City of Richmond Disabled Veteran Vehicle Tax Exemption

Richmond exempts one vehicle owned and used mainly by or for a veteran rated 100% service-connected, permanent, and total, and asks for a new certification every year, which it attributes to a statute that does not require one.

Also called: car tax, personal property, vehicle tax, Richmond car tax.

For: Veteran or service member.

Where it applies

Written for the jurisdictions listed here.

City of Richmond, VACity

The Department of Finance applies the statewide one-vehicle exemption on its Disabled Veteran Motor Vehicle Exemption Certification, with a VA letter showing a 100 percent service-connected, permanent, and total disability and the date it was determined. One vehicle owned and used primarily by or for the veteran is exempt. There is no filing deadline; the exemption starts on the date the vehicle is acquired or January 1 of the tax year, whichever is later. It ends at the veteran's death. The Finance FAQ says the certification has to be completed every year "per the Code of Virginia §58.1-3668". That section says no such thing. It lets a locality "establish procedures for a veteran to apply", so the yearly form is Richmond's own procedure. File it each year to avoid a bill, but the statute sets no annual requirement.

Thresholds

Thresholds for City of Richmond Disabled Veteran Vehicle Tax Exemption
Gate	Rule
100% permanent and total	One vehicle owned and used mainly by or for the veteran. Richmond asks for a VA letter showing a 100% service-connected, permanent, and total disability, each year. One path is a VA rating of 100% that is service-connected, permanent, and total.
Permanent and total on the 100% path	The 100% rating has to be permanent and total. A 100% rating VA has not made permanent does not meet this path.
Individual unemployability	The other path is a total disability rating based on individual unemployability that VA has also rated permanent and total.
Permanent and total on the unemployability path	Individual unemployability qualifies on this path only when VA has rated the disability permanent and total.

Sources

Updated

Last updated 2026-09-30.

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Disclaimer

VetTOC is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense. Information is for reference only and is not an eligibility determination. Verify with VA, the relevant state or territory, or an accredited VSO.