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1. Does the Commissioner of the Revenue collect taxes?

The Treasurer's office collects taxes. The Commissioner's office assesses and reassesses property and generates the personal property and real estate books. It is the Treasurer's responsibility to prepare tax bills and collect tax money.

2. Does the Commissioner of the Revenue have the authority to make law and public policy decisions?

The Commissioner of the Revenue is not a legislative position. The Commissioner implements legislation passed either by the State Legislature or by the Board of Supervisors but does not have the authority to pass any legislation.

3. Does the Commissioner's Office raise taxes?

The Commissioner of the Revenue's office does not set tax rates. It is the responsibility of the Board of Supervisors to set personal property and real estate tax rates. The Commissioner's office reassesses real estate every two years to ensure your property is assessed as fairly, equitably and accurately as possible. Sec. 58.1-3201 of the Virginia tax code requires localities to assess Real Estate at 100% of fair market value. Accuracy in assessments is very important. If assessments fall too far below market value, state funding can be reduced or ultimately denied.

4. My property value increased. Does that mean my tax bill will increase?

No. Your assessment is only used to distribute the tax burden. The Board of Supervisors, through the tax rate, creates the tax burden. The tax rate will be set in April. The reassessment ensures that the burden is distributed fairly and equitably.

5. Can I use the current tax rate to estimate my tax bill?

No. Once a reassessment is completed the tax rate is automatically adjusted to offset the effects of the reassessment and ensure that the real estate tax base does not increase by more than 1% over the previous year. This rate is referred to as the effective tax rate. (Code of Virginia 58.1-3321) The Board of Supervisors can only increase the tax rate above the effective rate if they hold a public hearing.

6. Why am I receiving a reassessment notice?

The Stafford County code requires the Commissioner of the Revenue to reassess property every two years. Property is to be assessed at 100% of the fair market value. (Article X Sec. 2 Constitution of Virginia)

7. What happens if the county does not assess real property at or near fair market value?

A number of state funding sources are tied to the accuracy of property assessments. If assessments fall too far below market value state funding can be reduced or even withheld.