Car Tax Assessments Not Increasing For Most Vehicles In Fairfax County, Bills Sent

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — Fairfax County vehicle owners are receiving their car tax bills in the mail ahead of an Oct. 5 payment due date.

According to the county government, vehicle values stayed the same or decreased for 97 percent of vehicles for this year's personal property tax bills. On average, vehicles like cars and trucks decreased by 9.8 percent compared to 2022.

Values of cars normally depreciate, which results in lower tax bills year to year on the same vehicle. But that wasn't the case last year, as nationwide used car demand with limited supply contributed to increasing car values. Car production was impacted by supply chain shortages on key parts like chips, resulting in less new cars being produced and car values increasing across the U.S.

Due to the market impacts on car values, car tax bills in Fairfax County increased by 33 percent on average last year.

Even though many car values did not rise this year, they still remain inflated compared to pre-pandemic levels. This year's car tax bills include 10 percent car tax relief approved by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in the budget. That means vehicles are assessed at 90 percent of their value.

Virginia law requires car tax assessments to be based on a vehicle's value as of Jan. 1 of each year. Fairfax County uses the J.D. Power pricing guide to determine car values for taxes. The tax rate remains $4.57 per $100 of assessed value. Bills also include Fairfax County's local registration fee and an additional fee for residents in the towns of Clifton, Herndon and Vienna.

How to Pay the Car Tax

Vehicle owners must pay car tax bills by Oct. 5. There are options to pay online, by phone with a third-party service fee, by mail or in person at drop boxes or the Fairfax County Government Center.

Paying online with an e-check does not have a service fee, but credit card and debit card payments will have a fee.

To pay by phone, call 703-222-6740 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There will be a third-party service fee.

Residents can also return payment with the envelope that came with the bill. Make checks or money orders payable to County of Fairfax and send them to Department of Tax Administration, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 223 Fairfax, VA 22035. Mail must be postmarked by the due date.

Payments can also be put in the secure drop box outside the Fairfax County Government Center or the book drops at Burke Centre, Dolley Madison, George Mason Regional, Oakton Community, Reston Regional and Sherwood Regional libraries from Sept. 19 to Oct. 5.

For those paying in person, expect lines at the Fairfax County Government Center (Suitr 223). Tax office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays. There will also be extended hours for in-person and phone service on weekdays from Friday, Sept. 29 to Thursday, Oct. 5 between 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.