                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

ALTERNATIVE METHOD OF FILING RETURNS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES, TRAILERS AND BOATS (§
58.1-3518.1)

A. Notwithstanding the provisions of &#xA7; 58.1-3518, the governing body of any
county, city or town may provide by ordinance for an alternative method of
filing personal property tax returns for motor vehicles, trailers and boats. Any
such ordinance adopted pursuant to this section may provide for the annual
assessment and taxation of motor vehicles, trailers and boats based on a
previous personal property tax return filed by the owner or owners of such
property. For those whose name or address has not changed since a previous
filing and whose personal property has had no change in status or situs, the
assessment and taxation of property may be based on a personal property tax
return previously filed with the jurisdiction adopting such an alternative
method.

B. Any jurisdiction adopting such an alternative method may require the owner of
a motor vehicle, trailer or boat to file a new personal property tax return
whenever there is: (i) a change in the name or address of the person or persons
owning taxable personal property; (ii) a change in the situs of personal
property; (iii) any other change affecting the assessment or levy of the
personal property tax on motor vehicles, trailers or boats for which a tax
return has been filed previously; or (iv) any change in which a person acquires
one or more motor vehicles, trailers or boats and for which no personal property
tax return has been filed.

C. Nothing in this section shall preclude any jurisdiction from assessing
taxable personal property in accordance with &#xA7; 58.1-3519 or assessing
penalties and interest in accordance with &#xA7; 58.1-3916.

HISTORY: 1994, c. 292; 1996, c. 322.