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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>65315</law_id><section_number>58.1-618</section_number><catch_line>Assessment based on estimate</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="58.1">Taxation</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="I">Taxes Administered by the Department of Taxation</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="6">Retail Sales and Use Tax</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> If any dealer fails to make a return as provided by this chapter, or a return that is false or fraudulent, it shall be the duty of the <span class="dictionary">Tax Commissioner</span> to make an estimate for the taxable period of the <span class="dictionary">retail sales</span> or <span class="dictionary">distributions</span> of such dealer, or of the <span class="dictionary">gross proceeds</span> from leases of <span class="dictionary">tangible personal property</span>, or taxable services by such dealer, or the <span class="dictionary">cost price</span> of all articles of <span class="dictionary">tangible personal property</span> imported by such dealer for <span class="dictionary">use</span> or consumption <span class="dictionary">in the Commonwealth</span>, or <span class="dictionary">storage</span> by such dealer of <span class="dictionary">tangible personal property</span> to be used or consumed <span class="dictionary">in the Commonwealth</span>, and assess the tax, plus such penalties as are provided in this chapter. The <span class="dictionary">Tax Commissioner</span> shall give such dealer ten days&#x2019; notice in writing requiring such dealer to appear before him with such books, records, and papers as he may require relating to the <span class="dictionary">business</span> of such dealer for such taxable period. The <span class="dictionary">Tax Commissioner</span> may require such dealer or the agents and employees of such dealer to give <span class="dictionary">testimony</span> or to answer <span class="dictionary">interrogatories</span> under <span class="dictionary">oath</span> administered by the <span class="dictionary">Tax Commissioner</span> respecting such <span class="dictionary">sale</span>, <span class="dictionary">distribution</span>, lease, <span class="dictionary">use</span>, consumption, or <span class="dictionary">storage</span> of <span class="dictionary">tangible personal property</span>, or taxable services, or the failure to make a return thereof as provided in this chapter. If any dealer fails to make any such return or refuses to permit an examination of his books, records, or papers, or to appear and answer questions within the scope of such investigation, the <span class="dictionary">Tax Commissioner</span> is hereby authorized to make the assessment based upon such information as may be available to him and to <span class="dictionary">issue</span> a <span class="dictionary">memorandum</span> of <span class="dictionary">lien</span> under &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Memorandum of lien for collection of taxes; release of lien" href="/58.1-1805/">58.1-1805</a> for the collection of any such taxes and penalties so found to be due. The assessment so made shall be deemed prima facie correct. <a id="paragraph-237536" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/58.1-618/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> If the dealer has imported <span class="dictionary">tangible personal property</span> and fails to produce an invoice showing the <span class="dictionary">sales price</span> of the articles, or the invoice does not reflect the true or actual <span class="dictionary">sales price</span> as defined in this chapter, then the <span class="dictionary">Tax Commissioner</span> shall ascertain, in any manner feasible, the true <span class="dictionary">sales price</span> and assess and collect the tax, with penalties, to the extent such have accrued, on the true <span class="dictionary">sales price</span> as ascertained by him. The assessment so made shall be deemed prima facie correct. <a id="paragraph-237537" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/58.1-618/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> In the case of the lease of <span class="dictionary">tangible personal property</span>, if the consideration given or reported by the dealer, in the <span class="dictionary">judgment</span> of the <span class="dictionary">Tax Commissioner</span>, does not represent the true or actual consideration, then the <span class="dictionary">Tax Commissioner</span> is authorized to fix the same and assess and collect the tax thereon in the same manner as above provided, with penalties to the extent such have accrued. The assessment so made shall be deemed prima facie correct. <a id="paragraph-237538" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/58.1-618/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>Code 1950, &#xA7; 58-441.28; 1966, c. 151; 1984, c. 675; 1985, c. 221.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
