How to Pay Your Fairfax County Real Estate Tax Bill
Where to send your Fairfax County real estate tax payment
Fairfax County real estate taxes are billed and collected by the Fairfax County Department of Tax Administration. You can pay online through their website, by mail, in person, or by phone — each method has different timing and fees.
The fastest way is online at tax.fairfaxcounty.gov. You can pay with a debit or credit card, though a processing fee applies (currently 2.5% for credit cards, lower for debit). The payment posts immediately, and you get a confirmation number right away.
If you prefer mail, send your check or money order to the address printed on your tax bill. Mail takes 7 to 10 days to arrive, so send it early if your due date is near. Do not mail cash. Include your tax account number on the check so the county knows which property the payment covers.
Key Takeaways
- Fairfax County bills real estate taxes twice a year, usually in June and December, with payment due 60 days later.
- Online payment through tax.fairfaxcounty.gov is the fastest method and posts the same day, though credit card payments carry a 2.5% fee.
- Late payments trigger a 10% penalty plus interest at 0.75% per month, starting the day after the due date.
- If you own the property jointly or have recently bought or sold, contact the Department of Tax Administration to confirm whose name the bill is under and whether you owe a portion.
When your payment is due and what happens if you miss the deadline
Real estate tax bills in Fairfax County are issued twice yearly. The summer bill (covering July through December of the previous year) is usually mailed in June, with payment due around August 10. The winter bill (covering January through June) is usually mailed in December, with payment due around February 10. The exact dates shift slightly each year, so check your bill for the specific due date.
If you pay after the due date, the county assesses a 10% penalty on the unpaid balance, plus interest at 0.75% per month (9% annually). The penalty and interest start accruing the day after the due date, even if you are only one day late. For example, a $2,000 tax bill paid 30 days late would owe roughly $200 in penalty plus $15 in interest.
If your bill remains unpaid for more than a year, the county can file a tax lien against your property. A lien means the county has a legal claim on your home and can eventually force a sale to recover the debt. You can still pay at any point and remove the lien, but the longer you wait, the more interest and penalty accumulate.
Setting up automatic payments or payment plans
You can set up automatic recurring payments through the county's online portal. This is useful if you want to pay in installments rather than one lump sum at the due date. Log into your account at tax.fairfaxcounty.gov, select your property, and choose the payment schedule that works for you.
If you cannot pay the full amount by the due date and have not set up a plan in advance, contact the Department of Tax Administration at 703-222-8234 to discuss your options. The county does not automatically offer payment plans for overdue bills, but staff can sometimes work with you if you reach out before or shortly after the due date. Waiting until a lien is filed makes negotiation much harder.
Some taxpayers use their mortgage lender's escrow account to pay real estate taxes. If your mortgage includes an escrow, your lender collects a portion of the tax bill each month and pays Fairfax County on your behalf. Check your mortgage statement to see whether taxes are escrowed. If they are, you do not need to pay the county directly — your lender handles it.
Understanding your tax bill and account information
Your Fairfax County real estate tax bill shows your property address, tax account number, assessed value, tax rate, and the amount due. The tax rate is set by the county each year and is the same for all residential properties in unincorporated Fairfax County (properties within incorporated towns like Herndon or Falls Church may have different rates).
You can look up your property's assessed value and tax history online at tax.fairfaxcounty.gov without logging in. Search by address or account number to see what the county believes your home is worth. If you think the assessed value is too high, you can file a Memorandum of Reassessment to request a review, though this must be done within a specific window (usually 30 days of the bill date). Missing this deadline means you cannot challenge the assessment that year.
If you own the property with someone else — a spouse, business partner, or co-owner — the bill may be in one person's name only. Contact the Department of Tax Administration to confirm whose name is on the account and whether you both owe the tax or only one of you. This matters if you are divorcing, selling, or dividing property ownership.
What to do if you did not receive your bill or moved recently
Tax bills are mailed to the address on file with the county. If you moved and did not update your address, your bill may go to your old home. Contact the Department of Tax Administration at 703-222-8234 to update your mailing address and request that a new bill be sent to you. Do not assume you do not owe just because you did not receive the bill — the county still expects payment by the due date, and late fees apply regardless.
If you recently bought the property, the previous owner's name may still be on the bill. The county usually transfers the account to the new owner after the deed is recorded, but this can take several weeks. If you receive a bill for a property you no longer own, contact the Department of Tax Administration with a copy of your deed to have the account transferred. If you are the new owner and have not received a bill yet, call to confirm the account is in your name.
If you own property in Fairfax County but live out of state, you can still pay online or by mail. Some out-of-state owners use a property manager or attorney to handle tax payments on their behalf. Make sure whoever you authorize has your tax account number and knows the due dates.
Penalties, interest, and what happens if you ignore the bill
The 10% penalty and 0.75% monthly interest are not the only costs of paying late. If your account remains unpaid for an extended period, the county may refer your debt to a collection agency or attorney, and you could be responsible for collection costs and legal fees on top of the original tax, penalty, and interest.
A tax lien filed against your property becomes part of the public record and can affect your ability to refinance your mortgage, sell the property, or borrow money. Lenders and title companies will see the lien and may refuse to work with you until it is paid off. If the lien remains unpaid for several years, the county can hold a tax sale and sell your home to recover the debt, though Virginia law provides some protections for homeowners before that happens.
If you are struggling to pay, reach out to the Department of Tax Administration before the bill becomes severely overdue. They cannot forgive the tax itself, but they may be able to discuss payment timing or connect you with resources if your hardship is temporary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my Fairfax County real estate tax with a credit card without a fee?
No. Credit card payments through the county's online system incur a 2.5% processing fee. Debit card payments have a lower fee (around 1%). If you want to avoid fees entirely, pay by check through the mail, in person at the county office, or by electronic bank transfer (ACH), which has no fee.
What if I pay online but my payment does not show up on my account?
Online payments post the same day during business hours. If you paid after 5 p.m. or on a weekend, it may not appear until the next business day. Check your confirmation number and the payment date on your receipt. If more than one business day has passed and the payment still does not show, call the Department of Tax Administration at 703-222-8234 with your confirmation number.
Do I have to pay real estate tax if I am on a fixed income or disability?
You still owe the tax, but Virginia offers a Property Tax Relief Program for seniors and disabled homeowners with low incomes. You must meet income and age requirements and own and occupy the home as your primary residence. Contact the Department of Tax Administration or visit the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development website to learn whether you may be may be able to access and how to request relief.
What happens if my house is in foreclosure — do I still owe real estate tax?
Yes. Real estate taxes remain your responsibility until the foreclosure is complete and the lender or new owner takes title. If you are in foreclosure, prioritize paying your real estate tax to avoid a lien on top of the mortgage default. Contact your lender and the Department of Tax Administration to discuss your situation.
Can I deduct my Fairfax County real estate tax on my federal income tax return?
You may be able to deduct state and local property taxes (SALT) on your federal return, but there is a cap of $10,000 per year. Consult a tax professional or the IRS website to determine whether your situation qualifies and how to claim the deduction.