[Archived] Attention Alexandria Vehicle Owners: Look on the Back of Your Tax Bill

City Press Release


	City of Alexandria, Virginia Office of the City Manager Alexandria City Hall 301 King Street, Suite 3500 Alexandria, Virginia 22314-3211 www.alexandriava.gov Telephone: 703.838.4300 Fax : 703.838.6343

For Immediate Release
October 6, 2004
PIO 240-04/bg

Attention Alexandria Vehicle Owners:
Look on the Back!

Automobile Decals Should be Removed from Back of Tax Bills and Applied to Front Windshields

Most Alexandria vehicle owners followed the instructions included in the personal property tax bills they received in the mail. However, some vehicle owners did not realize that this year a more efficient process had been implemented by the City. For the first time this year, the automobile windshield decals were attached to the BACK of the tax bills. Alexandrians who “couldn’t find” the window decal should look on the BACK of the bill. The sticker is attached to the bill; it was not placed in the envelope separately. Decals must be placed on car windshields by November 15. Other jurisdictions which also changed their vehicle decal process also reported similar vehicle owner confusion.

For Alexandrians who inadvertently returned the windshield decal with their check and the invoice (bill), the City will mail the decal back to the resident.

The City simplified the vehicle decal process as part of a new customer service initiative, as well as to reduce costs. In previous years, vehicle owners were required to pay personal property taxes before the City issued a vehicle decal. This process required a mass mailing of tax bills followed by a mass mailing of vehicle decals.

This year, if prior year personal property taxes were paid, a red 2004-05 automobile windshield decal was ATTACHED TO THE BACK of the 2004 personal property tax bill. The new decal was redesigned for easy removal from the windshield next year. For easy placement this year, carefully peel the decal from the back of the tax bill and attach it to the inside of the front windshield, � inch to the right of the Virginia safety inspection decal. In addition to the automobile windshield decal, vehicle owners living in a residential parking district also received a residential parking permit decal enclosed with the personal property tax bill. It is very important for vehicle owners living in a residential parking district to attach the automobile decal to the front windshield and the residential parking permit decal to the driver’s side rear bumper.

Owners of motorcycles, trailers and taxis will continue to receive the vehicle decals after payment of the personal property tax, as in previous years. Due to their unique design and numbering, the decals for these vehicles require special handling. Also, Alexandrians with existing tax delinquent amounts will only receive a decal once they have satisfied their tax obligations to the City.
For information on assessments, appeals, late filing penalty, the Personal Property Tax Relief Act, or to request a tax bill, please call the Personal Property Branch at 703-838-4560. For information on payments, late payment penalty and interest, please call the Treasury Division at 703-838-4777. Si usted requiere asistencia en Espanol, por favor al 703-519-6506, extension 693.