Effective March 31, 2025, the use of solid waste decals will be discontinued. The Tax Administration will cease the issuance of these decals as of March 14th.
Effective March 31, 2025, the use of solid waste decals will be discontinued. The Tax Administration will cease the issuance of these decals as of March 14th.
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Vehicle Assessment Appeal on Personal Property Tax
Legal Basis for Uniform Assessments
Virginia state law (Virginia Code Section 58.1-3503.A.3) requires the Commissioner of Revenue to assess vehicles using values found in a “recognized pricing guide,” thus ensuring uniformity and equity of all assessments within a jurisdiction. The use of individual vehicle sales or trade-in offers as a basis for assessment is not a valid reason for appeal.
Personal property assessments in Prince William County are to be based on property values as of January 1 of the tax year, which begins on January 1 and ends on December 31, pursuant to Virginia Code Section 58.1-3515.
Prince William County uses “Clean Trade-In” January 1 values in the J.D. Power (formerly NADA Guides).
All personal property tax is assessed annually (as of January 1) on automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, trailers, and mobile homes.
If you feel your vehicle has been assessed (valued) incorrectly, you may appeal your assessment to Taxpayer Services pursuant to Virginia state law (Virginia Code Section 58.1-3980) and Prince William County Code Section 26-2.
Prince William County taxpayers may submit the official Vehicle Valuation Assessment Appeals form only if they feel their vehicles are incorrectly assessed because of special circumstances relating to the condition of the vehicle (e.g., significant structural damage, excessive rust, major mechanical) that may cause the vehicle’s value to be less than the official assessed value.
Applications must be submitted annually.
Notice: The damage appeal adjustment is based on parts only.
Damaged vehicles that have been repaired do not qualify for a lower assessment based on the repaired damage.
Please note: If there are corrections on your bill that need to be addressed, if you have sold your vehicle, moved your vehicle from Prince William County, or disposed of your vehicle, please email [email protected] or call 703-792-6710 to update your account.
Vehicle Valuation Appeals Process
1. To appeal a vehicle’s value, you must have the vehicle valued by an expert appraiser, adjuster, or auto repair facility (e.g., car dealer, insurance appraiser, car auctioneer, or automobile mechanic). The written appraisal must:
- Be on the appraiser’s letterhead.
- Include the appraiser’s name, address, phone number, and signature.
- Include a description of the vehicle’s condition on January 1 of the assessment’s tax year.
- Include a detailed damage and repair estimate listing the specific conditions that lower the vehicle’s value than the clean trade-in value listed in the J.D Power (formally NADA Guides). Examples are excessive rust, body damage, missing engine, etc. Excess mileage alone is not a sufficient reason for a reassessment of your vehicle; however, you can apply for a high mileage adjustment if the vehicle qualifies. For more information, go to the Vehicle High Mileage Appeal tab.
2. Submit the appraisal and a completed Vehicle Valuation Appeal form to [email protected]
- The application will be reviewed, and you will be notified of the decision made in writing.
- Appealing your assessment doesn’t guarantee that your personal property tax assessment will be lowered.
- The taxpayer, under the law, has the burden of proof to substantiate the value.
Note: An appeal is considered filed once you have mailed the required documents (as determined by the post office postmark) or emailed to the Tax Administration Office.
To file an appeal, please complete the appeal form and return the form and required documentation, including your account number, to [email protected] or by mail to:
Tax Administration Division
Prince William County
PO Box 2467
Woodbridge, VA 22195-2467