Amendment to allow veteran car tax exemption approved in Virginia

Clarence Shields, an Army veteran, pickets with a small group of activists from the American Federation of Government Employees local 424 and the National Association of Government Employees local R3-19 during the coronavirus pandemic, outside the Baltimore VA Medical Center, Wednesday, April 22, 2020, in Baltimore. The Department of Veterans Affairs is struggling with shortages of workers at its health care facilities as it cares for veterans infected with the novel coronavirus. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

by: Alonzo Small

Posted: Nov 3, 2020 / 09:34 PM MST

Updated: Nov 3, 2020 / 09:34 PM MST

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — According to the Associated Press, a veteran vehicle tax exemption has been approved in Virginia.

The proposed amendment asked Virginia voters the following:

Should an automobile or pickup truck that is owned and used primarily by or for a veteran of the United States armed forces or the Virginia National Guard who has a one hundred percent service-connected, permanent, and total disability be free from state and local taxation?
PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT NO. 2

According to the Virginia Department of Elections, a “yes” vote means the Constitution of Virginia will be amended to exempt one automobile or pickup truck that is owned and used primarily by or for a veteran of the United States armed forces or the Virginia National Guard who has a one hundred percent (100%), service-connected, permanent, and total disability from state and local taxation.

Under the acting state law, generally, Virginia’s Constitution required all property to be taxed, with few exemptions.

Under the new proposed law, veteran motor vehicles would be exempt from taxation beginning on the date the veteran gets the motor vehicle or January 1, 2021, whichever is later.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.