Does the U.S. Virgin Islands have property tax.? If so how much were taxes on thenislands
Executive summary
Yes. The U.S. Virgin Islands levies annual real property taxes administered by the Office of the Tax Collector and Office of the Tax Assessor; bills for 2025 were being distributed to property owners [1] [2]. Typical tax calculations use assessed value and a millage rate; published examples show an illustrative effective rate around 0.3770% (a $400,000 home → $1,508) and other sources cite an assessed-value-based statutory rate of 1.25% of assessed value where assessed value is a percentage of fair market value [3] [4].
1. What the islands tax, and who runs it
Real property tax in the U.S. Virgin Islands is a territorial tax on real estate administered by local offices: the Office of the Tax Collector (collections, delinquency and auctions) and the Office of the Tax Assessor (valuations) under the Lieutenant Governor’s offices (Act 6976 moved collection into the Lt. Governor’s remit) [1] [5]. The government issues annual tax bills and the 2025 bills were being mailed to owners, with payment and installment arrangements handled by district tax collector offices [2] [1].
2. How the tax is calculated — multiple explanations in circulation
Authoritative explanations in the reporting show calculation by multiplying assessed value by a millage rate; assessed value is the basis set by the Tax Assessor and bills list the millage and any credits [3]. One practical example published explains a $400,000 fair market home shown with an annual tax of $1,508, implying a calculation using a millage equivalent to 0.003770 of market value in that example [3]. Another source frames rates differently: it reports a statutory real property tax at 1.25% of the property’s assessed value and notes assessed value is 60% of fair market value, which would yield an effective rate relative to market value cited in that analysis [4]. These are different framings of the same mechanics (assessed value × statutory rate or millage), not necessarily contradictory if the assessment basis or cited rate differs by classification or source year [3] [4].
3. Rates vary by property type, credits and incentive programs matter
Multiple sources emphasize that tax liability depends on property classification (residential, commercial, etc.) and available credits or exemptions; the islands also run economic development programs that can grant property tax exemptions for eligible businesses [6] [7] [8]. Chambers’ guide notes EDC beneficiaries can be exempt from property tax on real property used for approved business activities, undercutting a simple single-rate picture for all owners [8]. Private real-estate guides repeatedly caution owners to check current rates and exemptions with the Tax Collector [6] [9].
4. Conflicting numbers — why you see different effective rates
Reporting and third‑party guides produce different headline figures because they use different bases: some cite a statutory percentage applied to assessed value, others convert assessed value to a percent of fair market value then give an “effective” rate on market value, and some examples use specific millage values to compute sample bills [4] [3]. That produces apparent contradictions (e.g., “1.25% of assessed value” versus “0.3770% of fair market value”) when in reality they may be two ways of expressing the same calculation depending on the assessment ratio and year [4] [3].
5. Practical takeaways for property owners or buyers
If you own or plan to buy property, get the island’s official tax bill or use the online lookup to see parcel-specific assessed value and the millage applied; tax collector offices publish bills and facilitate payment plans for delinquencies [10] [11] [2]. Professional summaries provide worked examples [3], but you must verify the current millage, assessment rules and any exemptions that apply to your parcel because incentive programs and categories can materially reduce or eliminate property tax for qualifying entities [8] [7].
Limitations and disclosures: Sources provided include government office pages, news reporting and private guides; government pages confirm administration and billing [1] [2] [5] [10]. Private analyses and real‑estate sites give examples and rate summaries but use differing assumptions for assessed value and credits [4] [3] [6]. Available sources do not mention a single, universally posted current millage schedule by parcel in this dataset — consult the Tax Collector’s online lookup or your local bill for the exact rate on any given property [10] [11].