Due Dates
Taxes
The City Council of Buena Vista sets the tax rates for personal property and real estate taxes. This process takes place when the City is preparing the total budget for the upcoming fiscal year and is normally completed in May.
How to Pay
Payment may be made by cash, check, or money order to the Treasurer’s office, located at the Buena Vista municipal building, 2039 Sycamore Ave., Buena Vista, VA 24416, by:
- In-person
- Drop box at the back of the building
For questions about your bills, contact the Commissioner of Revenue’s office: CONTACT
For questions about how to pay, contact the Treasurer’s office: CONTACT
Tax Rates & Due Dates
City Decals must be renewed each year. They go on sale from February 1st–March 1st.
Personal Property:
- Rate-$5.85 / $100.00
- Due Dates–June 5th (First Half), December 5th (Second Half)
Real Estate:
- Rate-$1.27 / $100.00
- Due Dates–December 5th (First Half), June 5th (Second Half)
*If a tax due date falls on a weekend or holiday, the due date is the next business day.
Late or Delinquent Taxes
Real estate tax payments not received or postmarked by the due date are consideredTaxpayers have a duty to know due dates and pay on time. If no bill is received, that duty includes contacting the taxing authority prior to the due date and paying on time (1981-82 Report of the Atty. Gen. 393, March 25, 1982).
Late Payment Penalty and Interest:
The late payment penalty is 10% of the unpaid balance if payment is received after the due date. Interest, at the annual rate of 10%, begins to accrue on the remaining unpaid taxes, excluding the Commonwealth’s share of personal property taxes. Penalty and interest cannot be waived:
- because the taxpayer did not know the deadline or misread the deadline on the tax bill (1987-99 Report of the Atty. Gen. 559, Augusta 22, 1988);
- because the taxpayer did not receive a bill (1970-71 Report of the Atty. Gen. 373, March 31, 1971);
- because the bill was mailed to the wrong address (1981-82 Report of the Atty. Gen. 393, March 25, 1982);
- because the bill was incorrect (1986-87 Report of the Atty. Gen. 321, July 31, 1986); or
- because the taxpayer received erroneous information from City staff, whether in person or over the phone (1981-82 Report of the Atty. Gen 350, May 13, 1982).
Late payment penalty and interest may be waived:
- If the lateness was due to a medically determinable physical or mental impairment on the due date, provided payment is made within 30 days of the due date; or
- If the Commissioner abates the underlying tax or certifies that the taxpayer was not assessed in a timely manner due to a clerical error by the Commissioner’s staff, or if the late payment was due solely to the fault of the Treasurer or Commissioner of Revenue.
If you are unable to pay your taxes in full by the specified deadline due to financial difficulties, you may make payment arrangements with the Treasurer’s Office. Please contact the Treasurer’s Office for further information about setting up a payment arrangement. Please note that making a payment arrangement does not relieve the penalty for late payment, nor does it stop the accrual of interest on the account in question.
For questions about your bills, contact the Commissioner of Revenue’s office:
Commissioner of the Revenue
Ashton Dorton
540-261-8611
For questions about how to pay, contact the Treasurer’s office:
Treasurer
Amarilis “Amy” Hudson
540-261-8620