10 Places with the Highest Tax Refunds In VA Include Fairfax County

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — Monday was the deadline for submitting a federal tax return, so taxpayers have found out by now if they get a refund or owe money. According to a new study from SmartAsset, an online resource for financial advice, Fairfax County ranks among the top places in Virginia with the highest average tax refunds and taxes owed.

On places with the highest refunds, Fairfax County ranks third in the commonwealth with an average refund of $3,413. This is based on 352,630 taxpayers with refunds.

On places with the highest taxes owned, Fairfax County ranked sixth. This is based on 172,750 taxpayers owing taxes with an average of $7,642.

By comparison, the average refund amount in Virginia is $2,835 based on over 2.9 million taxpayers. The average amount of taxes owned was $5,597 in Virginia based on 946,340 who owed taxes.

A SmartAsset spokesperson clarified the study is based on 2019 tax year data from the IRS, the most recent data released in January 2022. State tax returns are not factored into the data.

The study divided the total amount of tax money refunded in each county by the number of refunds. For taxes owed, SmartAsset divided taxes owed in each county by taxpayers that owe taxes.

Refunds from federal tax returns typically result from taxes overpaid in that tax year, while owning money typically means taxes were underpaid.

Here are the top 10 places for refunds in Virginia:

1. Falls Church City: 4,010 taxpayers with refunds, $3,730 average

2. Albemarle County: 33,250 taxpayers with refunds, $3,482 average

3. Fairfax County: 352,630 taxpayers with refunds, $3,413 average

4. Goochland County: 7,650 taxpayers with refunds, $3,380 average

5. Loudoun County: 126,060 taxpayers with refunds, $3,364 average

6. Fauquier County: 23,890 taxpayers with refunds, $3,021 average

7. Emporia City: 2,090 taxpayers with refunds, $3,002 average

8. Lancaster County: 3,710 taxpayers with refunds, $2,977 average

9. Rappahannock County: 2,300 taxpayers with refunds, $2,953 average

10. New Kent County: 8,380 taxpayers with refunds, $2,924 average

Here are the top 10 places for taxes owed in Virginia:

1. Goochland County: 3,580 taxpayers who owe taxes, $12,170 average

2. Falls Church City: 2,400 taxpayers who owe taxes, $9,559 average

3. Powhatan County: 3,640 taxpayers who owe taxes, $8,954 average

4. Rappahannock County: 950 taxpayers who owe taxes, $8,692 average

5. Arlington County: 37,180 taxpayers who owe taxes, $7,736 average

6. Fairfax County: 172,750 taxpayers who owe taxes, $7,642 average

7. Albemarle County: 14,240 taxpayers who owe taxes, $7,475 average

8. Loudoun County: 62,020 taxpayers who owe taxes, $7,279 average

9. Fairfax City: 3,920 taxpayers who owe taxes, $6,936 average

10. Charlottesville City: 4,920 taxpayers who owe taxes, $6,848 average

See the full SmartAsset study and see data for your county or city here.