How to Pay Your Fairfax County Property Tax Bill
Where to send your Fairfax County property tax payment
Fairfax County property taxes are collected by the Fairfax County Department of Tax Administration, and you can pay them online, by mail, in person, or by phone. The county accepts payments year-round, and your bill is typically mailed in June for the fiscal year that runs from July 1 to June 30. Payments are due by October 5 of that fiscal year, though you can pay earlier without penalty.
Online payment through the county's website is the fastest route: you can pay with a debit or credit card, or set up an electronic bank transfer (ACH). The county charges a convenience fee for credit and debit card payments but not for ACH transfers. If you prefer to mail a check, send it to the address printed on your tax bill. In-person payments are accepted at the Tax Administration office in Fairfax during business hours, and you can also pay by phone using a debit or credit card.
Key Takeaways
- Fairfax County property tax bills are mailed in June and due by October 5, but you can pay at any time without penalty.
- Online payment through the county website is fastest and avoids convenience fees if you use an ACH bank transfer instead of a credit card.
- If you pay by mail, send your check to the address on your bill and allow at least one week for it to arrive and post to your account.
- Late payments trigger a penalty of 10 percent of the unpaid tax amount, plus interest that accrues monthly until the balance is paid.
- You can set up a payment plan if you cannot pay the full amount by the due date, though interest and penalties continue to accrue.
What happens if you miss the October 5 deadline
If your payment does not reach the county by October 5, a 10 percent penalty is added to your unpaid tax balance. Interest then accrues at a rate set by Virginia state law, which changes annually. The interest is calculated monthly on the unpaid balance, including the penalty, so the longer you wait the more you owe.
The county does not immediately file a lien or start foreclosure proceedings, but unpaid property taxes remain a debt against your home. If taxes go unpaid for several years, the county can eventually sell your property at a tax sale to recover the money owed. You will receive notices before that happens, but the process moves forward automatically if the debt is not resolved.
Setting up a payment plan if you cannot pay in full
Fairfax County allows property owners to request a payment plan if they cannot pay the full amount by October 5. You must contact the Department of Tax Administration directly to arrange this—there is no online form to request one. A payment plan does not erase the 10 percent penalty or stop interest from accruing, but it lets you spread the payment over time instead of facing immediate collection action.
Payment plans are typically negotiated case by case, so the terms depend on your situation and how much you owe. The county prefers that you contact them before the due date rather than after, because waiting signals that you are not taking the debt seriously. If you are facing hardship—job loss, medical emergency, or other sudden expense—explain that when you call, because the county may be more flexible with someone who reaches out proactively.
Understanding your property tax bill and how the amount is calculated
Your Fairfax County property tax bill is based on the assessed value of your home, which the county reassesses every year. The assessment is supposed to reflect the fair market value of your property as of January 1 of that year. The tax rate is then applied to that assessed value to calculate what you owe. Fairfax County's tax rate varies slightly by district within the county, but the county publishes the rate each year before bills are mailed.
If you believe your home's assessed value is too high, you can file a Reassessment Application with the county. This must be filed by the deadline printed on your tax bill—usually in the fall—or you forfeit your right to challenge that year's assessment. The application requires you to provide evidence that the assessment is wrong, such as a recent appraisal or comparable sales in your neighborhood. If the county agrees, your assessment is lowered and your tax bill is adjusted.
Paying property taxes if you have a mortgage
If you have a mortgage, your lender may require you to pay property taxes through an escrow account as part of your monthly mortgage payment. In that case, you do not pay the county directly—your lender collects the money from you each month and pays the county on your behalf when the bill is due. Your mortgage statement shows how much is being set aside for taxes each month.
Even if you pay through escrow, you should verify that your lender actually paid the county by the deadline. Lender errors do happen, and if your taxes go unpaid because of a mistake on the lender's side, you are still responsible for the penalty and interest. You can check the status of your account online through the Fairfax County tax website, or call the Tax Administration office to confirm payment was received.
Deferral and exemption programs for seniors and disabled homeowners
Fairfax County offers a Property Tax Deferral Program for homeowners age 65 or older, or permanently and totally disabled, with limited income. If you may have access to, you can defer paying your property taxes while you live in the home. The taxes do not disappear—they become a lien against your property and are paid from the proceeds when you sell or when your estate is settled—but you do not have to pay them while you are living there.
The county also offers Homestead Property Tax Exemptions that reduce the assessed value of your home if you meet certain criteria, such as being a senior, disabled veteran, or surviving spouse of a veteran. These exemptions lower your tax bill permanently, not just defer it. Both programs require you to file an application with the county, and income limits apply. Contact the Tax Administration office or visit the county website to learn whether you may be may be able to access and what documents you need to submit.
How to find and access your property tax account online
Fairfax County maintains an online property tax search tool where you can look up your bill, check payment history, and see your assessed value. You do not need a login—you can search by property address or parcel number. This tool shows your current bill, any unpaid balances, and the date your last payment was posted. It is useful for confirming that a payment you mailed has been received, or for checking the status of your account before the October 5 deadline.
If you want to set up online bill pay or receive email reminders when your bill is due, you can create an account on the county website. This lets you store your property information and receive notifications, though it is optional. The account also allows you to view historical bills and track payments over multiple years, which is helpful if you are managing taxes on more than one property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my Fairfax County property taxes with a credit card without a fee?
No. The county charges a convenience fee for credit card and debit card payments, typically around 2 percent of the amount paid. If you want to avoid the fee, use an ACH bank transfer instead, which is free. ACH transfers take a few business days to post, so plan ahead if your payment is close to the October 5 deadline.
What if I pay my property taxes late but before the county files a lien?
The 10 percent penalty and accrued interest are still owed. Paying late does not erase the penalty—it only stops additional interest from accruing once the payment is received. The sooner you pay, the less interest you accumulate, but the penalty is applied regardless of when you pay after the October 5 deadline.
Do I have to pay property taxes if I am renting out my home?
Yes. Property taxes are owed by the property owner, not the tenant. If you own a rental property in Fairfax County, you are responsible for paying the taxes, even if your tenant pays you rent. You cannot pass the tax bill to the tenant unless your lease specifically requires it, and even then the county still looks to you as the owner for payment.
Can I get a refund if I overpaid my property taxes?
Yes. If you paid more than you owed—for example, because you made an extra payment or your assessment was lowered mid-year—the county will refund the overpayment. Contact the Tax Administration office with proof of your payment, and they will process a refund check or apply the credit to next year's bill if you prefer.
What if my property is in foreclosure—do I still owe property taxes?
Yes. Property taxes remain your responsibility until the foreclosure sale is complete and the property transfers to a new owner. If you are in foreclosure, contact the Tax Administration office to discuss your options, including payment plans or deferral programs if you may have access to. Some lenders will pay delinquent taxes as part of the foreclosure process, but you should not assume that will happen.