These frequently asked questions were prepared to assist our citizens with questions related to the Finance Department. This guide
is designed to help our citizens navigate more efficiently to the specific areas of information with which they have concerns. We
welcome the opportunity to better serve the needs of our residents, so please feel free to contact us with any comments or
suggestions you may have regarding our website.
Below are frequently asked questions by topic.
General Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Rates and Fees for the city of Richmond?
| Tax Type | Rates / Fees |
|---|
| Individual Personal Property | $3.70 per $100 of assessed value |
| Business Personal Property | $3.70 per $100 of assessed value |
| Business License Tax | Gross Receipts Less than $5,000 - $0 fee |
| Business License Tax | Gross Receipts Greater than $5,000 but Less than $100,000 - $30 fee |
| Business License Tax | Gross Receipts > $100,000 - Tax Rate x Gross Receipts |
| Admissions Tax | 7% of admissions charge |
| Lodging Tax | 8% of lodging fee |
| Meals Tax | 6% of meal charge |
| Daily Rental Tax | 1% of rental charge |
| Daily Rental Tax - Heavy Equipment | 1.5% of rental charge |
| Consumer Utility Tax | Rates vary. Please contact the Finance Department regarding this information. |
| Real Estate Tax | $1.20 per $100 of assessed value (2010 rate) |
Vehicle License Fees
| Vehicle Type | Fees |
|---|
| Motorcycles | $15.00 |
| Boat Trailer | $6.50 |
| Utility Trailer | $6.50 to $22.00 |
| National Guard | $12.50 |
| Disabled Veteran | No Charge |
| Antique Car | No Charge |
| Heavy Trucks | ** |
| Military Vehicles | ** |
| Rescue Squad Vehicles | ** |
| Other Vehicles weighing less than 4,000 pounds | $23 |
| Other Vehicles weighing greater than 4,000 pounds | $28 |
** Please contact the Finance Department for further information.
Prorated amounts for partial year. Decals are dependent on period of residence.
City Code 98-749(d).
Where Can I pay my Taxes and Fees?
All Taxes and Fees can be paid at three locations within the city. Special Note:
Personal property & Real Estate taxes during filing season, as determined by the tax due date which is generally May 1 for property taxes
and January 14 and June 14 for real estate taxes.
If your bill is past due, do not use the drop box as services may be interrupted
due to processing time. Please pay your bill in person at one of the above-mentioned locations.
What form of payment does the city accept for payment of taxes and fees?
- Cash -- Teller transactions only. Do not send cash though the mail or leave in the dropboxes.
- Money Orders -- Teller transactions or Mail
- Checks -- Teller transactions or Mail
- Credit Card -- NOTE: The credit card company, as
a cost for processing this transaction, adds a convenience fee of 2.5%, that is
paid by the customer. This fee is not assessed by the city of Richmond and the city
does not profit from the fee imposed.
The following credit cards are accepted.
- MasterCard
- VISA
- American Express
- Discover
- Telephone Payments -- Credit Card payments for
Personal Property Tax only can be made by dialing: 1-888-2PAY
TAX (1-888-272-9829). The code for the city of Richmond is 1059.
Customers must have bill readily available to use this payment method to provide
information as listed on the bill to the automated system. A 2.5% convenience fee will be charged.
Parking tickets cannot be paid over the telephone, only by mail or in person.
How do I get a Sidewalk Vendor or Street Vendor's License?
- Determine the proposed physical location of vending stand or cart. Provide this
information to the Business License Office (804)646-7295. This will be submitted
to an enforcement officer for site inspection. Once the site is approved, proceed
to step 2.
- Obtain commercial liability insurance for vending operation, with at least $300,000.00
in coverage limits. The city of Richmond must be named as the co-insured. Submit
your completed permit application and business license applications to the Business
Office, along with insurance certificate (and health permit (I) for selling food
items).
- A representative from the Business License Office will assist in the preparation
of these forms and will direct you to the cashier's office when completed to pay
the necessary fees. Fees are as follows: $225.00 for initial vending operation,
plus $50.00 for each additional stand or cart under the same license.
- Once all fees and requirements have been met, the Tax Enforcement rep will issue
your license "plate(s)" number for operation and your ID Card. The ID cost is $3.00.
After I get a Sidewalk Vendor's License, how long is it good?
A vendor's license is valid for one year and expires on December 31st . Licenses
are not prorated, so if your license is acquired in November, for example, it still
expires at the end of the year and will have to be renewed.
Risk Management Frequently Asked Questions
What do I do if my property was damaged by the city?
You must file a written claim against the city of Richmond. The Code of Virginia, Section 15.2-209, requires written notice of a claim
against a municipality be provided within 6 months of the event giving rise to the claim. To file a claim against the city of Richmond, the
claim letter should be addressed as follows:
Mr. Allen Jackson, Esq.
City Attorney
Room 300
900 E. Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
The letter should include the pertinent information of the incident, including the date, time of day, location, parties involved, vehicles
involved, names of witnesses and a description of what occurred.
Who may I contact in the event I have any questions regarding damage to my property or filing a claim against the city?
