Frequently Asked Questions

If you perform any job and your office is located in the county of Goochland, you are required to secure a Business License, for your total gross receipts, including work performed outside the county. Out of town contractors If you are a contractor who is licensed in another Virginia locality and you do not expect your total jobs within the County of Goochland to exceed $25,000, you are not required to secure a license. However, you must bring a copy of your valid license to the Commissioner of the Revenue, so that you may be eligible for exempt status. Out of state contractors If you are a contractor whose office is located outside the Commonwealth of Virginia, you are required to secure a County Business License.

If you bid or perform a job in excess of $1,000 but less than $7,500 you must secure a State Contractor's Class C If you bid or perform a job in excess of $7,500 but less than $70,000 you must secure a State Contractor's Class B If you bid on or perform jobs in excess of $70,000 in any one calendar year, you must secure a State Contractor's Class A License. The State requires that certain tradesmen such as plumbers, electricians, gas, and steam pipe fitters, etc. be tested as part of the state licensure process.

If you are an out of town or out of state contractor, you must get your license prior to the first day you begin work. If you have an office in the County of Goochland, you are required to renew your license by March 1st of each year.

Building Permits Inspections (804) 556-5815 Business Licenses Commissioner of Revenue (804) 556-5807 Planning and Zoning (804) 556-5860 State Contractor's License State Board for Contractors (800) 522-3016 or (804) 367-8511

The Board of Supervisors establishes a personal property tax rate each year. The tax rate may vary according to category.

Yes, you must file a physically handicapped form by March 1st of each tax year. You are required to list out the equipment that has been installed in the motor vehicle for modification. There is a reduced tax rate applied to the vehicle’s assessed value to determine the tax.

Yes, you must file a tax reduction form for fire/rescue for by March 1 of each tax year. There is a reduced tax rate applied to the vehicle’s assessed value to determine the tax.

If your home of record is Goochland, Virginia then your vehicle(s) is subject to personal property tax in Goochland County, regardless of where the vehicle is garaged during active military service.

If your home of record is not Virginia, and your car is registered in Goochland County, you must provide our office with a Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) for January of the appropriate tax year to qualify for the military exemption. If you move your vehicle registration to Goochland County during the tax year you'll need to provide a current (LES).

Yes, if ALL of the following criteria are met: 1. One owner is an active-duty military service member, and the co-owner is the military service member’s spouse. 2. The active-duty military service member’s home of record is NOT Virginia. 3. The spouse resides here in Goochland County temporarily to be with their military spouse who is here on military orders. 4. Must maintain a legal residence in your home state.

Yes, if ALL of the following criteria are met: 1. The owner of the vehicle is the spouse of an active-duty military service member. 2. The active-duty military service member’s home of record is NOT Virginia. 3. The spouse resides here in Goochland County temporarily to be with their military spouse who is here on military orders. 4. Must maintain a legal residence in your home state.

No, to qualify for the tax exemption you must be a duly designated ecclesiastical officer of a particular church, religious association or denomination, AND the vehicle must be used predominately for church purposes

Proration is the method of taxation on a monthly basis for the portion of the calendar year personal property is owned and/or located in the jurisdiction. Goochland prorates vehicles, motorcycles and recreational vehicles. All other property is not prorated (i.e. boats, mobile homes, business equipment, etc.).

All address changes need to be made at the Commissioner of the Revenue Office for billing purposes. If your bill goes to the wrong address due to incorrect address information, you will not be exempt from any penalties or interest that may accrue. It is the responsibility of the taxpayer to contact the Commissioner of the Revenue's Office. You must contact the Treasurer's Office if you do not receive your bill.

There is a tax relief program offered. You must call the Commissioner of the Revenue’s office for more information at (804) 556-5807. There are certain program requirements which need to be met before applying.

On January 1, 2011, the General Assembly enacted an amendment to the Code of Virginia allowing for tax exemption on real property for qualified veterans that are 100% service-connected, permanent and totally disabled, or surviving spouse. In order to qualify for this exemption, the veteran must present to the Commissioner of the Revenue the following documentation: NEW: On July 15, 2011, Virginia Attorney General, Kenneth T. Cuccinelli II, opined that "if a veteran receives a 100% service-connected, permanent, and total disability rating from the VA for any reason, the tax exemption will apply". • A letter from the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) stating 100% service-connected, permanent and total disability. The veteran must request the letter of disability from the VA office; it will not automatically be provided. The VA has created a form, VA Form 21-4138, that may be used for this request. • A written statement indicating the name of the disabled veteran and spouse, if applicable, as well as indicating whether the real property is jointly owned by a husband and wife and certifying that the real property is occupied as the veteran’s principal place of residence. In lieu of the written statement, the veteran may complete our online application. For more information or assistance, you may contact our office at (804)556-5807. To view the complete amendment to the Code of Virginia regarding this tax relief, please visit the Virginia's Legislative Information System website.

Beginning on January 1, 2015, if you are a surviving spouse of a veteran who has been killed in action, you may be eligible to be exempted from real estate taxes on your home and up to (1) one acre of land in Virginia, as long as it is your principal residence. The exemption applies to a dwelling with an assessed value in the most recently ended tax year that does not exceed the average assessed value for such year for dwellings in the locality that are zoned as single family residential. The January 1, 2015 average assessed value is $356,937. You are not eligible for this tax exemption if you have remarried. You must fill out the application and provide the requested documentation in order to receive your tax exemption. The Goochland County Commissioner of the Revenue Office will review your application and contact you directly if more information is required. Otherwise, you will receive written certification once your application and exemption have been approved. If your real estate taxes are paid through your mortgage lender, you will need to contact your mortgage company and send a copy of the exemption certification. For more information, contact the Commissioner of the Revenue’s Office at (804) 556-5807.

Yes, short term rental is all tangible personal property held for rental and owned by a person certified to engage in the short-term rental business. Contact the Commissioner of the Revenue’s office for more detailed information at (804) 556-5807.

Sec. 13-265. – Levy; amount. Pursuant to the provisions of Section 58.1-3819 of the Code of Virginia, there is hereby levied and imposed, in addition to all other taxes and fees of every kind now imposed by law, on each transient, a tax of two (2) percent of the amount paid for lodging by or for such transient to any hotel, motel, boardinghouse, travel campground, or other facilities offering guest rooms. Such tax shall be collected from such transient at the time and in the manner provided by this article.

Yes, we have the state income tax and a limited supply of federal forms

Commissioner of the Revenue, PO Box 60, Goochland, VA 23063

Must be postmarked by May 1st

Accelerated refunds within 4-7 days—Regular returns within 6-8 weeks

Treasurer, Goochland County