Chapter 3. Actions · Article 19.1. Virginia Fraud Against Taxpayers Act · Last amended 2002 · Last verified July 16, 2026
In one sentenceSection 8.01-216.15 requires each interrogatory in a civil investigative demand to be answered separately, fully, and under oath through a sworn certificate, lets objections be stated in place of an answer with reasons given, and requires any withheld information to be identified along with a particular explanation.
Full Text of § 8.01-216.15
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Each inquiry in a civil investigative demand served under this article shall be answered separately and fully in writing under oath and shall be submitted under a sworn certificate, in such form as the demand designates, by (i) in the case of a natural person, the person to whom the demand is directed, or (ii) in the case of a person other than a natural person, the person or persons responsible for answering each inquiry. If any inquiry is objected to, the reasons for the objection shall be stated in the certificate instead of an answer. The certificate shall state that all information required by the demand and in the possession, custody, control, or knowledge of the person to whom the
demand is directed has been submitted. To the extent that any information is not furnished, the information shall be identified and reasons set forth with particularity regarding the reasons why the information was not furnished.
Plain-English Summary
Section 8.01-216.15 sets the procedure for answering written interrogatories served through a civil investigative demand. Each inquiry must be answered separately and fully, in writing, under oath, and the answers must be submitted with a sworn certificate in the form the demand specifies. The certificate is signed by the recipient personally if the recipient is a natural person, or by whoever within a business or other entity is responsible for answering each particular inquiry.
A recipient who objects to an inquiry states the reasons for the objection in the certificate rather than providing an answer. The certificate must confirm that all information required by the demand, and within the recipient’s possession, custody, control, or knowledge, has been submitted. Where any required information has not been furnished, it must be identified, together with a particular statement of the reasons it was not provided.
Frequently Asked Questions
How must interrogatories in a civil investigative demand be answered?
Each inquiry must be answered separately and fully, in writing, under oath, and submitted through a sworn certificate in the form the demand specifies.
Can a recipient object to answering a particular interrogatory?
Yes. The reasons for the objection are stated in the certificate in place of an answer to that inquiry.
Who signs the certificate for a business responding to interrogatories?
The person or persons within the business responsible for answering each particular inquiry, rather than a single designated signer for the entire response.
What happens if some requested information cannot be located or provided?
It must be identified specifically, along with a particular statement of the reasons it was not furnished.
Does the certificate need to confirm the response is complete?
Yes. It must state that all information required by the demand that is within the recipient’s possession, custody, control, or knowledge has been submitted.
Amendment History
2002, c. 842.
Source & verification. Section text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Code of Virginia, published by the
Code of Virginia, Virginia Division of Legislative Automated Systems. Last verified July 16, 2026.
· Official source
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