The Personal Property Tax Relief Act of 1998

    The Personal Property Tax Relief Act of 1998 provides tax relief for any passenger car, motorcycle, or pickup or panel truck having a registered gross weight of less than 7,501 pounds.  The vehicle must be owned or leased by an individual and NOT used for business purposes.  A vehicle is considered to be used for business purposes if:

• More than 50% of the mileage for the year is used as a business expense for Federal Income Tax purposes OR reimbursed by an employer;

• More than 50% of the depreciation associated with the vehicle is deducted as a business expense for Federal Income Tax;

• The cost of the vehicle is expensed pursuant to Section 179 of the Internal Revenue Service Code; or

• The vehicle is leased by an individual and the leasing company pays the tax without reimbursement from the individual.

Vehicles qualified for tax relief are noted on your tax bill and show a reduction for the portion of the tax the Commonwealth will pay.  For qualified vehicles, your tax bill is reduced by the applicable tax relief percentage for the tax year on the first $20,000 of value.  Stafford County will be reimbursed by the Commonwealth for the amount of the reduction once you have paid the balance due shown on your bill.  If your qualifying vehicle's assessed value is $1,000 or less, your tax has been eliminated and the Commonwealth's share is 100%.  Tax relief is calculated using the locality's effective tax rate in effect on August 1, 1997. 

You are required to certify annually to Stafford County that your vehicle remains qualified to receive car tax relief.  Therefore, it is important that you review the information sent to you each year to be sure that your vehicles are properly qualified.  This information may be included on items such as personal property tax returns, decal applications, or tax bills.  If your vehicle is improperly qualified or you are uncertain whether your vehicle would be eligible for car tax relief because it is used part of the time for business purposes, contact the Stafford County Commissioner of the Revenue at (540)658-4132 or email to commrev@co.stafford.va.us.  When you display your Stafford County decal and pay your taxes on qualified vehicles, you are certifying that your vehicle has been qualified correctly.

How is my tax assessed?

The General Assembly capped the amount of tax relief allotted to localities.  Your tax bill is reduced by this allotment on the first $20,000 of value of your qualifying vehicle.  If your qualifying vehicle's NADA value is $1,000 or less, your tax is eliminated. 

Stafford County assesses at 40% of the NADA value.  A NADA value of $20,000 =$8,000 in county assessed value.  A NADA value of $1,000 = $400 in county assessed value.