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Virginia has extended its aircraft maintenance sales tax exemption through June 30, 2030, benefiting aircraft owners with savings between $175 and $500 annually. However, the exemption continues to exclude small aircraft weighing under 2,400 pounds, such as Cessna 150s and Piper Cherokee 140s.
The sales tax exemption, which was first introduced in 2017, was extended after bipartisan efforts led by the Virginia Aviation Business Association (VABA) and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). Although the extension will provide significant savings for most aircraft owners, the weight restriction has kept around 10% of general aviation aircraft from taking advantage of the exemption.
Governor Glenn Youngkin signed the extension into law on March 19, and the measure received praise from industry stakeholders. Sean Collins, Eastern Regional Manager for AOPA, emphasized that the extension helps maintain Virginia’s competitive edge over neighboring states while supporting the state’s broader aviation economy. While AOPA hoped the weight restriction would be removed, lawmakers decided to keep it in place but extended the exemption for an additional five years.
AOPA and VABA continue advocating for the removal of the weight restriction in future legislation to ensure broader eligibility for all aircraft operators and to promote local maintenance investments within Virginia’s aviation sector.
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