A change is now in effect on receiving Virginia state tax refunds

Hot Springs, Va. –

The Commissioner of Revenue’s office in Bath County offers federal and Virginia state income tax preparation. Bath’s Commissioner of Revenue, Leta Norfleet, wants to get the word out about a change that’s now in effect on Virginia state tax refunds.

“The main change that we have this year, and we were actually not notified until October from the state department, they will not issue a state check in paper form,” says Norfleet. “You have no option, no choice, but to either have it put into your bank account, a savings or a checking, automatic deposit or debit card. And this is a big change for people. On the federal there will be paper checks issued if desired this year, but I look for it next year not to be happening.”

Tax preparation is available in Norfleet’s office in the Bath County Courthouse Monday through Friday from 9 to 4. If you need to make arrangements for a time outside of those hours, give her a call.

“We do offer filing of your federal and state income taxes and we do it electronically,” says Norfleet. “There is no fee. All you have to do is bring in any and all income sources and we will prepare your return. And hopefully you’ll get it back within a couple of weeks. But there are several forms that are not available we understand from the IRS until the 15th of February. Like the college credits, if you have someone in school and the energy credit if you have new additions or improvements you made to your home.”

Norfleet says the fiscal cliff is to blame for the delay this year on tax preparation. Her office started preparing returns late this year, on January 30th.

“The fact that they didn’t want to extend or didn’t know they wanted to extend the tax credits, breaks that we’ve had for the past four years, that was the whole hold up,” says Norfleet. “But they did extend them and everything’s going as was for this year, but next year I’m looking for drastic changes. I truly am.”

Norfleet also wants to remind Bath residents to file their personal property tax forms. And if you have been receiving credit on real estate taxes because you’re 65 or older or disabled, make sure you also renew that application. Or if you have become eligible this year for the real estate tax credit, stop by the Commissioner of Revenue’s office to sign up.

The phone number for Bath’s Commissioner of Revenue, Leta Norfleet is 839-7231.