Virginia’s Prince William Board of County Supervisors reviewed property taxes at their most recent meeting, voting in favor of enacting a 70 percent increase on data center computer equipment. The current rate is $2.15 per $100 in assessed value. The tax hike will bring the new rate for the “computer and peripheral tax” to $3.70. As the Prince William Times notes, the board voted 7-1 in favor of the revised rate.
As a counterbalance, the board also voted to decrease the real estate tax rate for the data centers to 92 cents per $100 in assessed value. Further solidifying the move to shift more of the tax burden to the data centers, homeowners in the county will see an increase of just $26 for 2024.
“Right now, some of the richest companies in human history are receiving a tax break in this county,” Supervisor Kenny Boddye, D-Occoquan told the Times. “We no longer need sweetheart deals to attract this industry. They are here, they are maturing, they’re going to be here to stay.”
Showing an agreement between those of differing political parties, Brentsville Supervisor Tom Gordy (R) indicated that he also supported the tax changes noting that all property owners would receive the benefit of the property tax reduction. “This is the only way I can see offering our residents a real tax cut — not just a slower rate of growth,” he added.
The fiscal year for the county begins on July 1, when the changes would take place. It is expected that the move to raise the taxes on data center operations will bring an extra $54.7 million to Prince WIlliam County.
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