<?xml version="1.0"?>
<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>72311</law_id><section_number>58.1-3940</section_number><catch_line>Limitation on collection of local taxes</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>15.2-1115</reference><reference>15.2-901</reference><reference>15.2-906</reference><reference>15.2-907</reference><reference>15.2-908</reference><reference>15.2-908.1</reference><reference>36-49.1:1</reference><reference>58.1-3703.1</reference><reference>58.1-3713.3</reference><reference>58.1-3903.1</reference><reference>58.1-3980</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="39">Enforcement, Collection, Refunds, Remedies and Review of Local Taxes</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="3">Collection by Distress, Suit, Lien, Etc</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> Except as otherwise specifically provided, collection of local taxes shall only be enforceable for five years following December 31 of the year for which such taxes were assessed. <a id="paragraph-260463" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/58.1-3940/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> Real property taxes shall be enforceable by sale under Article 4 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="When land may be sold for delinquent taxes; notice of sale; owner's right of redemption" href="/58.1-3965/">58.1-3965</a> et seq.) of the property on which such taxes were assessed and by other means permitted under this chapter for 20 years after December 31 of the year for which such taxes were assessed, provided that whenever taxes or portions of taxes that would otherwise be due have been deferred pursuant to an <span class="dictionary">ordinance</span> enacted in conformity with Article 2 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Exemption or deferral of taxes on property of certain elderly individuals and individuals with disabilities" href="/58.1-3210/">58.1-3210</a> et seq.) or Article 2.1 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Deferral of portion of real estate tax increases" href="/58.1-3219/">58.1-3219</a> et seq.) of Chapter 32 of this title, the <span class="dictionary">statute of limitations</span> provided by this subsection shall be tolled with respect to taxes deferred during the pendency of such deferral. <a id="paragraph-260464" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/58.1-3940/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> The limitation periods provided in subsections A and B of this section shall not apply to taxes or other charges that have been reduced to <span class="dictionary">judgment</span> or a <span class="dictionary">judgment</span> <span class="dictionary">lien</span> resulting from a suit to collect taxes or other charges, which may be collected by any means provided in this chapter or any means provided by general <span class="dictionary">law</span> for the collection of <span class="dictionary">judgments</span> so long as the <span class="dictionary">judgment</span> or <span class="dictionary">judgment</span> <span class="dictionary">lien</span> remains enforceable pursuant to general <span class="dictionary">law</span>. <a id="paragraph-260465" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/58.1-3940/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> The <span class="dictionary">statutes</span> of limitations established by this section shall be tolled, with respect to any tax obligation or tax <span class="dictionary">lien</span> not discharged or otherwise relieved or rendered unenforceable pursuant to applicable <span class="dictionary">law</span>, for any period during which all or substantially all of the <span class="dictionary">assets</span> or estate of the <span class="dictionary">taxpayer</span> are subject to the control or <span class="dictionary">custody</span> of any court or receiver, including without limitation any United States <span class="dictionary">Bankruptcy Court</span>. <a id="paragraph-260466" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/58.1-3940/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>Code 1950, &#xA7;&#xA7; 58-967, 58-1019, 58-1021; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 6; 1984, c. 675; 1994, c. 209; 1996, c. 323; 1998, c. 648; 2002, c. 64; 2003, c. 214.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
