Local and state agencies have returned more than $8 million of $24 million in refunds of unconstitutional taxes, but there are already signs taxpayers will have trouble getting all their money back.

County clerks of court and the Department of Motor Vehicles, which are tasked with refunding the bulk of the money collected for property sales taxes and registration fees, reported few snags sending out refunds.

However, early refund seekers appear to be struggling with the paperwork required to secure refunds for hotel taxes, car repair labor taxes, car rental taxes and vehicle inspection fees, which will begin May 20.

Between 200 and 300 people have submitted online applications through Virginia’s unclaimed property process, but only 50 of them have supplied sufficient evidence to get their money back, said Vicki Bridgeman, director of the division.

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The department will try to help residents complete the process, including providing proof of identity and a receipt.

The Virginia Supreme Court in February ruled the seven taxes and fees charged to help fund transportation projects in Northern Virginia were unconstitutional.

Lawmakers are preparing to hold a special session on new transportation taxes in June, with Gov. Tim Kaine expected to announce a tax proposal as soon as this week.

The Department of Motor Vehicles has returned $5.97 million of an estimated $7.9 million collected, spokeswoman Melanie Stokes said, or 185,000 of 250,000 fees it collected in January and February.

“It’s gone fairly smoothly,” added Fairfax County Circuit Court Clerk John Frey, whose office has returned about $2 million of the $4.6 million collected in property sales taxes.

The property sales taxes, which can average more than $1,600 apiece, are sent first to settlement agents who pass the money back to their clients.

“We cut them each a check and mailed them out already,” said David Green, a vice president of Walker Title LLC in Fairfax, which has overseen nearly $260,000 in refunds for its customers in Fairfax County alone.

Prince William County has refunded $800,000 of its $3.1 million collected, Alexandria has had contact with 80 percent of the settlement agents, and Arlington County is preparing to refund a quarter of its refund checks later this week, officials said.

dgenz@dcexaminer.com