More than 357,000 updated 2023 real estate assessment notices are being mailed to all property owners. Based on equalization changes (market-driven value increases or decreases), countywide residential real estate assessments are up an average of 6.97%, with the average assessment for all homes at $719,522. In 2022, the countywide average home assessment was $672,639.
At the end of 2022, home sale prices on average were still higher than they were a year before. With mortgage rates increasing during this past summer and fall, the rate of year-over-year price appreciation declined, but it still remained positive.
To look up your current or past assessments, first enter your property’s address in the county’s online database. Next, on the page with your property’s information, click “Values” on the left-hand side to see your present and past assessments, or compare the sale price of your property to others in the neighborhood by clicking on “Neighborhood Sales” on the right-hand side.
Average Assessment Values
Of the total number of residential properties, 89.5% increased in value due to equalization (market-driven increases or decreases). Only 3.1% saw a decrease in value, and assessments are unchanged for the remaining 7.4%.
The breakdown of average home assessments is shown below. Please note that averages are not necessarily indicative of individual properties or neighborhoods.
- Single-family detached homes – $873,149, up 7.80%
- Townhouse/duplex properties – $533,968, up 6.31%
- Condominiums – $334,623, up 3.98%
For commercial properties overall, values increased only modestly (up 1.65% on average) compared to last year. Apartments, industrial properties, and retail properties saw significant increases for 2023. Hotels continued to recover value lost in 2021. On the other hand, regional malls and high-rise office buildings declined in value as the realities of the modern-day consumer and workplace had a negative impact.
Overall, of the 357,540 taxable parcels in Fairfax County:
- 328,096 have an assessment change.
- 29,444 have no assessment change.
WHY YOUR ASSESSMENT MAY HAVE CHANGED
There are several factors that affect real estate assessments:
- Sales in the neighborhood.
- Economic factors such as average number of days homes have been for sale and sales volume.
- Improvements to the property (remodeling, additions).
- New construction and rezoning.
- Property characteristics, such as size, age, condition and amenities.
ASSESSMENTS ARE NOT A BILL
The real estate assessment notice is not a bill. Most homeowners pay real estate tax as part of a monthly mortgage payment. Your mortgage company then sends the taxes directly to Fairfax County. However, some homeowners pay their real estate taxes directly (due July 28 and Dec. 5). Contact your mortgage company if you are not sure how your taxes are paid.
Here’s a sample assessment notice you’ll receive in the mail.
The Tax Levy is an Estimate
The estimated tax levy shown on your assessment notice is just that — an estimate. As required by state law, the estimated tax for 2023 is based on the 2023 assessment and Fairfax County’s 2022 tax rates. This is an estimate because the Board of Supervisors has not yet adopted tax rates for 2023, but will do so as part of the budget process. The “levy,” or tax, is a combination of your current assessment and the current adopted (2022) tax rates.
Important note for participants in the tax relief program: The 2023 tax estimate shown on your notice does not reflect your 2023 tax relief benefit.
Expanded Tax Relief is Available
Seniors and people with disabilities may qualify for real estate tax relief, and the Board of Supervisors recently approved tax relief for the surviving spouses of military members who died in the line of duty.
For 2023, the maximum gross income to qualify for tax relief is $90,000, with a maximum net worth of $400,000.
The filing deadline for your tax relief application is May 1. You will be notified about your tax relief status by June 30.
Appealing your assessment
If you believe that your real estate is incorrectly assessed, you can file an appeal. Appeals should be based on either fair market value, lack of uniformity or errors in property description. Simply saying that the value has increased too much in a single year is not a legal basis for an appeal. Before filing an appeal, we encourage you to contact Tax Administration staff:
- Schedule a phone or video appointment to talk to staff at your convenience.
- Send an inquiry by email.
- Call 703-222-8234, TTY 711, on Mondays to Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
If you still wish to file an appeal, property owners may begin with an administrative appeal. Property owners are encouraged to file this appeal as early as possible. All administrative appeal applications must be submitted by April 3. They must be postmarked by April 3, if mailed in, or they can be emailed, filed online or dropped off at the Department of Tax Administration offices by 4:30 p.m. (EDT) on April 3. No exceptions. No administrative appeals will be accepted after this date. Both non-residential and residential property appeals may be submitted by mail or email, but only residential assessment appeals can be initiated online. You can download appeal applications or call the Tax Administration office to obtain a copy.
Real estate appeals can also be filed with the Board of Equalization (BOE). The BOE conducts formal hearings and considers sworn testimony. BOE appeal forms are available online or by calling the BOE office at 703-324-4891, TTY 711. By law, all appeals to the BOE must be filed and postmarked by June 1 or emailed/uploaded by 4:30PM (EDT) on June 1. No exceptions.
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