Q: Where can I get a vehicle decal?
A: All vehicle owners living in Harrisonburg are required to display a current vehicle decal on the windshield of their vehicle. Complete the following steps to report your vehicle and purchase a vehicle decal: 

1. Report your vehicle to the Commissioner of Revenue’s office in room 102 at the Municipal Building downtown. Please visit our office with the following papers in order to report your vehicle:
a. DMV Registration
b. Social Security card of each owner
Please note: There is no cost involved in reporting your vehicle

2. After reporting your vehicle, you may purchase the vehicle decal for $29.50 in the Treasurer’s office, room 106 in the same building. Please pay with cash or check only. Please note that decals purchased between October 1 and February 15 will be $14.75.

Q: When do I need to renew my vehicle decal?
A: New vehicle decals are available around February 15 of each year, and must be displayed by March 31. A renewal form will be mailed before February 15 to all residents who had previously reported their vehicle.

Q: How soon after moving to Harrisonburg do I need to report my vehicle and display the decal?
A: You should report your vehicle and display your decal within 30 days of moving into Harrisonburg.

Q: What do I need to do when I move away from Harrisonburg?
A: If you move away from Harrisonburg between January 1 and March 31, you will still need to report your vehicle even though you will not need a new decal. If you move after March 31, you will need to do both, report your vehicle and purchase a new decal.

Q: How do I get to the Municipal Building where the Commissioner of Revenue’s office is located?
A: The Municipal Building is located at 345 S. Main St. Please refer to the downtown map for more information.

Q: Which vehicles need to be reported and have a decal?
A: All vehicles that are driven or parked on public roads at any time need to have a vehicle decal. This includes but is not limited to cars, motor homes, trucks, trailers, campers, and motorcycles. Vehicles that are not driven and/or parked on public roads are not required to have a decal.  However they still must be reported to the Commissioner of the Revenue on the Combined Personal Property / Decal Form. You will receive this form yearly in the mail or you may visit the office.  Vehicles with 30 day tags are not required to display a vehicle decal.

Q: What if I already have a decal from another Virginia locality?
A: Current decals from other Virginia localities are valid until new decals are made available on February 15. However, it is still important to report your vehicle to the Commissioner of the Revenue in the Municipal Building within 30 days of relocating to Harrisonburg.

Q: What will happen if I don’t report my vehicle by March 31?
A: If your vehicle is subject to the personal property tax, and is not reported by March 31 on the Combined Personal Property / Decal Form, a 10% ($10 min.) fee is charged and will be added to the personal property tax bill.

Q: When is the personal property tax bill due?
A: December 5 of each year.

Q: What vehicles ARE subject to the personal property tax?
A: All vehicles that are owned in the city on January 1 are subject to personal property tax.

Q: What vehicles ARE NOT subject to the personal property tax?
A: Any vehicle purchased after January 1 of the tax year.

Q: Is the personal property tax pro-rated?
A: No. Vehicles owned on January 1 in Harrisonburg will be taxed for the full year.

Q: Does my vehicle qualify for Car Tax Relief?
A: If you can answer YES to any of the following questions, your motor vehicle is considered by State Law to have a business use and does NOT qualify for Car Tax Relief. 

• Is more than 50% of the mileage for the year used as a business expense for Federal Income Tax purposes OR reimbursed by an employer?
• Is more than 50% of the depreciation associated with the vehicle deducted as a business expense for Federal Income Tax purposes?
• Is the cost of the vehicle expensed pursuant to Section 179 of the Internal Revenue Service Code?
• Is the vehicle leased by an individual and the leasing company pays the tax without reimbursement from the individual?

Q: What is Personal Property Tax Relief?
A: The Commonwealth of Virginia provides funding for tax relief for passenger car, motorcycles, and pickup or panel trucks having a registered gross weight of less than 7,501 pounds. To qualify, a vehicle must be owned by an individual or leased by an individual under a contract requiring the individuals to pay the personal property tax; AND be used less than 50% for business purposes.
Motor homes, trailers and farm use vehicles do not qualify for tax relief.