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1. Although a City decal will not be issued, will I still be charged a fee?

Yes. Suffolk residents will still be charged a Vehicle License fee. For more information, please contact the Downtown Office at 757-514-4275, or the North Suffolk Office at 757-514-7175.

2. Will I receive a bill in the mail for my Vehicle License Fee?

Yes. The Vehicle License Fee will be included as a separate item on the annual Personal Property tax bills sent by the City Treasurer. For more information, please contact the Downtown Office at 757-514-4275, or the North Suffolk Office at 757-514-7175.

3. How much is the City License Fee?

The amount of the Vehicle License Fee has not changed. The fee is determined by the amount of the vehicle's gross weight. For more information, please contact the Downtown Office at 757-514-4275, or the North Suffolk Office at 757-514-7175.

4. When is the Vehicle License Fee due?

The Vehicle License Fee is due, together with your annual Personal Property taxes, on or before December 5, or as indicated on your tax bill. For more information, please contact the Downtown Office at 757-514-4275, or the North Suffolk Office at 757-514-7175.

5. How do I pay my Vehicle License Fee?

Along with the annual Personal Property taxes, the Vehicle License Fee can be paid by personal check or money order and returned to the City Treasurer by first class mail. From you home, it can be paid online by credit card, or, it can be paid in person at:
441 Market Street
Suffolk, VA 23434

For more information, please contact the Downtown Office at 757-514-4275, or the North Suffolk Office at 757-514-7175.

6. What will happen if I do not pay my Vehicle License Fee on time?

If the Vehicle License Fee is not paid on time, then a late-payment penalty of $10 will be added to the City License Fee. For more information, please contact the Downtown Office at 757-514-4275, or the North Suffolk Office at 757-514-7175.

7. What will happen if I do not pay my Vehicle License Fee in the current year?

If the Vehicle License Fee is not paid in the current year, then, according to Virginia's Attorney General, it will remain due and be collectible. For more information, please contact the Downtown Office at 757-514-4275, or the North Suffolk Office at 757-514-7175.

8. If I have owned my vehicle for two years and never paid a Vehicle License Fee, will I be required to pay for those outstanding years even though there is no longer a City Decal?

Yes, According to Virginia's Attorney General, the City Treasurer is Authorized to charge the owner for outstanding Vehicle License Fees dating back three years. For more information, please contact the Downtown Office at 757-514-4275, or the North Suffolk Office at 757-514-7175.

9. If I receive 100% tax credit under the Personal Property Tax Relief Act for my vehicle, which is valued at $1,000 or less and used for non-business purposes, will I receive a bill for a License Fee?

Yes, the Vehicle License Fee will now be included on the annual Personal Property tax bill. If, due to the PPTRA tax credit, you do not pay Personal Property taxes, you will still receive a bill for the Vehicle License Fee. For more information, please contact the Downtown Office at 757-514-4275, or the North Suffolk Office at 757-514-7175.

10. If I move from Suffolk to another state and/or city, will I receive a refund for my Vehicle License Fee?

No, under the new ordinance, there is no refund for moving from Suffolk or for a disposed of vehicle. As well, there is no transfer of the Vehicle License Fee to a newly acquired vehicle. For more information, please contact the Downtown Office at 757-514-4275, or the North Suffolk Office at 757-514-7175.

11. If I am active-duty military personnel and in Suffolk solely by reason of military orders but my legal residence is in another state other than Virginia, do I have pay the Vehicle License Fee?

No. Active-duty military personnel, who are here solely by reason of military orders and legally reside in a state other than Virginia, are exempt from the Vehicle License Fee upon presentation of their current LES (Leave and Earnings Statement). For more information, please contact the Downtown Office at 757-514-4275, or the North Suffolk Office at 757-514-7175.

12. Who do I notify and how do I inform the City of my exemption?

Active-duty military personnel should notify the Commissioner of the Revenue of the exemption by providing that office with a copy of their LES (Leave and Earnings Statement) as proof of out-of-state residency. As a convenience, active duty military personnel may also send their proof of out-of-state residency via facsimile transmission: 757-514-4270. For more information, please contact the Downtown Office at 757-514-4275. For additional information, please visit the Commissioner of the Revenue page.

13. How will the City know when I purchase another vehicle?

Weekly, the City receives information from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles about newly acquired vehicles garaged in Suffolk. For more information, please contact the Downtown Office at 757-514-4275, or the North Suffolk Office at 757-514-7175. For additional information, please visit the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles page.

14. What events should I notify the Commissioner of the Revenue's office about?

You should notify the Commissioner of the Revenue's office when any of the following events occur:
- Any other change affecting the assessment or levy of Personal Property tax on the motor vehicle, trailer or motorcycle for which a return was previously filed.
- A change in the name or address of the person or persons owning or leasing the motor vehicle, trailer or motorcycle.
- A change in the use of the motor vehicle, trailer, or motorcycle from personal to business use or vice versa.
- Occurrence of an event which causes a motor vehicle, trailer or motorcycle to acquire or lose location.
- A change in ownership due to purchase, acquisition, sale, trade or disposal.

For more information, please visit the Commissioner of the Revenue's page.

15. How long after a change in location or other triggering event should I notify the Commissioner?

After the change in location or other triggering event, you should contact the Commissioner of Revenue's office within 30 days. Any notifications received in the Treasurer's Office will be provided to the Office of the Commissioner of the Revenue.