Tax Relief
Real Estate
Exemption for the Elderly and Handicapped - Certain qualified individuals may be eligible for a tax exemption for real estate taxes.
You may be eligible if:
- You own and live on the property in James City County
- You are 65 years old or older by July 1 or you are permanently and totally disabled. Your disability must be verified by a letter from the Social Security Administration or the Veterans Administration or two letters from two qualified physicians stating your disability.
Other qualifications you must meet include:
- Total combined annual income of household members cannot exceed $45,000.00; provided, that the first $6,500.00 of income of each relative, other than spouse, or the owner of owners who are living in the dwelling shall not be included in such total. This income can include, but is not limited to social security payments, gifts, proceeds or insurance, welfare receipts, and benefits under the State supplemental retirement system.
- Total combined net worth such as stocks, bonds, bank accounts, etc. cannot exceed $200,000.00. This does not include the value of the house and ten acres of land.
The application for this tax relief must be completed between January 1 and June 1 of each year. Person(s) qualifying shall be exempt from real estate taxes in an amount not to exceed the annual real estate rate multiplied by the first $120,000.00 of assessed real estate value.
Land Use Taxation
James City County provides for special valuation of real property tracts larger than five acres devoted to agricultural or horticultural uses and timberland tracts of 20 acres or more located in an Agricultural/Forestal District.
Owners of such property must file application annually on forms provided by the Commissioner of the Revenue's Office certifying the continued qualifying use of the property. Applications must be filed prior to November 1 for valuation in the next succeeding year under this program.
Those interested in forming an Agricultural/Forestal District should contact the James City County Planning Department.
Personal Property
Active Military Exemption
Military personnel residing in James City County with a home of record other than Virginia , may be exempt from personal property tax. To qualify the personal property must be registered solely in the name of the Active Duty Member. A current Leave and Earnings Statement is required to document eligibility for this exemption. Please submit the exemption form with a copy of your current Leave and Earnings Statement.
Disabled Veterans
Individuals who are disabled veterans, who is considered by the Veterans Administration to have a 100 percent service related disability, may exempt from taxation one motor vehicle. Documentation of the disability should be submitted along with an application indicating which vehicle the veteran wishes to have exempted.
Vehicles Specially equipped for the Transport of Handicapped Individuals
Any vehicle which has been specially equipped for the transport of a handicapped individual may be exempted from personal property tax. The owner of the vehicle should submit documentation of the type of equipment which has been installed and the date of installation in order to qualify for this exemption. The exemption applies to vehicles which are used by the owner for transport of any member of his household.
Personal Property Tax Relief Act of 1998
In 1998, the general Assembly passed legislation providing for personal property tax relief for cars, trucks and motorcycles owned and operated by individuals for their personal use. When fully implemented by the State, the program will eliminate the tax liability on the first $20,000 of value on qualifying vehicles. In order to qualify for this program, the vehicle must be individually owned, have gross vehicle weight of 7,500 pounds or less and be used less than 50 percent for business purposes. Owners are required to certify the use of their vehicles on their state and local registrations after January 1, 2003, in order to receive the benefits of this program. The amounts of tax relief provided since the program's inception in 1998 are shown below:
Year |
Percentage
of Relief |
Maximum Tax Benefit per Vehicle |
| 2001
|
70.0% |
560 |
| 2002
|
70.0% |
560 |
| 2003
|
70.0% |
560 |
2004
|
70.0% |
560 |
2005
|
70.0% |
560 |
2006
|
61.0% |
488 |
2007
|
57.0% |
456 |
2008
|
Anyone with questions regarding the qualification of a motor vehicle to receive this tax relief should contact the Commissioner of the Revenue's office at (757) 253-6695.