Vehicle Compliance Program (Tax Evader)
The Department of Finance, Division of Tax Administration wants to inform Prince William County residents of its new Vehicle Compliance program website, which provides an effective channel to anonymously report vehicle owners that do not display Virginia license plates but may be liable for personal property taxes.
The Vehicle Compliance Program is a system used to enforce compliance of personal property tax laws in Prince William County. The program provides Prince William County residents an effective channel to anonymously communicate with their tax office in reporting vehicle owners that may be liable for personal property taxes.
Pursuant to Va. Code § 46.2-662(A) owner residents are required to title and register their vehicle with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles within (30) days of purchase or move into Virginia and must register within (60) days with Prince William County’s tax office.
Further, VA Code § 58.1-3511(A) states, in part, “the situs for purposes of assessment of motor vehicles, travel trailers, boats and airplanes as personal property shall be the county, district, town or city where the vehicle is normally garaged, docked or parked…” As such, the vehicle may be subject to personal property tax if it is normally garaged or parked in this locality, even if registered in another state.
Prince William County wants to remind all non-exempt vehicle owners, without a current Virginia license plate, to become compliant by obtaining a Virginia registration within 30 days of vehicle purchase or move into Virginia, and by registering within 60 days with the Prince William County tax office. After the deadline, a $100 vehicle License Plate tax and $250 penalty will be assessed on all non-exempt vehicle owners that continue to display out-of-state license plates in Prince William County. See PWC Code Sec. 26-5 and 26-5.1. Virginia license plates may be obtained when the vehicle is registered with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.
There may be instances when vehicles are not required to be registered and display Virginia license plates due to certain exemptions such as:
- Active duty and/or spouse may qualify for an exemption. For more information visit the Military Personnel Exemption page.
- Short-term visitors visiting for (30) days or less.
The Vehicle Compliance reporting site allows residents to report vehicles that may not be in compliance with State and County laws. The site is available 24/7 and allows a reporter to add a tax record and check the status of a report. To report a vehicle, click on the button "Report a vehicle with out-of-state plates".