Delinquent Collections


  • The Department of Tax Administration Revenue Collection Division is tasked with the billing and collection of all Fairfax County taxes. It is our goal to achieve the full collection of all current and delinquent taxes, license fees, and miscellaneous revenues while providing quality customer service.

  • The Delinquent Collection section has several enforcement and collection methods to aid in the collection of past due taxes that do not require court intervention. These methods include the following:

    • Payment Plans - On occasion, owners cannot pay any or all of their tax liability. The payment plan, which spreads the total tax liability over time, is designed only to stop legal action for collection of delinquent taxes. It is a formal, signed agreement between the Department of Tax Administration and the taxpayer. The typical payment plan requires that the taxpayer make an initial payment of 40% of the taxes due; the remaining balance will then be paid in installments over a time period that falls within the statute of limitations. Other arrangements may be negotiated. All payments, following the first 40%, must be received via Electronic Check (e-Check).

      Pay Real Estate Taxes by e-Check

      Pay Car Taxes by e-Check

      Pay Business Personal Property Taxes by e-Check

    • Wage Liens - The Department of Tax Administration makes arrangements with the delinquent taxpayer's employer to garnish the wages of the delinquent taxpayer in the amount that is owed. It may be necessary to garnish more that one paycheck in order to satisfy the tax liability.

    • Bank Liens - The Department of Tax Administration makes arrangements with the delinquent taxpayer's bank to recover from the taxpayers' account(s) the amount that is owed.

    • Boot/Tow Orders - In cooperation with the Office of the Sheriff, the Department of Tax Administration may "boot" or tow the delinquent taxpayer's vehicle until such time that the taxpayer pays all outstanding taxes.

    • Set-off Debt - The Department of Tax Administration notifies the State of Virginia that the taxpayer owes delinquent Fairfax County taxes. The State notifies the County when the taxpayer has funds available at the State level that may be used to satisfy the tax liabilities. Typically, the State will notify the County of the taxpayer's pending state income tax refunds and lottery winnings.

    • Publication of Delinquent Taxpayer Lists - Delinquent Taxpayer lists are run bi-weekly on Cox Cable Channel 16.

    • Collection Agencies and Credit Bureaus - In some cases, the Department of Tax Administration determines that an outside agency has information or methods that are more likely to result in the collection of delinquent taxes. These cases are referred to outside collection agencies under contract.
    • Public Auctions of Real Estate - Properties may be sold at public auction for delinquent real estate taxes. This is generally a last resort collection action inasmuch as the Department of Tax Administration (DTA) has a wide array of collection tools and the County has an outstanding collection rate. If real estate must be sold to collect delinquent taxes, any tax sale would be handled by the County's contract legal firm for such collections. If you have questions or would like to be added to a potential bidders list for real estate public auctions, please send an e-mail with your name, mailing address and e-mail address to DTA's Revenue Collection Division. You will only be notified in the event a public auction is scheduled. Please note, the Code of Virginia does not authorize the sale of tax lien certificates. Sales only occur at public auction, and the sale conveys title to the property itself. See Real Estate currently scheduled for Public Auction.

    • Public Auctions of Personal Property - DTA may also sell vehicles and certain business equipment at public auction for the collection of delinquent taxes. If you have questions or would like to be added to a potential bidders list for personal property public auctions, please send your contact information to DTA's Revenue Collection Division. Vehicles and equipment currently scheuduled for Public Auction.

  • When the Delinquent Collections section determines that all collection methods at their disposal have been exhausted, the case will be forwarded to the County Attorney for legal action.

  • If you have any questions regarding the collection of delinquent taxes, call us at 703-222-8234 (TTY: 703-222-7594).

 



Contact Us: General (Office of Public Affairs) | Technical (Web Administrator) | Directed Inquiries (County Agencies)
Phone: County Main Number - 703-FAIRFAX (703-324-7329), TTY 711 | County Phone Listing

Accessibility | Awards | FOIA | Mobile | Using this Site | Web Disclaimer & Privacy Policy
Official site of the County of Fairfax, Virginia, © Copyright 2009

Web Site Survey**Survey: Provide Feedback About the Web Site, Including This Page**


Return to Graphic Version