Virginia Loggers Receive Tax Relief

Following passage of a state law giving local governments the option, Virginia loggers are working with counties and other jurisdictions to adopt language exempting logging equipment and machinery from taxation—just as farming and agricultural equipment already is. Previously under Virginia’s commercial code, logging equipment was listed as “unlicensed machinery” and subject to state and local taxes. Since the new law went into effect, localities can now exempt logging equipment from taxation.

According to Virginia Loggers Assn. (VLA) Executive Director Ron Jenkins, VLA is now following up with counties and localities to make sure the exemption is included in next year’s budgets. The law went into effect this year after many budgets were already finalized. VLA Vice President Chad Shelton reports his county, Pittsylvania, was able to add the exemption this year, and he encourages other loggers to begin working with county supervisors and other officials.