Assessing Information

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Assessment Methods for Personal Property 

Overview

Chesterfield County levies a tax each calendar year on personal property with "situs" in the county. All property must first be registered with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), except for boats, they are registered with the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries or U.S. Coast Guard. Then must be registered with the Commissioner of the Revenue. All property is taxable based on ownership. Personal Property taxes on automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, low speed vehicles, and motor homes are prorated monthly. Boats, trailers, airplanes are not prorated. For questions regarding mobile homes, please contact the Commissioner of the Revenue at (804) 748-1281 or email the Commissioner’s Office

Assessing Information

Personal Property tax is based on the value of motor vehicles, motorcycles, boats and trailers that are stored, garaged or parked in Chesterfield County using various pricing guides.

Pricing guides used to determine your assessed value

  • NADA- National Automobile Dealers Association Official Guide as of January 1
  • CPI-Collectible Vehicle Value Guide as of January 1
  • ABOS- Marine Blue Book-Low Trade-In

Automobiles & Trucks - Prorated

  • Assessment based on NADA - Clean Loan Value or the CPI - Lowest Value (fair value)
  • NADA Commercial Truck Guide (Loan Value)
  • Percentage of Original Cost based on year of purchase
  • Minimum Assessment <15,000 lbs. $100
  • Minimum Assessment >15,000 lbs. $1,000
    • Adjustments for condition as of January 1st (visual inspection/repair estimate):
    • Adjustments for condition (noted on title by DMV): indicating salvage, rebuilt, or water damage, reduce NADA value by 10%
    • Adjustments for mileage as of January 1 if valued by NADA

Motorcycles - Prorated

  • Assessment based on NADA - Rough Trade-In
  • Percentage of Original Cost based on year purchased
  • Minimum Assessment $100

Low Speed Vehicles- Prorated

  • Assessment based on percentage of original cost and year purchased
  • Minimum Assessment $100

Motor Homes/RVs - Prorated (No PPTR)

  • Assessment based on percentage of original cost and year purchased
  • Minimum Assessment $100

Boats - Not Prorated

  • Assessment based on ABOS Marine Blue Book Value
  • Effective January 1, 2017 - Boats less than 18 feet in length, used for personal use, and non-motorized are exempt from personal property tax per county ordinance.
  • Boat Registration Form (PDF) can be found on the Commissioner’s website.

All Trailers - Not Prorated

  • Assessment based on percentage of original cost and year purchased
  • Minimum Assessment 14,999 lbs. and under $100
  • Minimum Assessment 15,000 lbs. and over $1000      

Mobile Homes

Mobile Homes are assessed based on price per square foot as determined in the Wingate Mobile Home Appraisal Guide (based on single and multiple sections rates).

Aircraft (Includes Helicopters & Hot Air Balloons) - Not Prorated

  • Assessment based on the Aircraft Bluebook Digest, using the “Wholesale” figure
  • Percentage of Original Cost based on year purchased

Heavy Equipment - Prorated

  • Assessment based on percentage of original cost and year purchased
  • Minimum Assessment 14,999 lbs. and under $100
  • Minimum Assessment 15,000 lbs. and over $1000

Business Personal Property - Not Prorated

Assessment based on a percentage of original cost and year purchased

Machinery & Tools Used in a Manufacturing or Processing Business - Not Prorated

Assessment based on a percentage of original capitalized cost

High Mileage Process

Chesterfield County provides an assessment discount to vehicles that qualify as high mileage. The qualification is based on NADA mileage tables. The discount does not apply to motorcycles, motor homes, large trucks or trailers.

  • Mileage tables change each year. Taxpayers must file annually until the mileage of the item reaches 245,001 miles.
  • One of the following must be provided as proof of mileage at or near January 1 of each tax year:
  • State inspection receipt
  • Oil change receipt
  • Repair bill

Condition Process