Finance Department - Frequently Asked Questions Resource
City of Richmond Finance Department – March 2020 COVID-19 Update
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I get answers to questions regarding my personal property tax bill, business license application, tax payments made, etc.?
The best first point of contact is the RVA 311 Call Center (dial 3-1-1), which is presently continuing normal operations. Questions that cannot be answered by 311 staff will be directed to the respective functional area of the Finance Department.
Ordinance 2020-092, which was introduced on March 16th by Mayor Levar Stoney and will be considered by the Richmond City Council, has extended the 2020 Tax Relief deadline from March 31 to April 30. Click here to learn more and apply.
3. I have pressing concerns about my application for 2020 Tax Relief for the Elderly, is there a specific number I can call other than 311?
Yes, taxpayers can call 804-646-6015 (tax relief line).
4. Is the Finance Department actively processing payments sent to them through USPS, UPS, Fed-Ex, and/or online?
Yes, Finance staff is maintaining the most critical services even though we are closed to the public, which include receiving payments and applying them to the respective taxpayer accounts.
5. Is the Finance Department able to accept payments at City Hall while closed to the public?
Yes, payments can be left in the drop box located on the 10th Street side of City Hall. Finance staff will mail a receipt to those customers.
6. Is the Finance Department waiving penalties and interest during the period it is closed to the general public?
No, penalties and interest must be applied per applicable laws. If you have received a tax bill that has become due, please make that payment. If it is determined that you deserve a refund due to erroneous assessment, a refund will be issued at a later date.
7. Is there going to be a 2020 Tax Amnesty program for restaurants and certain other City businesses being negatively impacted by COVID-19?
Mayor Levar Stoney will introduce a tax amnesty ordinance that will be considered by City Council at a subsequent meeting. That ordinance, if approved by Council without amendment, would allow for the waiver of penalty and interest for meals, admission, and transient occupancy taxes for approved program participants for taxes otherwise due on March 20th and some subsequent months.
8. If I submitted my 2020 Business License tax payment recently and have to close my business due to the impact of COVID-19, am I eligible for a refund?
Yes, if a business owner remits payment for an entire tax year and the business is closed during that tax year, they would be eligible for a prorated refund. Currently, a limited number of Finance staff members are actively processing the large volume of business license renewals received the first week of March. If you have questions or concerns please call 3-1-1. Please keep in mind that we cannot provide a refund for payments submitted the first week of March unless your business permanently closes, per Richmond City Code.
9. Is the Finance Department continuing to issue electronic payments and checks to vendors with an approved invoice?
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Yes, essential staff are monitoring the City’s accounts payable functions, and issuing payments to vendors.