City of Hampton, Assessments and Collections

Real Estate Tax Relief

The City of Hampton offers three programs for tax relief:

Tax Relief for Elderly and Disabled

Minimum qualifications include:

Be at least 65 years of age or permanently and totally disabled on or before December 31st of the year immediately preceding the year in which you are applying for tax relief.
Own and occupy the dwelling on or before January 1st of the year you are applying for tax relief. (If the owner is in the hospital, nursing home, or other institution, he/she is still eligible if the dwelling remains as their home and has not been rented to another party. Upon transfer or sale of said property, the amount exempted for the remainder of that year shall become due and payable.)
Have a combined gross household income of $50,000 or less from all sources, including all relatives residing in the house. Each relative, excluding your spouse, may deduct $7,000 from their annual income when figuring income requirements.
Report all financial assets of owners living in the home, excluding the value of the house and up to 10 acre home site of land as follows:

Exemption (Total/Partial) - Income up to $31,000 - assets up to $200,000
Freeze - Income up to $50,000 - assets up to $200,000
Deferral - Income up to $50,000 - assets up to $200,000

Verification of all statements may be required.
Renewal applications will be accepted through the mail, all other applicants may apply during the months of May through August.

Information can be obtained by calling (757) 727-6690.

Land Use (Agricultural deferral)

The Land Use Assessment Program is provided for in the Code of Virginia. The program permits localities to offer a program of special assessments for agricultural and horticultural lands. Properties that qualify for this program are assessed on crop production value rather than speculative market value. The purpose of the program is to encourage the continuation of the city's farming industry, and the retention of aesthetically pleasing natural vistas.

There is a minimum acreage requirement of five acres. Other qualifying conditions and restrictions exists for properties taxed under this program.

Rehabilitation Exemption Programs

The City of Hampton Real Estate Assessor's Office administers a program to encourage both homeowners AND businesses to rehabilitate their properties and not pay full taxes on those improvements for a period of six (6) years. The exemption commences July 1st of the tax quarter immediately following completion of rehabilitation. The exemption is calculated at 100 percent of the rehabilitation credit for the first three (3) years following the commencement of the exemption period and at 50 percent for years four (4) - six (6).

Applicants MUST apply for the exemption prior to the start of a rehabilitation project.

Residential Rehabilitation Program (Basic Requirements)

Structure must be no less than twenty-five (25) years of age.
Rehabilitation must be improved as to increase the assessed value by no less than forty percent (40%).
Total square footage may not increase more than fifteen percent (15%).
All renovations must be completed within one (1) year from being approved in order to qualify for the exemption.
Payment of non-refundable fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) for processing each application.
Abatement continues with conveyance of property.

Commercial/Industrial Rehabilitation Program (Basic Requirements)

Structure must be no less than twenty-five (25) years of age.
Rehabilitation must be improved as to increase the assessed value by no less than sixty percent (60%).
Total square footage may not increase more than twenty-five percent (25%).
All renovations must be completed within eighteen (18) months from being approved in order to qualify for the exemption.
Payment of non-refundable fee of one hundred dollars ($100.00) for processing each application.
Abatement continues with conveyance of property.

Application

Application forms can be obtained by contacting the Office of the Assessor of Real Estate. Please call 311 or (757) 727-8311 for more information.

Application must be filed within five (5) working days after building permits have been issued and prior to any renovations being started.