A tax of $5 is hereby imposed upon (i) the commencement of every civil action in a court of record, whether commenced by petition or notice, ejectment or attachment, other than a summons to answer a suggestion; (ii) the removal or appeal of a cause of action from a district court to a court of record; (iii) the appeal from the decision of the governing body of a county, city or town to a court of record, including the appeal of any decision of a board of zoning appeals; (iv) an attachment returnable to a court of record; and (v) a writ of mandamus sued out of any court, except the Supreme Court of Virginia. However, when the debt or demand for damages exceeds $49,999 but does not exceed $100,000, the tax shall be $15; and when the debt or demand for damages exceeds $100,000, the tax shall be $25.

This section shall not be applicable to any original jurisdiction proceeding filed in the Supreme Court of Virginia.