. 278; 1971, Ex. Sess., cc. 1, 192; 1980, c. 385; 1983, c. 570; 1984, c. 675.

When any such property is assessed by the Commission or the Department under the provisions of this article, the Commission or the Department, as the case may be, shall furnish to the board of supervisors or other governing body and to the commissioners of the revenue or person performing the duty of such officer, of each such county wherein such property is situated, a certified copy of the assessment made by such agency of such property or a certified copy of a statement of such assessment. The assessment, or statement thereof, shall definitely show the character of the property and its value and location for purposes of taxation in each district within, or partly within, such county, so that the proper district levies may be laid upon the same.

Code 1950, § 58-682; 1983, c. 570; 1984, c. 675.

The commissioner of the revenue, or person performing the duties of such officer, of any county set forth in § 58.1-2680 in which a public service corporation or other person with property assessed pursuant to this chapter owns property, shall furnish, in like manner as is provided in this chapter to the Commission, the Department and to each public service corporation or other person with property assessed pursuant to this chapter owning property in such county subject to local taxation, the boundaries of each district in such county in which any local tax is or may be levied.

Code 1950, § 58-683; 1983, c. 570; 1984, c. 675; 1999, c. 971.

The provisions of this article shall not affect any duties imposed upon public service corporations, the Commonwealth, Commission, Department, or any commissioner of the revenue, by any other provision of this chapter.

Code 1950, § 58-685; 1983, c. 570; 1984, c. 675.

A. Except as provided in this chapter, there shall be no state or local taxes assessed on the intangible personal property, gross receipts or other such money or income owned by telephone or telegraph companies, railroads, pipeline companies, or corporations furnishing water, heat, light and power by means of electricity, gas or steam.

B. On the real estate and tangible personal property of every incorporated telegraph and telephone company owning or operating telegraph or telephone lines in Virginia and of railroads, pipeline companies, or corporations furnishing water, heat, light and power by means of electricity, gas or steam, there shall be local levies at the rates prescribed by § 58.1-2606.

C. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A, any county, city or town may impose a license tax under § 58.1-3703 upon a corporation owning or operating telegraph or telephone lines in Virginia for the privilege of doing business therein, which shall not exceed one-half of one percent of the gross receipts of such business accruing to such corporation from such business in such county, city or town; however, charges for long distance telephone calls shall not be considered receipts of business in such county, city or town.

D. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A, any county, city or town may impose an excise tax under § 58.1-3818.3 upon a corporation owning or operating telegraph or telephone lines in Virginia, at a rate that shall not exceed the rate lawfully imposed by § 58.1-3818.3, on such corporation's gross receipts from sales of video programming or access to video programming directly to end-user subscribers who are located within such county, city or town.

Code 1950, §§ 58-518, 58-523, 58-578, 58-593, 58-596, 58-602, 58-606; 1968, c. 637; 1972, cc. 813, 858; 1978, c. 784; 1984, c. 675; 1995, c. 751.