Welcome!

The Office of the Commissioner of the Revenue appraises and assesses for taxation all real property in the City, assesses individual and business personal property taxes, issues business licenses, assists citizens with filing Virginia income taxes, administers special taxes on meals, lodging, admissions, utility services, and mobile communications, and administers the City's real estate tax relief and exemption programs and the land use special assessment program.

As a state Constitutional Officer, the Virginia General Assembly first created the position of Commissioner of the Revenue in 1786. The Commissioner of the Revenue is elected by the citizens of Harrisonburg to a four-year term of office and serves at the pleasure of the voters. The Commissioner of the Revenue holds office as an agent of the Commonwealth of Virginia, as well as local governments, and is the assessing officer on the local level for those taxes and licenses prescribed by state law and local ordinance.