Boaters Get Fuel Tax Break from Virginia

Recreational boaters who buy fuel in the Commonwealth of Virginia can once again get refunds on the state taxes they pay for marine diesel and gasoline, said BoatU.S., the nation's largest organization of recreational boaters.

As of July 1, 2000, boaters buying at least five gallons of fuel at a time in Virginia can get a tax refund of 17-1/2 cents per gallon on gasoline and 16 cents per gallon on diesel fuel. The boaters themselves do not have to be Virginia residents to qualify for the refund.

Boaters wanting refunds need to save their fuel receipts and include them when applying for a refund, and they must certify that the fuel was used for a boat. "We will do spot checks to make sure people are complying with this stipulation," said Ernestine Barrett of the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.

Boaters can pick up their refund applications at any Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office or get the form on the Internet. To do this, go to www.dmv.state.va.us, then click on "forms," then "other" for fuel tax form FT 216.

Until 1990, recreational boaters were able to receive a refund on Virginia fuel taxes. Since then, taxes paid by boaters have been diverted to the general fund. The Commonwealth of Virginia applies other boating fees, including registration, licensing and boat sales taxes, to state boating projects.

For specific questions regarding the tax refund, please call Ernestine Barrett at DMV, 804-367-1831, or e-mail her at dmvesb@dmv.state.va.us.

Posted: 8-23-2000