City of Radford - Treasurer's Office

Office Hours:
Monday thru Friday
8:30 am till 5:00 pm
(except on Holidays)
Phone Number:
(540)731-3661
Fax Number:
(540) 731-4496
Email:
treasurer@radford.va.us

Radford City utility bills are mailed out approximately the 5th of the month. They are due around the 20th of each month.

Most cities and counties of Virginia require a county decal to be displayed on the front windshield of each vehicle next to the State inspection sticker. All personal property taxes must be paid before a decal is issued for any vehicles registered to that owner.

If you own a car, truck, bus, motorcycle, boat or trailer and reside in the City of Radford, you must register your vehicle. City decals renew May 1st of each year. If you purchase a new vehicle or bring a vehicle into the City of Radford, you will need to purchase a City Decal. Present the valid state registration for each vehicle to the Treasurer's Office for registration and a decal will be issued.

Vehicles over 10,000 pounds are charged more based upon the gross weight of the vehicle.

*On August 27, 2001 City Council imposed Ordinance #1389 to add a one dollar ($1.00) fee per motor vehicle, trailer and semi-trailer for the purpose of funding the Volunteer Firefighters and Rescue Squad Workers Service Award Fund.

After May 31st, decals are prorated according to when the vehicle was moved into the City or when the vehicle was purchased.

City of Radford Police will ticket all vehicles garaged, stored, or parked in the City which do not display a valid City of Radford decal. Furthermore, due to a new City Ordinance adopted by City Council August 14, 2000 the fine for not having a city decal has increased from $10.00 to $50.00.

The Personal Property Tax Relief Act of 1997 provides tax relief for vehicles locally registered within the Commonwealth of Virginia that qualify. The tax on the first $20,000 of value of your personal car, motorcycle, and pickup or panel truck under 10,000 pounds has been reduced by 27.5% for tax year 1999. For the year 2005 the amount of reduction on personal property taxes is holding at 70%, but this may change as the year progresses. For qualifying vehicles valued at $1,000 or less, the obligation to pay this tax has been eliminated.

Personal property taxes for the City of Radford are due December 5th of each year. There is a penalty required by the Virginia State Code for late payment of taxes. This penalty is 10% or $10, whichever is greater, but not to exceed the amount of the tax. The Treasurer is also required by the code to collect interest at an annual rate of 10% until payment is made.

The Personal Property Tax Relief Act of 1998 provides tax relief for any passenger car, motorcycle, or pickup or panel truck having a registered gross weight of less than 7,501 pounds. The vehicle must be owned or leased by an individual and NOT used for business purposes. A vehicle is considered to be used for business purposes if:

* More than 50% of the mileage for the year is used as a business expense for Federal Income Tax purpose OR reimbursed by an employer;

* More than 50% of the depreciation associated with the vehicle is deducted as a business expense for Federal Income Tax;

* The cost of the vehicle is expensed pursuant to Section 179 of the Internal Revenue Service Code; or

* The vehicle is leased by an individual and the leasing company pays the tax without reimbursement from the individual.

Vehicles qualified for tax relief are noted on your tax bill and show a reduction for the portion of the tax the Commonwealth will pay. For qualified vehicles, your tax bill is reduced by the applicable tax relief percentage for the tax year on the first $20,000 of value. The City of Radford will be reimbursed by the Commonwealth for the amount of the reduction once you have paid the balance due shown on your bill. Tax relief is calculated using the City of Radford's effective tax rate in effect August 1, 1997.

If you have any questions, please contact the Treasurer's Office at (540) 731-3661.

If your dog is more than six months old, it must be vaccinated against rabies and licensed with the City. This is required by Virginia Law and the Code of Radford City. Present the current valid rabies certificate to the Treasurer's Office and a dog tag will be issued.

Assessments are determined by the Assessors Office every four years based upon the fair market value as of January 1st of that year.

All real property in the City of Radford is subject to taxation, except that which is specifically exempt. Property is assessed as of January 1st of each year by the Commissioner of the Revenue. The City of Radford City Council sets the tax rate each year. The rate for the year 2005 is $.73 per $100 of the assessed value. Payment is made to the Treasurer's Office in two installments due June 5th and December 5th.

Under Virginia Law, failure to receive a tax bill will not relieve the penalty and interest charge that must be applied to all past due bills. The postmark applied by the U.S. Postal Service to envelopes containing payment is used to determine timeliness for mailed payments.

Certain property owned by the County or State, property specifically exempted by statute or by determination of the Commissioner of the Revenue for religious, charitable, patriotic, historical, benevolent, cultural or recreational uses; certain property owned by foreign governments; and certain family cemeteries are exempt from real estate taxes. All requests for tax exemption should be sent in writing to:

Radford City residents aged 65 or over and certain disabled persons may be eligible for exemption and/or deferral of real estate tax depending upon their annual income and assets (not including the value of the home). Applications for tax relief must be filed each year. Further information on the program is available by calling (540) 731-3613.

Anyone who owns property or acquires additional property, excluding those with exemptions or deferrals or those who maintain an escrow account with a mortgage company, should receive a tax bill approximately four weeks prior to the due dates of June 5th and December 5th. If you do not receive a bill, contact the Treasurer's Office before the due date at (540) 731-3661. The appropriate information can be given over the telephone. It is preferable, but not necessary to have the bill or a copy of the bill in order to make payment.

If you maintain an escrow account with a mortgage company, your mortgage company remits payment for your taxes. However, if you do pay into escrow yet receive a bill, forward the bill to the mortgage company. You should ask them to request, in writing, the bill from the Treasurer's Office for future billings. It is the mortgage company's responsibility to request a tax bill for payment of your taxes and the homeowner's responsibility to ensure that the taxes are paid on time.

If the mortgage company fails to make the request in time for the due date, a late penalty and interest will be added to any bill not paid by the due date. It should also be noted that even though it is preferable to have the original or a copy of the bill, is not necessary for payment.

Under Virginia Law, real property is assessed for the entire year in the name of the owner as of January 1st of the year. The purchaser at a sale is required to see that the proceeds from the sale are applied at settlement to any taxes and levies assessed on the real estate. The liability is prorated between the buyer and the seller but the lien which arises from a delinquency attaches to the land.

If you buy property, your settlement attorney must ascertain that all taxes due and prorates them for payment out of settlement. If you have sold the property referred on the tax bill and another person has assumed responsibility for payment, please forward the bill promptly to that person or return it to the Treasurer's Office with information as to the new owner. A delay on your part in this regard may require the new owner to pay a penalty and interest on a late payment.

If there has been a change in your address, your loan is paid off or any other change pertaining to the tax billing status occurs, contact the Treasurer's Office at (540) 731-3661 so that the record can be updated and the bill mailed to the correct address for future billings.

These can also be paid via credit card.

All cities and counties in Virginia have personal property taxes. The City of Radford taxes cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, motor homes, trailers, and boats. This tax is assessed by the Commissioner of the Revenue while taxes are paid to the Treasurer.

Vehicles registered in the City of Radford will be taxed. Vehicles not registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles are also subject to tax if the vehicle is normally garaged, stored, or parked in the City with the exception of those exempted by law.

Virginia personal property tax is assessed by the Commissioner of the Revenue. Assessments are based on the average value of similar vehicles as listed in pricing guides such as the N.A.D.A (National Automobile Dealers Association) used car guide. Personal Property tax rates are set annually by the City of Radford City council. Currently, the rate is $2.44 per $100 of the vehicle's assessed value.

The Personal Property Tax Relief Act of 1997 provides tax relief for vehicles locally registered within the Commonwealth of Virginia that qualify. The tax on the first $20,000 of value of your personal car, motorcycle, and pickup or panel truck under 10,000 pounds has been reduced by 27.5% for tax year 1999. For the year 2002 the amount of reduction on personal property taxes is holding at 70%, but this may change as the year progresses. The tax relief is only calculated against $2.14 per $100.00 of assessed value. The additional $.30 of the tax rate does not qualify for tax relief and is calculated against the full amount of assessed value of the personal property.

* More than 50% of the mileage for the year is used as a business expense for Federal Income Tax purpose OR reimbursed by an employer;

* More than 50% of the depreciation associated with the vehicle is deducted as a business expense for Federal Income Tax;

* The cost of the vehicle is expensed pursuant to Section 179 of the Internal Revenue Service Code; or

* The vehicle is leased by an individual and the leasing company pays the tax without reimbursement from the individual.

Vehicles qualified for tax relief are noted on your tax bill and show a reduction for the portion of the tax the Commonwealth will pay. For qualified vehicles, your tax bill is reduced by the applicable tax relief percentage for the tax year on the first $20,000 of value. The City of Radford will be reimbursed by the Commonwealth for the amount of the reduction once you have paid the balance due shown on your bill. If your qualifying vehicle's assessed value is $1,000 or less, your tax has been eliminated however this tax relief is calculated using the City of Radford's effective tax rate in effect August 1, 1997.

You are required to certify annually to the City of Radford that your vehicle remains qualified to receive car tax relief. Therefore, it is important that you review the information sent to you by your locality to be sure that your vehicles are properly qualified. This information may be included on items such as personal property tax returns, decal applications or tax bills. If your vehicle is improperly qualified or you are uncertain whether your vehicle would be eligible for car tax relief because it is used part of the time for business purposes, contact the City of Radford Commissioner's Office at 540-731-3613. When you display your City of Radford decal and pay your taxes on qualified vehicles, you are certifying to the City of Radford that your vehicle has been qualified correctly.

Credit Card Payments Back to Top

In order to pay personal property taxes , real estate taxes or utility bills by credit card, you will be using Official Payments Corporation. They are an independent payment service. Official Payments sets it own schedule of fees charged for each credit card transaction and these are not influenced by the City of Radford in any way.