The office of the Commissioner of the Revenue is established by the Constitution of Virginia. The Commissioner is elected every 4 years to serve as the chief assessing officer of a locality.

Typically, the duties of the Commissioner are as follows:

• Registering Personal Property
  Personal property includes cars, trucks, motorcycles, trailers and boats. Businesses also pay tax on personal property used in a trade or business, including but not limited to furniture, fixtures, machinery and other equipment.

• Assessing Personal Property
  According to the Code of Virginia, personal property when assessed for taxation, must be assessed at fair market value. Annually, using pricing guides like N.A.D.A. and tables based on purchase prices the Commissioner will assess over 150,000 items.

• Administering Business Taxes
  Business taxes include business license, business personal property, machinery & tools and excise taxes.

• Administering Public Service Corporation Taxes
  Public service corporations include power companies, phone companies and railroads. These taxes are assessed in cooperation with the State Corporation Commission and the Virginia Department of Taxation and billed every 6 months.

• Tax Relief for Elderly and Disabled
  Our office helps Hampton residents file for real estate tax relief.

• Preparing Virginia Income Tax Returns
  Each year our office prepares and electronically files Virginia tax returns for Hampton residents. This service is provided at no charge to the taxpayer.

Ross A. Mugler, CCR

Ross has served the citizens of the City of Hampton since elected as Commissioner of the Revenue in 1992. From 1985 until his election as Commissioner, Mr. Mugler worked at Newport News Shipbuilding in the Finance and Marketing Divisions. In addition, he currently is serving as Rector of Old Dominion University.

Education

• Masters in Public Administration, Old Dominion University (2003)
• The National Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration, Phi Alpha Alpha (2004)
• The National Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi (2003)
• BS, Business Administration from Old Dominion University (1984)
• Master Commissioner of the Revenue, Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service, University of Virginia (2005)
• Civic Leadership Institute, Hampton Roads (2005)
• Certified Commissioner of the Revenue, University of Virginia (1995)
• Kecoughtan High School (1980)

Other Government Service

• Old Dominion University Board of Visitors - Rector
• City of Hampton - Hampton 2010 Celebration Committee (2003 - Present)
• Virginia Commission on State / Local Government Responsibility and Taxing Authority. (1995 - 1997)
• Vice President, Virginia Commissioners of Revenue Association
• Virginia Peninsula Economic Development Council - Executive Board - Member (1987 - 1992)
• Hampton Youth Commission, Member (1985 - 1987)

Community Involvement

• Thomas Nelson Community College, Education Foundation - President
• Hampton Democratic Committee - Member
• Sorenson Institute for Political Leadership, University of Virginia - Vice Chairman Hampton Regional Board
• Member of Samuel P. Langley PTA
• The Volunteer Center of the Virginia Peninsula - Board of Directors
• Hampton Arts Foundation - Chairman
• Hampton City Schools Foundation - Board of Directors

Professional Organizations

• American Society For Public Administration - Member
• International Association of Assessing Officers - Member
• Virginia Association of Assessing Officers - Member
• Virginia Association of Local Elected Constitutional Officers - Member

Past Activities

• Hampton Roads Commissioners of Revenue Association - President
• Peninsula Command of the Salvation Army - Board of Directors
• Marching Elites - Board of Directors
• Hampton History Museum - Steering Committee
• Virginia Air and Space Museum - Capital Campaign Committee
• Virginia Peninsula Economic Development Council - Executive Board
• Phoebus Civic Association - President
• Hampton Federation of Civic Leagues - President
• Wythe Neighborhood Association - Member
• Renovation of the American Theater - Steering Committee
• The Foundation for Virginia - Board of Directors
• Downtown Hampton Kiwanis Club - Charter President
• Old Dominion University Alumni Association - Vice President of Government Relations

Personal

• Married to Martha Martin Mugler; they have three children and attend First Methodist Church in Hampton.