Richmond tax rebate checks to be issued by June 30 after finance errors
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Diverging Reports Breakdown
Richmond announces update on rebate check distribution
The rebate aims to give residents financial relief amid rising property values and housing costs. 36,057 residents have not received their rebate checks, while 8,205 have received checks but have not deposited them. Check printing and mailing will begin on June 17, and the estimated delivery window begins June 30.
The rebate aims to give residents financial relief amid rising property values and housing costs.
A Friday news release from the city says 36,057 residents have not received their rebate checks, while 8,205 have received checks but have not deposited them.
The city is working to complete the verification and processing period for remaining checks. Check printing and mailing will begin on June 17, and the estimated delivery window begins June 30.
The update comes days after the news that Richmond issued 8,300 incorrect checks due to an administrative error.
Anyone who deposited an incorrect check that listed Hartshorn Community Council and have received a return fee from their bank can submit a request for reimbursement by calling 311 or submitting a ticket online by clicking here.
Once on the website, click “create new request,” then “real estate taxes,” “continue,” fill out the requested information, click “next,” and fill out contact information before submitting.
Requests for reimbursement should be submitted by May 15.
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Money Troubles
Richmond’s financial services staff has had a rough couple of months. 8,300 property tax rebate checks out of 60,000 issued were addressed to the wrong payee in March. In mid-May, the confusion continued. Real estate tax bills intended for mortgage lenders were instead addressed to several thousand residents. City officials point to errors in importing data to its MUNIS billing and payroll system.
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It’s been a rough couple of months for Richmond’s financial services staff.
On April 21, Director of Revenue Administration Jamie Atkinson resigned after 8,300 property tax rebate checks out of 60,000 issued were addressed to the wrong payee in March, and additional errors were found over the following month. The city’s quick fix also caused some checks to bounce, while some erroneous checks were cashed. The city says new checks will be mailed after the first batch expires June 16 and could start arriving at the end of the month.
In mid-May, the confusion continued. Real estate tax bills intended for mortgage lenders were instead addressed to several thousand residents. City officials pointed to errors in importing data to its MUNIS billing and payroll system, and they are working with a MUNIS vendor and implementing new operating procedures to prevent this problem from happening again.
Back on April 30, Mayor Danny Avula cut the city’s purchasing card program by 79% (from 320 to 67) and limited purchases to “those where public health, safety and critical services would be disrupted if not allowed or where no other payment methods exist.”
It’s been a rocky start for P-cards since their implementation under Mayor Levar Stoney. In November 2024, Director of Elections and General Registrar Keith Balmer resigned after city attorneys found enough evidence of misconduct, which included P-card abuse. The allegations don’t directly factor into Avula’s decision-making, says Ross Catrow, director of the Office of Strategic Communications, but many of the reported purchases wouldn’t be allowed under the reset.
While the Department of Procurement Services is already making changes, the city has hired NIGP: The Institute for Public Procurement for more recommendations.
No payments until the end of June ― Bad news for one group of people
The City of Richmond is embroiled in a financial communication crisis. The delays turn into confusion, frustration, and extra financial planning for many locals. City officials have traced the issue to a faulty programming error in the computer system of the Department of Finance. The authorities confirmed that the issue is with the accounting and software, and not the taxpayer information of individuals. The official stance currently is that no payments will be made until the end of June 2025. The delay will cause individuals to wait longer for money that is rightfully theirs, and that can be close to home. The public’s trust is being tested. This case has brought into light the inner workings of the Dept. of Finance and questioned the management of taxpayer funds. The city has vowed to correct all errors and provide precise rebates within the next few weeks.
How no payments by the end of June is causing panic
The city initially distributed property tax refund checks in early April 2025. Those checks were to compensate residents following a local collections surplus. However, through a series of miscalculations, wrong amounts or even double payments were made to some homeowners, while others were not paid anything.
No payments until the end of June is the new timeline offered by the authorities as they take their time to mend things. Citizens who are relying on this rebate to keep them afloat or to meet seasonal necessities are in limbo.
Why did this happen
City officials have traced the issue to a faulty programming error in the computer system of the Department of Finance, which impacted the calculation of real estate tax credits. While the goal had been to send rebates on schedule and in an equitable manner, the defective process created errors that appeared on hundreds of checks sent out.
To correct this, Richmond’s finance personnel have stopped making additional payments, trading off speed for accuracy of information. The official stance currently is that no payments will be made until the end of June 2025.
Who will be hurt the most by no payments until June’s end?
The waiting has been especially painful for:
Aged homeowners who plan seasonally First-time homebuyers anticipating partial rebates Households that budgeted financially in anticipation of refunds
Recipients are now being requested to repay the surplus, yet another frustration to an already tumultuous situation. The real concern is the lack of clarity. Even for those who received accurate checks, until the errors are finalized, they have no idea whether they will be requested to repay or if they owe money.
How Richmond officials intend to fix the delayed payments
The Richmond City publicly acknowledged the error. The authorities confirmed that the issue is with the accounting and software, and not the taxpayer information of individuals.
In a press conference, city officials reassured the people that the revised checks will be reissued by the end of June at the earliest. However, many residents are still doubtful regarding the timeline, especially following weeks of radio silence before the announcement.
No June payments and trust in local government
Payment delays in municipalities are not unusual, but when the same happens to ordinary citizens, the implications are enormous.
The public’s trust is being tested. This case has brought into light the inner workings of the Department of Finance and questioned the management of taxpayer funds.
What to do when you’re waiting for your tax rebate
As no payments are due until June, residents are advised to:
Watch for official word from the city’s Department of Finance .
. Wait to spend any rebate received until it’s verified.
until it’s verified. Log all communication and check details.
and check details. Contact city offices if you feel that there has been an error on your check.
While many residents are understandably angry, getting the facts and waiting patiently will work better for you. According to the City of Richmond’s official statement, the city has vowed to correct all errors and provide precise rebates within the next few weeks.
This is a sobering reminder of how small bureaucratic mistakes can snowball into colossal financial hardship for common citizens. The delay will cause individuals to wait longer for money that is rightfully theirs, and that can be close to home.
Richmond announces update on timeline of rebate checks distribution
The City of Richmond’s Department of Finance is finalizing the remaining real estate tax rebate checks. The rebate, approved by the City Council in 2024, aims to provide financial relief amid rising property values and housing costs. Approximately 36,057 residents haven’t received their rebate checks, and 8,205 have received rebate checks but have not deposited them.
The rebate, approved by the City Council in 2024, aims to provide financial relief amid rising property values and housing costs.
The city says approximately 36,057 residents haven’t received their rebate checks, and 8,205 have received rebate checks but have not deposited them.
The city is implementing a revised distribution timeline to ensure accurate processing and timely delivery.
Updated Timeline:
Verification and Processing Period: Currently being completed
Check Printing and Mailing Begins: June 17
Estimated Delivery Window: Beginning June 30
Residents who recently deposited an incorrect check that listed “Hartshorn Community Council” and received a return fee from their bank can submit a request for reimbursement via RVA311 by calling 311 for assistance or submitting a ticket online at rva311.com.
Once on the website, please follow the instructions below:
Click “Create New Request.” Click “Real Estate Taxes”. Click “Continue” through the pop-up window Fill out the requested information, including uploading a photo of the return check fee from your bank. 5. Click “Next” 6. Fill out your contact information, and click “Submit.”
Impacted residents should submit their request by Thursday, May 15.
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ATO issues EOFY checklist to trustees
The Tax Office has created a checklist to help trustees avoid basic trust errors with the 30 June deadline for trust resolutions approaching. The ATO said it is important that trustees are familiar with their trust deeds and accurately determine the income of the trust estate.
The ATO has issued an end-of-financial-year checklist to help trustees stay compliant and in control of their trust obligations.
The Tax Office said it was crucial that trustees and their advisers are clear about their obligations as the 30 June deadline for trust resolutions draws closer.
Understand how income is defined for the trust estate
The ATO said it is important that trustees are familiar with their trust deeds and accurately determine the income of the trust estate for each financial year.
“Common errors include actions that are inconsistent with the deed, mistaking accounting profit for distributable income, and misinterpreting trustee powers,” the Tax Office said.
To avoid these errors, trustees should review the trust deed and distribute income according to each beneficiary’s entitlements.
MTC.