Virginia Strips Confederate Groups of Tax Breaks

Governor Spanberger signs law ending tax exemptions for Confederate organizations in the state.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 8:27pm

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A serene, photorealistic painting of an empty Confederate monument or memorial in Richmond, Virginia, with the structure bathed in warm, golden sunlight and surrounded by deep shadows, capturing a sense of quiet contemplation.As Virginia confronts its Confederate legacy, the fate of historic monuments remains a divisive issue in the state's capital.Richmond Today

The state of Virginia has passed a new law signed by Governor Abigail Spanberger that strips Confederate groups like the United Daughters of the Confederacy of their tax-exempt status. The move has frustrated these organizations, particularly the UDC which is concerned about the fate of its Richmond headquarters. The law is part of a broader effort by Virginia Democrats to distance the state from its Confederate past.

Why it matters

Virginia has long grappled with its Confederate legacy, which has become a flashpoint for debates over historical memory and racial injustice. This new law represents a significant step in the state's efforts to reckon with this history by removing tax benefits for groups that have played a role in preserving Confederate symbols and narratives.

The details

The new law specifically targets the United Daughters of the Confederacy, an organization founded in 1894 to honor Confederate ancestors. The group has built hundreds of Confederate memorials across the country, many of which have become the focus of protests in recent years. The law also ends the state's specialty license plates featuring Confederate figures like Robert E. Lee.

  • The new law was signed by Governor Abigail Spanberger this week.
  • Two other bills related to Virginia's Confederate past were also recently sent to the governor's desk.

The players

Gov. Abigail Spanberger

The Democratic governor of Virginia who signed the law stripping Confederate groups of their tax-exempt status.

United Daughters of the Confederacy

A Confederate heritage organization founded in 1894 that has built hundreds of memorials honoring the Confederacy across the country.

Frank Earnest

A spokesperson for the Virginia division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, who criticized the law as a potential free speech concern.

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What they’re saying

“I could go down to the D.M.V. right now and point out some fact about every plate there that I didn't like. So if we're going to cancel every plate because somebody out there doesn't like it, we might as well just cancel the whole program.”

— Frank Earnest, Spokesperson, Virginia division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans

What’s next

Two other bills related to Virginia's Confederate past have also been sent to the governor's desk, including one focused on the 'lost cause' narrative at the Virginia Military Institute.

The takeaway

This law represents a significant step in Virginia's efforts to reckon with its Confederate legacy, removing tax benefits for groups that have played a role in preserving Confederate symbols and narratives. However, the move has faced pushback from Confederate heritage organizations who view it as a free speech concern.