Is there virus leeway this tax season?

Despite the quarantine that’s shut down much of American life this spring, the tax man still wants his money.

Bills for real estate and personal property taxes — for most people, that’s car tax — are arriving in mailboxes all over Hampton Roads, and most of those bills include a payment deadline of June 5.

That date on your bill is still technically the due date, and city officials have said they really want people to pay by that date if they can. Many cities are facing down multimillion-dollar revenue drops from the coronavirus shutdowns that will only get worse as the quarantine drags on.

But what the bills don’t always make clear is that many local governments have given people some leeway on when they have to pay up. How much leeway varies by city.

For those who can’t pay up right away in Norfolk or Virginia Beach, there won’t be a late fee or penalty for a few months, effectively pushing the due date off until Aug. 1.

In Chesapeake, property taxes due June 5 are now extended until June 30.

The same is true in Portsmouth for personal property taxes, but there won’t be any delay for real estate taxes, which residents pay quarterly.

On the Peninsula, the cities are still expecting most people to pay up.

Hampton has extended tax deadlines to Aug. 1 only for those who can prove financial strain due to the pandemic. Property owners must apply to the city treasurer’s office by May 15. For all others, tax bills are still due on June 5.

Meanwhile, Newport News’ due dates haven’t changed at all. Everything is still due by June 5.