Unexpected Windfall: I Got a Check From the DMV

It seems that the Virginia government had been illegally taxing residents in Northern Virginia under some “Congestion Tax” racket. The Northern Virginia Transit Authority were collecting fees without constitutional authority, including a 1% surcharge for any new vehicle purchased. As I had recently bought a new car this year with my Federal tax returns, I was a victim of this aggressive taxation.

The problem is, I had no idea I had even paid this money. So imagine my surprise when I get a check from the Dark Overlords at the Department of Motor Vehicles for almost 200 bucks! Woo Hoo! Eat me, Tim Kaine, you toad.

From the WaPo here:

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) signed a bill that sets up a process to issue refund checks to people who paid taxes levied by the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, taxes that were later ruled unconstitutional by the Virginia Supreme Court.

The NVTA collected seven taxes and fees in Northern Virginia: a tax on home sellers; a 1 percent initial vehicle registration fee; a $10 regional registration fee; a 2 percent car-rental tax; a 2 percent hotel tax; a $10 safety inspection fee; and a 5 percent sales tax on motor vehicle repairs.

The Department of Motor Vehicles will send out refund checks directly. The other fees will be sent to the unclaimed property division of the Treasury Department, which will publish its refund guidelines by April 1. Information will be updated at http://www.trs.virginia.gov. After April 1, taxpayers can call 804-278-0187.

It should be important to note that many businesses in the NOVA area paid for hotel and rental car stays for business persons. That’s potentially lots of cash waiting for a refund.