How Much Is Fairfax Property Tax
Quick answer. Fairfax County mails assessment notices in February. The Board of Supervisors sets the tax rate in spring as part of the budget. For FY2026 the adopted rate was $1.1225 per $100 assessed, down a quarter cent from $1.125, effective July 1 2025. Bills are due in two installments in summer and December. Notices show estimates using prior year rates as required by state law, so your final bill uses the newly adopted rate.
Why Assessments Went Up
Two words explain most increases. Equalization is market driven change as of January 1 based on prior year sales. Growth is new construction, remodeling, rezoning or lot division. For Tax Year 2026 residential equalization averaged 4.31 percent countywide per Fairfax County Tax Administration, which is why many homes saw a bump even with no work done. That is cooler than Tax Year 2025 which averaged 6.65 percent countywide, but still pushes the base higher.
How to Appeal in Plain English
You have two paths if you think your assessment is high. First talk to the Department of Tax Administration. Pull your property card and neighborhood sales list at fairfaxcounty.gov, check square footage, basement finish, condition, lot area and permits for errors, and compare three to five sales in the last twelve to eighteen months within a half mile in similar condition. Second file an administrative appeal to DTA by early April and then a Board of Equalization appeal by early June if needed. The county asks for fair market value or lack of uniformity, not just percentage change or future tax impact. Pay your taxes on time even while appealing to avoid penalty.
What This Means for Your Monthly
Assessment is not market value cap but it does set your monthly tax quote. On a $700K assessment at $1.1225 the county portion is $7,857 per year before fire levy and small district charges. FY2027 adopted budget reduced the rate to $1.12 per $100, saving $3.50 per $100K assessed versus FY2026 baseline, which is modest versus a 4.31 percent base increase. Run PITI plus HOA plus any district fees for your block, not just list price.
For sellers a clean assessment does not replace a CMA. Price from six comps in ninety days same builder within a half mile plus one active and one pending. For buyers estimate taxes early and verify assessment year and any land use discount. If you need help pulling neighborhood sales, text us and we will send the county card and comps.
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Text Cornerstone Realty Group at (571) 441-1031 for a 5-minute Fairfax tax estimate and assessment comps check for your block.
FAQ
When do assessment notices and tax bills come out?
Fairfax County mails assessment notices in February. The Board of Supervisors sets the tax rate in spring as part of the budget, for FY2026 the adopted rate was $1.1225 per $100 assessed, down a quarter cent from $1.125, effective July 1, 2025. Bills are due in two installments in summer and December. Notices show estimates using prior-year rates as required by state law, so your final bill uses the newly adopted rate.
Why did my assessment go up even though I did no work?
Two words explain most increases: equalization is market-driven change as of January 1 based on prior-year sales; growth is new construction, remodeling, rezoning, or lot division. For Tax Year 2026, residential equalization averaged 4.31 percent countywide per Fairfax County Tax Administration, cooler than Tax Year 2025's 6.65 percent, but still pushing the base higher.
How do I appeal my assessment?
You have two paths. First, talk to the Department of Tax Administration: pull your property card and neighborhood sales list at fairfaxcounty.gov, check square footage, basement finish, condition, lot area, and permits for errors, and compare three to five sales in the last twelve to eighteen months within a half mile in similar condition. Second, file an administrative appeal to DTA by early April and then a Board of Equalization appeal by early June if needed. The county asks for fair market value or lack of uniformity, not just percentage change or future tax impact. Pay your taxes on time even while appealing to avoid penalty.
What does the rate mean for my monthly payment?
On a $700K assessment at $1.1225, the county portion is $7,857 per year before fire levy and small district charges. The FY2027 adopted budget reduced the rate to $1.12 per $100, saving $3.50 per $100K assessed versus the FY2026 baseline, which is modest versus a 4.31 percent base increase. Run PITI plus HOA plus any district fees for your block, not just list price.
Any guidance for sellers and buyers?
For sellers: a clean assessment does not replace a CMA; price from six comps in ninety days, same builder, within a half mile, plus one active and one pending. For buyers: estimate taxes early and verify the assessment year and any land-use discount.