MC could get $1.3 million car tax windfall

Supervisors to consider rebating some of the unexpected funds to Middlesex County taxpayers

by Larry Chowning –

The Middlesex County Board of Supervisors (MCBS) voted unanimously at a board retreat at the Deltaville Maritime Museum on Friday to extend the tax due date on personal property taxes from Dec. 5 to Feb. 6, 2023 — or stated another way, 60 days.

The board is also going to consider a tax rebate for taxpayers on vehicles, RVs and boats at its Dec. 6 regular board meeting. Most of the concern by supervisors, however, was directed toward skyrocketing increased values on trucks and cars.

If there is no rebate given, the county will have a tax windfall of $1.8 million in additional revenues in the FY 2022/2023 fiscal budget from cars, RVs and boats. These are unanticipated funds that have not been budgeted.

At a $2.60 personal property tax rate per $100 of value on vehicles, the county collected $3,422,365 last year. The estimated increase for this year is projected to bring in $4,763,904 from the vehicle tax.

“We need to do something,” said Harmony Village Supervisor Reggie Williams. “Taxes on newer cars have gone up 25% to 30% and it was not our intent to generate $1.3 million on the backs of vehicle owners.”

The issue, however, is a statewide concern, said county administrator Matt Walker.

“Bedford County is going to give rebates back to its vehicle taxpayers,” he said. “We probably need to fashion our rebates on vehicles the way they (Bedford County) end up doing it.”