| Q. |
Who establishes the tax rate? |
| A. |
The Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors. The real estate tax
rate is established each year after two separate public hearings have
been held by the County Board of Supervisors--one hearing on the tax
rate and one hearing on the budget. |
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| Q. |
How are real estate taxes calculated? |
| A. |
Real estate taxes are calculated by multiplying the property’s
assessed value by the current tax rate. For example, if the tax rate
is $1.04 per $100 of assessed value and the property is assessed
at $100,000, you multiply $100,000 by .0l04, which gives you an annual
tax of $1,040. |
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| Q. |
What is the effective date of annual assessments? |
| A. |
Annual Real Estate Assessments are effective January 1st of each
year. |
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| Q. |
How do I know if my property assessment has changed? |
| A. |
On or before February 1st of each year assessment notices are mailed
to all property owners who have had a change in their assessment or
a change in the ownership of the property. At that time, if a property
owner has a question about their assessment, they can call or visit
the Assessor’s Office. Staff is available to answer questions
about the assessment and will make available information relating
to the assessed value. |
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| Q. |
Will home maintenance increase the assessment? |
| A. |
Generally speaking, no. However, repairs that materially enhance
the value of the property or repairs that recapture a loss in value
that previously resulted in a lower assessment will most likely result
in an increased assessment. |
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| Q. |
How does fire damage, storm damage, demolition, etc., affect
a property’s assessment? |
| A. |
The assessed values of buildings that have been affected by such
damages are adjusted through an exoneration procedure. That is, if
a house burns down on February 20th, the assessment would be adjusted
as of February 20th. |
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| Q. |
How can my assessment increase or decrease even when there
have been no changes made to the property? |
| A. |
The most frequent cause for a change in property value is a change
in the market. A shortage of houses in a desirable neighborhood may
send prices soaring, while in a recession, homes may stay on the market
for a longer time with some homes actually selling for less than anticipated.
In good economic times, inflation alone may cause an increase in property
values. |
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| Q. |
Are properties reassessed every year? |
| A. |
Property assessments are reviewed every year, but assessments are
not necessarily changed every year. |
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| Q. |
How is the assessed value determined? |
| A. |
Assessed values are based on market activity within a given area
or neighborhood. Market activity (sales data) is used to establish
fair market value. The fair market value of a property is defined
as the price most people would pay for the property on the open market.
Generally, the following steps are used in determining a property’s
fair market value.
(1) An on-site inspection of the property is conducted.
(2) Sales information is collected and analyzed.
(3) A comparison is made between properties that have sold and
similar properties in the neighborhood. |
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| Q. |
What is meant by the term "assessment ratio"? |
| A. |
The assessment ratio is the relationship between a property’s
assessed value and the property’s selling price. This relationship
is expressed as a ratio (a percentage). The assessment ratio is calculated
by dividing the property’s assessed value by the property’s
selling price. For example, if a property is assessed at $95,000 and
sold for $100,000, you divide $95,000 by $100,000 and this gives you
an assessment ratio of 95%. |
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| Q. |
What is the required ratio of assessed value to fair market
value? |
| A. |
The State Code mandates, "... annual assessments... shall be
made at 100% of fair market value…" This state law was
adopted in Chesterfield County effective January 1, 1977. The State
Department of Taxation conducts an audit of Chesterfield’s assessments
annually to monitor the County’s assessment to sales ratio. |
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| Q. |
How do I access property assessments and record information? |
| A. |
Property records are available on the Internet and at the Assessor’s
Office located at 6701 Mimms Loop, Chesterfield, Virginia. |
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| Q. |
What should a property owner do if they disagree with their
assessment? |
| A. |
Property owners are encouraged to call the Assessor's
Office should they have any questions. Staff are available to discuss
the assessment and will make available information relating to the
assessed value. |
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| Q. |
Is the commercial tax rate the same as residential? |
| A. |
Yes, in Chesterfield County. |
