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Commissioner of the Revenue

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1. Do I need a Business License?

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.

2. Do I need a State 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.

3. How do I get a County License?

Go to the Commissioner of the Revenue's Office, main floor Administration Building, Room 230. Bring with you your State Contractors license. You will be given an application and asked to estimate either your total gross receipts for the project or for the calendar year, depending upon where your office is located.

4. When must I get a County License?

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.

5. Who to Contact (County of Goochland)

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

6. Who sets the personal property tax rate?

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

7. Do I get a tax break for my vehicle being modified for physically handicapped?

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.

8. Do I get a tax break for being a fire/rescue volunteer?

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.

9. Where do I pay personal property taxes if I am in the military and my home of record is Virginia?

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.

10. Where do I pay personal property taxes if I am in the military and my home of record is NOT Virginia?

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).

11. Do I qualify for the military exemption if the vehicle is jointly owned?

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.

12. Does my non-military spouse qualify for the exemption if the vehicle is titled solely in his/her name?

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.

13. Do I qualify for the vehicle tax exemption if I substitute as pastor at churches in the Richmond area?

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

14. What is proration?

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.).

15. Why must I report a change of address to the Commissioner of the Revenue office?

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.

16. Is there a tax relief program for the elderly and/or totally disabled?

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.

17. I am a disabled veteran. How do I apply for tax exemption on my real estate?

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.

18. Do I qualify for tax exemption under the “Surviving Spouse of Veteran Killed in Action”?

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.

19. Does Goochland have a short term rental tax?

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.

20. Does Goochland have a transient occupancy tax?

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.

21. Does the Commissioner of the Revenue’s office have State & Federal returns?

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

22. What address do I use when mailing a Virginia Income Tax Return or Estimated Tax locally?

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

23. When is the Virginia State Income Tax Due?

Must be postmarked by May 1st

24. How quickly can I expect to get my income tax refund?

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

25. If taxes are due, to whom would we make the check payable to?

Treasurer, Goochland County