There are many ideas regarding how the assessment process should work. Our elected officials write laws that the assessor must administer. The assessor administers the assessment process in accordance with the Code of Virginia and the Code of Newport News which require all assessments to be based on fair market value with no consideration given as to the ownership or personal circumstances involved.
The assessor has no authority to reduce or abate assessments for the above mentioned reasons. If the assessor were allowed to make such reductions, there could be no uniformity or equity in the assessment system. While assessments cannot be reduced, real estate tax relief may be granted if certain requirements are met. Additional information concerning the requirements for this program may be obtained by calling the Commissioner of the Revenue at 757-926-3535.