(Contingent expiration date - see Acts 2020, cc. 1241 and 1281) Distribution of recordation tax to cities and counties
Va. Code Ann. § 58.1-816
in effectA. Effective October 1, 1993, $20 million of the taxes imposed under §§ 58.1-801 through 58.1-809 that are actually paid into the state treasury, shall be distributed among the counties and cities of the Commonwealth, except for counties and cities located in Planning District 8, in the manner provided in subsection B. Effective July 1, 1994, such annual distribution shall increase to $40 million. Effective July 1, 2020, such annual distribution shall be $20 million.
B. Subject to any transfer required under § 58.1-816.1 , (i) $20 million of the state taxes distributable under this section shall be deposited annually into the fund established pursuant to § 33.2-2600.1 , and (ii) the remaining amount of state taxes distributable under this section shall be apportioned and distributed quarterly to each county or city, except for those counties or cities located in a transportation district in Hampton Roads created pursuant to § 33.2-1903 , by the Comptroller by multiplying the amount to be distributed by a fraction in which the numerator is the amount of the taxes imposed under §§ 58.1-801 through 58.1-809 and actually paid into the state treasury which are attributable to deeds and other instruments recorded in the county or city and the denominator is the amount of taxes imposed under §§ 58.1-801 through 58.1-809 actually paid into the state treasury. All distributions pursuant to clause (ii) shall be made on a quarterly basis within 30 days of the end of the quarter. Such quarterly distribution shall equal one quarter of the annual distribution amount set forth in subsection A available after the distribution required by clause (i). Each clerk of the court shall certify to the Comptroller, within 15 days after the end of the quarter, all amounts collected under §§ 58.1-801 through 58.1-809 and actually paid into the state treasury which are attributable to deeds and other instruments recorded in such county or city.
C. All moneys distributed pursuant to clause (i) of subsection B shall be used in accordance with § 33.2- 2600.1. All moneys distributed to counties and cities pursuant to clause (ii) of subsection B shall be used for (i) transportation purposes, including, without limitation, construction, administration, operation, improvement, maintenance, and financing of transportation facilities, or (ii) public education.
As used in this section, the term "transportation facilities" shall include all transportation-related facilities, including but not limited to all highway systems, public transportation or mass transit systems as defined in § 33.2-100 , airports as defined in § 5.1-1 , and port facilities as defined in § 62.1-140 . Such term shall be liberally construed for purposes of this section.
D. If any revenues distributed to a county or city under clause (ii) of subsection B are applied or expended for any transportation facilities under the control and jurisdiction of any state agency, board, commission, or authority, such transportation facilities shall be constructed, operated, administered, improved, and maintained in accordance with laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures governing such state agency, board, commission, or authority; however, in the event that these revenues, or a portion thereof, are expended for improving or constructing highways in a county that is subject to the provisions of § 33.2-338 , such expenditures shall be undertaken in the manner prescribed in that statute.
E. In the case of any distribution to a county or city in which an office sharing agreement pursuant to §§ 15.2-1637 and 15.2-3822 is in effect, the Comptroller shall divide the distribution among the office sharing counties and cities. Each clerk of the court acting pursuant to an office sharing agreement shall certify to the Comptroller, within 15 days after the end of the quarter, all amounts collected under §§ 58.1-801 through 58.1-809 and actually paid into the state treasury which are attributable to deeds and other instruments recorded on behalf of each county and city.
1989, c. 713; 1990, c. 821; 1993, c. 391; 2020, cc. 1230 , 1241 , 1275 , 1281 .
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/58.1-816/Fetched: 10/16/2026