Tax assessor, collector outline installment plans, mass‑reappraisal needs and timeshare consolidation progress

The Division of Real Property Tax told the budget committee that annual real property taxes are due June 30 and become delinquent after August 30 under Title 33 of the Virgin Islands Code. Tax Assessor Ludens A. Romney and Tax Collector Brent Leardam outlined tools for collection, including installment plans, tax lien sales, auctions and judicial in rem foreclosure.

Romney said a mass reappraisal must be conducted every five years under applicable statute and that the division seeks additional appraiser positions to lower contracting costs and build local capacity. He said, because of limited staff, only about 883 properties had been inspected to date in the St. Thomas–St. John district versus a target of 28,716 inspections for that district, and urged the committee to consider removing or raising the $500,000 cap on the tax assessor revolving fund (Title 33) so the division can retain more locally generated revenue.

The tax collector reported that, as of the hearing, roughly $100,000,000 remains outstanding in property tax arrears dating back as far as the 1970s. He said consolidation work for timeshare complexes is underway and that, where associations accept consolidated billing, the association will receive a single bill and be responsible for collecting from unit owners — but he said the consolidation process remains a work in progress and some associations are still reconciling past dues before remitting to the government.

Senators pressed for clearer timelines to finish the consolidation and for resources to increase appraiser capacity. LGO staff said they plan to recruit and train appraisers locally and to continue outreach to property owners about online payment and installment options via https://propertytax.vi.gov.