Do active duty service members pay sales tax on cars in VA?

Yes. Active duty service members are required to pay sales tax on cars in Virginia, regardless of whether the vehicle is purchased from a dealership or from a private seller. However, there is a special exemption that allows active duty service members to avoid paying sales tax on a vehicle that is imported from another state or country. In order to qualify for this exemption, the service member must meet all of the following requirements:

* Be on active duty in Virginia.

* Be a resident of Virginia.

* Have purchased the vehicle from a dealership or private seller outside of Virginia.

* Have paid sales tax on the vehicle in the state or country where it was purchased.

If you meet all of these requirements, you can apply for a sales tax exemption by submitting the following documents to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV):

* A copy of your active duty military orders.

* A copy of your Virginia driver's license or ID card.

* A copy of the sales receipt for the vehicle.

* A copy of the proof of sales tax payment from the state or country where the vehicle was purchased.

Once you have submitted all of the required documents, the DMV will review your application and determine whether you are eligible for the exemption. If you are approved, the DMV will issue you a tax exemption certificate. You will need to present this certificate to the DMV when you register your vehicle in Virginia.