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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>82194</law_id><section_number>58.1-3713.3</section_number><catch_line>Validation of local coal and gas severance tax ordinances and local coal and gas road improvement tax ordinances</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>45.2-1605</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="58.1">Taxation</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="III">Local Taxes</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="37">License Taxes</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> All <span class="dictionary">ordinances</span> adopted pursuant to &#xA7;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Counties and cities authorized to levy severance tax on gases" href="/58.1-3712/">58.1-3712</a> and <a class="law" title="Local gas road improvement and Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority tax" href="/58.1-3713/">58.1-3713</a> prior to October 1, 1989, shall be valid as if they had been enacted as of January 1, 1985, as long as similar <span class="dictionary">ordinances</span> had been validly enacted under the predecessor provisions to &#xA7;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Counties and cities authorized to levy severance tax on gases" href="/58.1-3712/">58.1-3712</a> and <a class="law" title="Local gas road improvement and Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority tax" href="/58.1-3713/">58.1-3713</a> and in substantial compliance therewith. Any such local tax <span class="dictionary">ordinances</span> are declared to be validly adopted and enacted as of January 1, 1985, notwithstanding the failure of the locality to change the reference in the local tax <span class="dictionary">ordinance</span> after the enactment of this title, effective January 1, 1985. <a id="paragraph-294586" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/58.1-3713.3/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> All <span class="dictionary">ordinances</span> adopted pursuant to &#xA7;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Counties and cities authorized to levy severance tax on gases" href="/58.1-3712/">58.1-3712</a>, <a class="law" title="Local gas road improvement and Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority tax" href="/58.1-3713/">58.1-3713</a>, and <a class="law" title="Additional one percent tax on gas" href="/58.1-3713.4/">58.1-3713.4</a> prior to January 1, 2001, shall be valid and presumed to include all the provisions of &#xA7;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Counties and cities authorized to levy severance tax on gases" href="/58.1-3712/">58.1-3712</a>, <a class="law" title="Local gas road improvement and Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority tax" href="/58.1-3713/">58.1-3713</a>, and <a class="law" title="Additional one percent tax on gas" href="/58.1-3713.4/">58.1-3713.4</a> as long as such <span class="dictionary">ordinances</span> were in substantial compliance therewith at the time of their adoption. <a id="paragraph-294587" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/58.1-3713.3/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> 1. Any locality that imposed the tax under &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Counties and cities authorized to levy severance tax on gases" href="/58.1-3712/">58.1-3712</a>, <a class="law" title="Local gas road improvement and Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority tax" href="/58.1-3713/">58.1-3713</a>, or <a class="law" title="Additional one percent tax on gas" href="/58.1-3713.4/">58.1-3713.4</a> for the 2008, 2009, 2010, or 2011 <span class="dictionary">license year</span> for coal, gas, or oil severed from the earth prior to July 1, 2013, shall (if it has not already done so by the effective date of this subsection) <span class="dictionary">amend</span> its local <span class="dictionary">ordinance</span> with regard to such taxes to adopt or include the uniform <span class="dictionary">ordinance</span> provisions of &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Uniform ordinance provisions" href="/58.1-3703.1/">58.1-3703.1</a>, with the exception of subdivisions A 1 and A 3 of such section, in the local <span class="dictionary">ordinance</span> with an effective date retroactive to the 2008 <span class="dictionary">license year</span>. As of the effective date of this subsection, each such locality shall allow all persons assessed with such taxes for the 2008 <span class="dictionary">license year</span> or any <span class="dictionary">license year</span> thereafter to exercise all rights and remedies under &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Uniform ordinance provisions" href="/58.1-3703.1/">58.1-3703.1</a>, provided that subdivisions A 1 and A 3 of such section shall be inapplicable for purposes of the imposition, collection, or <span class="dictionary">appeal</span> of such taxes. Such rights and remedies shall include, but shall not be limited to, the <span class="dictionary">appeal</span> procedures set forth under subdivisions A 5, A 6, and A 7 of &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Uniform ordinance provisions" href="/58.1-3703.1/">58.1-3703.1</a>. In addition, each such locality, upon the provisions of this subsection becoming effective, shall within 60 days thereof provide written notice to all persons upon whom the locality imposed one or more of the taxes under &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Counties and cities authorized to levy severance tax on gases" href="/58.1-3712/">58.1-3712</a>, <a class="law" title="Local gas road improvement and Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority tax" href="/58.1-3713/">58.1-3713</a>, or <a class="law" title="Additional one percent tax on gas" href="/58.1-3713.4/">58.1-3713.4</a> for <span class="dictionary">license year</span> 2008, 2009, 2010, or 2011 for coal, gas, or oil severed from the earth prior to July 1, 2013, informing the person that the locality has adopted or will adopt the uniform <span class="dictionary">ordinance</span> provisions of &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Uniform ordinance provisions" href="/58.1-3703.1/">58.1-3703.1</a> with regard to such taxes, excluding subdivisions A 1 and A 3 of such section, retroactive to the 2008 <span class="dictionary">license year</span> and for each <span class="dictionary">license year</span> thereafter. <a id="paragraph-294588" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/58.1-3713.3/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Any locality described in subdivision 1 that <span class="dictionary">amends</span> its local <span class="dictionary">ordinance</span> with regard to such taxes, or has amended the same prior to the effective date of this subsection, to expressly include, incorporate by reference, or adopt by incorporation the uniform <span class="dictionary">ordinance</span> provisions of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Uniform ordinance provisions" href="/58.1-3703.1/">58.1-3703.1</a> shall have met the requirement under subdivision 1 to <span class="dictionary">amend</span> its local <span class="dictionary">ordinance</span> with regard to such taxes, provided that the locality on or after the effective date of this subsection further <span class="dictionary">amends</span> its local <span class="dictionary">ordinance</span> to make such inclusion, incorporation by reference, or adoption by incorporation retroactive to the 2008 <span class="dictionary">license year</span>. Nothing in this subdivision shall relieve the locality from (i) the notice requirements under subdivision 1 or (ii) the requirement under subdivision 1 to allow all persons assessed with such taxes for the 2008 <span class="dictionary">license year</span> or any <span class="dictionary">license year</span> thereafter to exercise all rights and remedies under &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Uniform ordinance provisions" href="/58.1-3703.1/">58.1-3703.1</a> except that subdivisions A 1 and A 3 of such section shall be inapplicable for purposes of the imposition, collection, or <span class="dictionary">appeal</span> of such taxes. <a id="paragraph-294589" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/58.1-3713.3/#C2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Each locality amending its <span class="dictionary">ordinance</span> pursuant to subdivision 1 or 2 shall <span class="dictionary">amend</span> its <span class="dictionary">ordinance</span> in accordance with the respective subdivision within 90 days of the effective date of this subsection. <a id="paragraph-294590" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/58.1-3713.3/#C3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> Each local <span class="dictionary">ordinance</span> amended as provided under this subsection shall be deemed valid and properly enacted for purposes of any tax imposed pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Counties and cities authorized to levy severance tax on gases" href="/58.1-3712/">58.1-3712</a>, <a class="law" title="Local gas road improvement and Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority tax" href="/58.1-3713/">58.1-3713</a>, or <a class="law" title="Additional one percent tax on gas" href="/58.1-3713.4/">58.1-3713.4</a> for <span class="dictionary">license year</span> 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, or 2012 for coal, gas, or oil severed from the earth prior to July 1, 2013. Further, each such <span class="dictionary">ordinance</span> shall be deemed to have met the requirement of subsection A of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Uniform ordinance provisions" href="/58.1-3703.1/">58.1-3703.1</a> to include in the local <span class="dictionary">ordinance</span> provisions substantially similar to those set forth under such subsection. <a id="paragraph-294591" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/58.1-3713.3/#C4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C5" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> a. Notwithstanding any other provision of <span class="dictionary">law</span>, any person assessed with a license tax under &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Counties and cities authorized to levy severance tax on gases" href="/58.1-3712/">58.1-3712</a>, <a class="law" title="Local gas road improvement and Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority tax" href="/58.1-3713/">58.1-3713</a>, or <a class="law" title="Additional one percent tax on gas" href="/58.1-3713.4/">58.1-3713.4</a> for <span class="dictionary">license year</span> 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, or 2013 for coal, gas, or oil severed from the earth prior to July 1, 2013, shall be allowed to file an administrative <span class="dictionary">appeal</span> of the same under &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Uniform ordinance provisions" href="/58.1-3703.1/">58.1-3703.1</a> to the commissioner of the revenue or other local assessing official only during the period beginning July 1, 2013, and ending July 1, 2014. Such person shall be allowed to file the administrative <span class="dictionary">appeal</span> regardless of whether an appealable event, as defined in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Uniform ordinance provisions" href="/58.1-3703.1/">58.1-3703.1</a>, occurs on or after the effective date of this subsection. Such <span class="dictionary">appeal</span> to the commissioner of the revenue or other local assessing official may be further appealed to the <span class="dictionary">Tax Commissioner</span> pursuant to subdivision A 6 of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Uniform ordinance provisions" href="/58.1-3703.1/">58.1-3703.1</a> and to the appropriate <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> <span class="dictionary">court</span> pursuant to subdivision A 7 of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Uniform ordinance provisions" href="/58.1-3703.1/">58.1-3703.1</a>, in accordance with the procedures and time frames for the <span class="dictionary">appeal</span> as provided under the respective subdivision.
				If a locality, however, makes an additional <span class="dictionary">assessment</span> of tax on or after January 1, 2014, for <span class="dictionary">license year</span> 2013, 2012, or 2011 for coal, gas, or oil severed from the earth prior to July 1, 2013, then such additional <span class="dictionary">assessment</span> may be appealed within the time frame provided under &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Uniform ordinance provisions" href="/58.1-3703.1/">58.1-3703.1</a> notwithstanding the provisions of this subdivision.
				b. Notwithstanding any other provision of <span class="dictionary">law</span>, any person assessed with a license tax under &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Counties and cities authorized to levy severance tax on gases" href="/58.1-3712/">58.1-3712</a>, <a class="law" title="Local gas road improvement and Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority tax" href="/58.1-3713/">58.1-3713</a>, or <a class="law" title="Additional one percent tax on gas" href="/58.1-3713.4/">58.1-3713.4</a> for <span class="dictionary">license year</span> 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, or 2013 for coal, gas, or oil severed from the earth prior to July 1, 2013, who elects not to file an <span class="dictionary">appeal</span> of the same pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Uniform ordinance provisions" href="/58.1-3703.1/">58.1-3703.1</a> may apply for relief of the same pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Application to commissioner of the revenue or other official for correction" href="/58.1-3980/">58.1-3980</a> or <a class="law" title="Application to court to correct erroneous assessments of local levies generally" href="/58.1-3984/">58.1-3984</a> only during the period beginning July 1, 2013, and ending July 1, 2014. If such person elects not to file an <span class="dictionary">appeal</span> of such license tax pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Uniform ordinance provisions" href="/58.1-3703.1/">58.1-3703.1</a> but applies for relief of the same pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Application to commissioner of the revenue or other official for correction" href="/58.1-3980/">58.1-3980</a> or <a class="law" title="Application to court to correct erroneous assessments of local levies generally" href="/58.1-3984/">58.1-3984</a>, then the period for collecting any such license tax shall expire as provided in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Limitation on collection of local taxes" href="/58.1-3940/">58.1-3940</a>, two years after a final determination pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Correction by commissioner or other official performing his duties" href="/58.1-3981/">58.1-3981</a>, or two years after the final decision in a <span class="dictionary">court</span> application pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Application to court to correct erroneous assessments of local levies generally" href="/58.1-3984/">58.1-3984</a>, whichever is later.
				If a locality, however, makes an additional <span class="dictionary">assessment</span> of tax on or after January 1, 2014, for <span class="dictionary">license year</span> 2013, 2012, or 2011 for coal, gas, or oil severed from the earth prior to July 1, 2013, then such person so assessed may apply for relief of such <span class="dictionary">assessment</span> pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Application to commissioner of the revenue or other official for correction" href="/58.1-3980/">58.1-3980</a> or <a class="law" title="Application to court to correct erroneous assessments of local levies generally" href="/58.1-3984/">58.1-3984</a> within the time frame provided under the applicable section notwithstanding the provisions of this subdivision, and the period for collecting any such additional <span class="dictionary">assessment</span> shall be as provided under Title 58.1 or other controlling <span class="dictionary">law</span> notwithstanding the provisions of this subdivision.
				c. Notwithstanding the provisions of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Limitation on collection of local taxes" href="/58.1-3940/">58.1-3940</a>, the period for collecting any license tax imposed under &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Counties and cities authorized to levy severance tax on gases" href="/58.1-3712/">58.1-3712</a>, <a class="law" title="Local gas road improvement and Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority tax" href="/58.1-3713/">58.1-3713</a>, or <a class="law" title="Additional one percent tax on gas" href="/58.1-3713.4/">58.1-3713.4</a> for <span class="dictionary">license years</span> 2008 and 2009 for coal, gas, or oil severed from the earth prior to July 1, 2013, shall expire on January 1, 2016, unless a longer period is provided under <span class="dictionary">law</span>.
				d. Notwithstanding any other provision of <span class="dictionary">law</span>, collection activity shall be suspended on the <span class="dictionary">assessment</span> of <span class="dictionary">additional license tax</span> for <span class="dictionary">license year</span> 2008, 2009, 2010, or 2011 for coal, gas, or oil severed from the earth prior to July 1, 2013, pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Counties and cities authorized to levy severance tax on gases" href="/58.1-3712/">58.1-3712</a>, <a class="law" title="Local gas road improvement and Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority tax" href="/58.1-3713/">58.1-3713</a>, or <a class="law" title="Additional one percent tax on gas" href="/58.1-3713.4/">58.1-3713.4</a>. In addition, collection activity shall be suspended on the <span class="dictionary">assessment</span> of <span class="dictionary">additional license tax</span> for <span class="dictionary">license year</span> 2012 or 2013 for such taxes on coal, gas, or oil severed from the earth prior to July 1, 2013, provided that, in filing severance tax returns for the severance of coal, gases, or oil from the earth in the locality in <span class="dictionary">license year</span> 2012 and 2013, the person filing the return includes with the return a good faith payment of the tax due or a good faith report of the tax due. The good faith payment or report of tax due shall be in accordance with the methodology used by that person as of January 1, 2010, to report the person&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">gross receipts</span> to the locality for purposes of such taxes unless such person and the locality have entered into a <span class="dictionary">contract</span> or agreement on an alternate methodology to report the person&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">gross receipts</span>. As used in this subsection, &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">additional license tax</span>&#x201D; means all amounts of license tax, <span class="dictionary">penalty</span>, and interest that are in addition to the amount of license tax paid by a person or reported by a person as due in filing severance tax returns for the severance of coal, gases, or oil from the earth in the locality. Collection activity shall not be required to be suspended if collection of any tax, interest, or <span class="dictionary">penalty</span> is jeopardized by delay as defined in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Uniform ordinance provisions" href="/58.1-3703.1/">58.1-3703.1</a>. However, nothing herein shall be construed or interpreted as to require the suspension of collection activity for any amount of unpaid license tax (and any interest and <span class="dictionary">penalty</span> related thereto) reported by a person as due in filing a severance tax return for the severance of coal, gas, or oil from the earth.
				Collection activity on <span class="dictionary">additional license tax</span> for <span class="dictionary">license year</span> 2008, 2009, 2010, or 2011 for coal, gas, or oil severed from the earth prior to July 1, 2013, may commence on July 1, 2013, unless other <span class="dictionary">law</span> requires the suspension of collection activity. Collection activity on <span class="dictionary">additional license tax</span> for <span class="dictionary">license year</span> 2012 or 2013 for coal, gas, or oil severed from the earth prior to July 1, 2013, if suspended pursuant to this subdivision, may commence on or after July 1, 2013, unless other <span class="dictionary">law</span> requires the suspension of collection activity. <a id="paragraph-294592" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/58.1-3713.3/#C5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C6" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> Except as otherwise provided in subdivision 5, nothing in this subsection shall be construed or interpreted as extending or decreasing any limitations period for appealing any of the taxes imposed under &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Counties and cities authorized to levy severance tax on gases" href="/58.1-3712/">58.1-3712</a>, <a class="law" title="Local gas road improvement and Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority tax" href="/58.1-3713/">58.1-3713</a>, or <a class="law" title="Additional one percent tax on gas" href="/58.1-3713.4/">58.1-3713.4</a> for coal, gas, or oil severed from the earth prior to July 1, 2013, or extending any period for the collection of such taxes. <a id="paragraph-294593" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/58.1-3713.3/#C6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1989, c. 380; 2001, cc. 294, 303; 2012, cc. 665, 722; 2013, cc. 208, 305, 391, 618; 2016, c. 305.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
