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1. What are Personal Property Taxes?

Personal Property Taxes are taxes which are assessed on cars, trucks, trailers, motorcycles, boats, campers, buses, mobile homes, motor homes and air craft. Taxes are assessed by the Commissioner of the Revenue. If you have questions regarding your assessment contact the Commissioner of the Revenue at 757-393-8779.

2. How do I know if I should be paying Personal Property Taxes?

Vehicles registered in Portsmouth or are showing garaged in Portsmouth with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles for more than 30 days are taxable, with the exception of those exempted by law. An example of an exemption would be active duty military non-resident (legal home of record is other than Virginia).

3. Do I have to pay Personal Property Taxes if I am active duty military?

The Service members Civil Relief Act (SCRA) sets forth that any person in the military service is except from taxation by all states except their home state. Vehicles registered in the name of the active military person only, are exempt. If a vehicle is jointly owned, and named is non-military, the vehicle is taxable.

The Military Spouses Residency Relief Act, effective November 11, 2009, amends the Service members Civil Relief Act. Spouses of active duty military members who have a vehicle titled in their names or jointly with the service member may be exempt from property tax if certain conditions are met. Contact the Commission of Revenue at 757-393-8779 for more information.

4. I am military and lease a vehicle. Am I taxable?

You may be exempt on the first $20,000.00 assessed value of the vehicle. Please contact the Commissioner of Revenue at 757-393-8779 for additional information.

5. I am a Disabled Veteran. Do I have to pay taxes?

If you are 100% service connected disabled you may qualify for the exemption. Please Contact the Commissioner of Revenue at 757-393-8779 for additional information.

6. I sold my vehicle. What do I have to do?

You must notify the Department of Motor Vehicles at 800-435-5137and the Commissioner of Revenue at 757-393-8779.

7. What if I am unable to pay my tax bill in full by the due date?

Visit or contact the Treasurer’s Office at  757-393-8651 or send email to [email protected]. They will work with you and set up a payment agreement for paying your taxes within a reasonable time period. An agreement will not relieve the penalties and interest but may delay any legal collections.

8. I paid tax when I purchased my vehicle. Wasn’t that personal property tax?

No, taxes paid at the time of sale were sales and titling taxes and maybe registration fees. Personal property tax is paid to the city in which the vehicle is registered on a bill that identifies the city.

9. I only owned my car in Portsmouth less than a month why do I still have a tax bill?

Portsmouth pro-rates its tax bills, it bills for any portion of the year that you had the vehicle registered in Portsmouth.

10. My wife and I are divorced why am I being taxed for her car?

If you are on a title with someone else you are equally responsible for that bill.

11. Who determines the the personal property tax rate?

All tax rates and or fees are set by the Portsmouth City Council.

12. I don’t own this car any longer, should I be responsible for the tax?

If the Commissioner of Revenue has determined through DMV records that you had your vehicle registered in Portsmouth for any time during the billing period you are responsible for the tax.

13. I haven’t lived in Portsmouth in years why am I getting a tax bill?

When you left Portsmouth you probably failed to notify DMV and your vehicle remained on the tax roles.

14. I cosigned for my sister to buy a car am I responsible for the tax?

If the co-owner fails to pay the taxes you will be responsible for any and all remaining taxes due.

15. I tried to register my car at DMV but was told there is a stop from the City of Portsmouth, how do I have this removed?

The Vehicle Withhold Registration Stop is probably due to taxes owed in which case the Treasurer’s office has placed a stop with DMV which prevents you from registering your car.