1. Change in ownership due to purchase, acquisition, sale, trade or disposal.
2. Change in name or address of the person or persons owning or leasing the motor vehicle or trailer.
3. Change in the use of the motor vehicle or trailer from personal to business use or vice versa.
4. Any event or occurrence which causes a motor vehicle or trailer to acquire or lose situs of taxation.
5. Any other change affecting the assessment or levy of personal property tax on the motor vehicle or trailer for which a return was previously filed.

Tax Relief Certifications and signatures are required on every return and when a change to information is requested.

Personal Property taxes on motor vehicles are prorated on a monthly basis, while mobile homes are prorated on a quarterly basis.

Taxes are due in two installments: June 5^th and December 5^th.

For questions regarding assessments, please call the Commissioner of the Revenue at (757) 926-8657.

As of January 1, 2007, city decals are no longer required in Newport News. The Treasurer’s office will be assessing a Vehicle License Fee (VLF).

For questions regarding a bill, payment plan or Vehicle License Fee, please visit or contact the Office of the Treasurer.

Personal Property Tax Relief Act
The tax on the first $20,000 of the assessed value of your qualified personal property will be reduced for tax years 2006 and forward.

For qualifying vehicles valued at $1,000 or less, your obligation to pay this tax has been eliminated for tax years 2006 and forward.

Refer to Car Tax Relief qualifications.

As of September 1, 2006 reimbursement of personal property tax relief to the localities is no longer available from the Commonwealth of Virginia for tax year 2005 and all prior tax years.

How are Vehicles Assessed?
Assessments are based on the average loan value listed in N.A.D.A. (National Automobile Dealers Association) Official Used Car Guide. The minimum assessment is $200.

Who is Exempt?
Property solely titled to a non-resident active duty military member and is not used in a trade or business is tax exempt. However, in order to obtain tax exemption, a copy of the most current leave and earnings statement showing the name, social security number, state of residence and ETS or separation date is required. Non-resident NATO members and foreign military students are also exempt, upon filing a tax exemption letter from the appropriate agency each year.

Tax Rates
The Personal Property tax rates are set by City Council. Refer to the Personal Property tax rate schedule for current tax rates.


Associated Forms:

• Application for Personal Property (Mobile Home) Tax Relief for the Elderly and Disabled (Instructions Included) - 501 kB
• Veterans Certificate of Disability (Instructions Included) - 16 kB

If you sell or move a vehicle from Newport News, you must contact the Commissioner of the Revenue within 30 days so that you are no longer assessed personal property tax for the vehicle.

If the vehicle has been moved out of state, a written statement and a copy of your out-of-state registration is required.

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If you are required to file a state income tax return, the forms are available from the Commissioner of the Revenue. If you bring a copy of your completed federal tax return and your W-2 form(s) to either of our offices, we will prepare your Virginia individual income tax return at no cost to you.

An appointment is not required. The filing deadline is on or before May 1^st of each year.

Other Services available:

• Processing of accelerated refunds
• Preparation of prior-year Virginia tax returns
• Electronic filing of qualifying federal and state returns
• Timely processing of tax dues and estimated payments
• Information about the status of your return
• Assistance with correspondence from the Department of Taxation