Virginia Law

Article 1.01. Alternative Tax Rates for Elderly and Handicapped.

The governing body of any locality may, by ordinance, levy a tax on one motor vehicle owned and used primarily by or for anyone at least 65 years of age or anyone found to be permanently and totally disabled, as defined in § 58.1-3506.3, at a different rate from the tax levied on other tangible personal property, upon such conditions as the ordinance may prescribe. Such rate shall not exceed the tangible personal property tax on the general class of tangible personal property. For purposes of this article, the term motor vehicle shall include only automobiles and pickup trucks. Any such motor vehicle owned by married individuals may qualify if either spouse is 65 or over or if either spouse is permanently and totally disabled. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section or article, for any automobile or pickup truck that is (i) a qualifying vehicle, as such term is defined in § 58.1-3523, and (ii) assessed for tangible personal property taxes by a county, city, or town receiving a payment from the Commonwealth under Chapter 35.1 (§ 58.1-3523 et seq.) for providing tangible personal property tax relief, the rate of tax levied pursuant to this article shall not exceed the rates of tax and rates of assessment required under such chapter.

1991, c. 646; 2004, Sp. Sess. I, c. 1; 2020, c. 900; 2023, cc. 148, 149.

Any difference in the rates for purposes of this section shall be subject to the following restrictions and conditions:

1. The total combined income received, excluding the first $7,500 of income, at the option of the local government, from all sources during the preceding calendar year by the owner of the motor vehicle shall not exceed the greater of $30,000 or the income limits based on family size for the respective metropolitan statistical area, annually published by the Department of Housing and Urban Development for qualifying for federal housing assistance pursuant to § 235 of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. § 1715z).

2. The owner's net financial worth, including the present value of all equitable interests, as of December 31 of the immediately preceding calendar year, excluding the value of the principal residence and the land, not exceeding one acre, upon which it is situated, shall not exceed $75,000. The local government may also exclude such furnishings as furniture, household appliances and other items typically used in a home.

3. Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivisions 1 and 2, in Fairfax County and any town adjacent thereto, Arlington County, Chesterfield County, Loudoun County, and Prince William County, or the Cities of Alexandria, Chesapeake, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, Manassas Park, Portsmouth, Suffolk or Virginia Beach, or the Town of Leesburg, the board of supervisors or council may, by ordinance, raise the income and financial worth limitations for any reductions under this article to a maximum of the greater of $52,000 or the income limits based upon family size for the respective metropolitan statistical area, published annually by the Department of Housing and Urban Development for qualifying for federal housing assistance pursuant to § 235 of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. § 1715z), for the total combined income amount, and $195,000 for the maximum net financial worth amount which shall exclude the value of the principal residence and the land, not exceeding one acre, upon which it is located.

4. All income and net worth limitations shall be computed by aggregating the income and assets, as the case may be, of married individuals who reside in the same dwelling and shall be applied to any owner of the motor vehicle who seeks the benefit of the preferential tax rate permitted under this article, irrespective of how such motor vehicle may be titled.

1991, c. 646; 1998, c. 361; 2007, c. 813; 2020, c. 900.

For purposes of this article, the term "permanently and totally disabled" means unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment or deformity which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for the duration of such person's life; however, a certification pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 423 (d) by the Social Security Administration, so long as the person remains eligible for such Social Security benefits, shall be deemed to satisfy such definition in this section.

1991, c. 646.

Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivisions 1, 2, and 3 of § 58.1-3506.2, the governing body of a county, city or town may by ordinance specify lower income and financial worth figures. The governing body also may prescribe by ordinance for a maximum amount of tax relief hereunder based on the assessed value of the motor vehicle or a formula which takes into account the income and financial worth levels of the individual seeking the benefit of the preferential tax rate. The Department of Taxation shall develop a model ordinance to assist local governments with the implementation and enforcement of this article.

1991, c. 646.

A. The person applying under this article shall file annually with the commissioner of the revenue of the county, city or town assessing officer, or such other officer as may be designated by the governing body, on forms to be supplied by the county, city or town concerned, an affidavit setting forth that the total combined net worth, including equitable interests and the combined income from all sources, of the persons specified in § 58.1-3506.2 does not exceed the limits prescribed in such ordinance.

B. In lieu of the annual affidavit filing requirement, a county, city or town may prescribe by ordinance for the filing of the affidavit on a three-year cycle with an annual certification by the taxpayer that no information contained on the last preceding affidavit filed has changed to violate the limitations and conditions provided herein.

C. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections A, B, and E of this section, any county, city or town may, by local ordinance, prescribe (i) the content of the affidavit described in subsection A, subject to the requirements established in § 58.1-3506.2, and (ii) the frequency with which an affidavit, or certification as described in subsection B of this section must be filed, and may include a procedure for late filing of affidavits.

D. If such person is under sixty-five years of age, the form shall have attached thereto a certification by the Social Security Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Railroad Retirement Board or, if such person is not eligible for certification by any of these agencies, a sworn affidavit by two medical doctors who are either licensed to practice medicine in the Commonwealth or are military officers on active duty who practice medicine with the United States Armed Forces, to the effect that the person is permanently and totally disabled, as defined in § 58.1-3506.3. The affidavit of at least one of the doctors shall be based upon a physical examination of the person by the doctor. The affidavit of one of the doctors may be based upon medical information contained in the records of the Civil Service Commission which is relevant to the standards for determining permanent and total disability as defined in § 58.1-3506.3.

E. Such affidavit or certification shall be filed after January 1 of each year, but before April 1, or such later date as may be fixed by ordinance. Such ordinance may include a procedure for late filing by first-time applicants or for hardship cases.

F. The commissioner of the revenue or town assessing officer, or another officer designated by the governing body of the county, city or town, shall also make any other reasonably necessary inquiry of persons applying under this article, requiring answers under oath, to determine qualifications as specified herein, including qualification as permanently and totally disabled as defined in § 58.1-3506.3, or as specified by county, city or town ordinance. The local governing body may, in addition, require the production of certified tax returns to establish the income or financial worth of any applicant for tax relief.

1991, c. 646.

The treasurer of any county, city, or town shall enclose written notice, in each tangible personal property tax bill, of the terms and conditions of any local tangible personal property tax relief program established in the jurisdiction pursuant to § 58.1-3506.1. The treasurer shall also employ any other reasonable means necessary to notify residents of the county, city, or town about the terms and conditions of the tangible personal property tax relief program for elderly individuals and individuals with disabilities who reside in the county, city, or town.

1991, c. 646; 2004, Sp. Sess. I, c. 1; 2020, c. 900; 2023, cc. 148, 149.

A reclassification enacted pursuant to § 58.1-3506.1 may be granted for any year following the date that the qualifying individual reaches the age of sixty-five years or for any year following the date the disability occurred. Changes in income, financial worth, ownership of property or other factors occurring during the taxable year for which an affidavit is filed and having the effect of exceeding or violating the limitations and conditions provided herein or by county, city or town ordinance shall nullify any preferential tax rate for the remainder of the current taxable year and the taxable year immediately following. However, any locality may by ordinance provide a prorated preferential tax rate for the portion of the taxable year during which the taxpayer qualified for such rate.

1991, c. 646.

Repealed by Acts 2022, c. 294, cl. 2.