Any taxpayer whose lands are taken by condemnation, who appeals from the order or decree of the trial court vesting title in the lands in the United States and who, pending such appeal, pays the taxes and levies on such lands, accruing subsequent to such order or decree vesting title to such lands in the United States, shall, in the event the order or decree appealed from is affirmed, be entitled to recover the taxes and levies so paid from the date upon which the title in the lands was vested in, and the possession and control thereof exercised by, the United States, in the same manner as provided by law for the correction of erroneous assessments and refunding taxes erroneously charged. Such right to recover such taxes and levies shall extend to September 1 of the year following the date of final determination of such appeal.
Va. Code § 58.1-3363