Fairfax County Property Tax
The Fairfax County property tax rate is 0.89%, which is slightly lower than the national average.
Written by Patrick Price
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
With an average tax rate of 0.89%, Fairfax County residents pay an average of $4,543 a year in property taxes.
Every homeowner is required to pay a portion of their property’s value in taxes each year. The specific percentage varies widely depending on which district, county, and state they live in. Fluctuating market trends and government budgets also affect tax rates from year to year.
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Property tax 101
For new homeowners, there are some fundamental points about property tax that may be unfamiliar. Here is a brief overview of some of the key concepts:
- Local governments collect property taxes to fund public works and community services, such as public schools, roads, law enforcement, etc.
- Non-exempt real properties such as land, homes, and buildings are taxed.
- A local tax assessor will use the fair market value of your home and the local tax rate to determine your property taxes responsibility.
- Your property tax responsibility will change often based on your local government’s budget and the current market conditions.
It is your local government's job to maintain a safe and prosperous community. To do this they require funding which is provided by the community’s long-term residents in the form of property taxes.
MORE: Is car insurance tax deductible?
What is the property tax rate in Fairfax County?
Fairfax County’s average tax rate is 0.89% of the home’s assessed value. This is a little higher than the Virginia state average of 0.74% but lower than the national average of 1.1%. Despite the relatively low property tax rates in Fairfax county, the actual amount residents end up paying is fairly high.
This is because the average property value in Fairfax county is well above average. Fairfax residents pay an average of $4,543 each year in property tax—compared to the national average of just $3,719.
How Fairfax County property taxes are determined
As a Fairfax County homeowner, your property taxes are determined by multiplying your home’s assessed value by the effective property tax rate in your area.
Your home’s assessed value is determined by your local tax assessor and reassessed in regular intervals dictated by its exact location (usually every 2-6 years). The purpose of the assessment is to calculate your home’s fair market value.
If you feel that the assessment on your home was inaccurate, you can appeal the assessment to the Fairfax County
Board of Equalization and Assessment Review
.The effective property tax rate or “millage rate” in your area will be determined by the local government. The proposed budgets for your state, city, county, and district will be considered while calculating each year’s millage rate. The average property value and current market trends will also be taken into consideration.
What do Fairfax County property taxes pay for?
Your local government will use the revenue from your property taxes to fund various public works and community services. These include but are not limited to:
- Public transportation
- Roads, highways, and infrastructure
- Public Libraries and museums
- Law enforcement
- Public health and safety
- Public schools
This, of course, is only an overview of Fairfax County’s spending. If you would like to see a detailed breakdown, the Fairfax County
Annual Comprehensive Financial Report
is available to the public.MORE: How to deduct a car accident from your taxes
How to pay property taxes in Fairfax County
In Fairfax County, property taxes are paid in two equal installments on July 28th and December 5th. If one of those dates lands on a weekend or national holiday, the due date is moved back to the next business day. You should receive your tax bill three to four weeks before each due date.
You’ll have a
few options
as to how you go about paying your property tax. You can pay online, by mail, in person, using the mobile app, or through your mortgage payment. Here’s what you’ll need to do:- By mail: You can pay by mail using a check made out to “County of Fairfax” sent to:
Department of Tax Administration
12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 223
Fairfax, VA 22035
- In-person: You can pay in person by visiting the Fairfax County Government Center at 12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 223. They are open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. and accept checks, cash, or credit/debit card. Moving forward, however, Fairfax County is requesting that residents who normally use cash pay with a money order instead.
- Through your mortgage: If you set up property tax payments through your mortgage when you bought your home, the tax bill will be sent electronically to the mortgage company.
MORE: Virginia car insurance laws—all you need to know
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When are property taxes due in Fairfax County?
Fairfax County property taxes are due on July 28th and December 5th.
How do I get my Virginia property tax statement?
Your property tax statement will be mailed to you three to four weeks before each payment due date.
Are property taxes high in Fairfax County?
Property tax rates in Fairfax County are slightly lower than average at 0.89%. However, due to the high property values in Fairfax, residents end up paying more in property tax overall than most areas (typically around $4,543).
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