Revenue Administration

Personal Property Unit

The Personal Property Tax Unit manages Personal Property Tax Relief where applicable, Tax Assessments and Tax Bills for Motor Vehicles, Boats, Trailers and Manufactured Homes. Personal Property taxes are prorated, and billed annually with a due date of June 5th.

Business Unit

The Business and License Assessment Unit is responsible for assessing all tax categories related to businesses operating in the City of Richmond. Business Tangible Personal Property, Machinery and Tools, Business Professional Occupational Licenses, Admissions Lodging and Meals, Cigarette Taxes, Bank Franchise, and Daily Rentals.

Annual Dates to Remember

March 1st Business License Renewal Application and Payment Due
March 1st Business Tangible Personal Property and Machinery & Tools Due
June 1st Bank Franchise Tax Payment Due                         
June 5th Property Taxes (Business Tangible Personal Property and Machinery & Tools)
December 31st Workers’ Compensation Due (For Following Tax Year)
20th of Every Month Admissions, Lodging, and Meals Taxes –Due the Month Following Collection
15th of Every April, July, October, & January Daily Rental Taxes Payment Due

Audit Unit

The Tax Audit & Compliance Division is responsible for ensuring tax compliance across all business categories including BPOL, ALM, BPP, and (forthcoming) Cigarette Taxes. Different types of audits are performed for varying license categories following a discovery period conducted periodically throughout the year. Further, the Tax Audit Division is responsible for both monthly and yearly statutory assessments for unfiled license or tax categories. Lastly, the division handles the processing of all business-related refunds.

Real Estate Unit

The Real Estate Tax Unit is responsible for billing real estate taxes for approximately 74,000 parcels within the City of Richmond. Real estate taxes are due January 14th and June 14th each year. Additionally, the unit administers the Tax Relief for the Elderly and Disabled Program, which allows Richmond citizens who are 65 years or older or permanently/totally disabled to receive an exemption on the real estate taxes of their primary residence.  

Delinquent Collections Unit

The Delinquent Collections Unit is responsible for collecting any outstanding taxes for Admissions, Lodging and Meals (ALM) taxes; Business Professional and Occupational License (BPOL); Personal Property Taxes and Real Estate Taxes.  If needed, payment plans can be arranged. The collection functions include managing the Debt Set-Off (DSO) and the Virginia Registration Withholding (VRW) programs.  The unit also handles all bankruptcy inquiries and files timely proof of claims. 

Tax Enforcement

The Tax Enforcement Unit handles a myriad of duties in service to the taxpayers and the City of Richmond.  This unit ensures the business community is in compliance with the City of Richmond’s license and tax codes.  Officers within the unit general task are to:

  • Inspect businesses for possession of proper business license(s)
  • Conducts field canvasses to locate businesses not on the tax roll
  • Inspect vendor carts for code compliance
  • Issue notices and summonses for non-compliance of tax codes
  • Testify in court cases involving license and tax violations
  • Participated with other agencies in joint initiatives
  • Participate in seminars for occupational improvements and information
  • Approve or deny vendor applications for the Central Business District
  • Ensure Special Event participants are in compliance prior to events

Cash Operations Unit

The Cash Operations Unit oversees the day to day management of the City’s payment processing functions.  The unit receives payments via Over the Counter, Mail, Internet and Drop Box Payments from external and internal customers.  Payments range from Tax, Parking Tickets, and Gas/Water payments to inter-departmental deposits.  In addition, the unit also issues neighborhood Parking Decals, Permits and Passes.