Car Tax Payments are Due Oct. 5 – What You Need to Know

ONLINE PAYMENT ISSUES

Oct. 3, 12:30 p.m.
A widespread issue is impacting online payments on the county website, including car taxes. Our Department of Information Technology is working with its vendors to fix the issue as quickly as possible. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Personal property taxes — better known as car taxes — are due on Wednesday, Oct. 5. Bills were mailed this summer, and there are many convenient ways to pay.

Ways to Pay: Online is Quick, Easy and Free!

Save gas and time by paying online — it's quick, easy and free when you use an e-check. When paying by e-check or via debit or credit card, you can schedule when you want the money to be sent from your bank account.

While you can pay online using a credit or debit card, be aware that a third-party service fee will be applied.

Other ways to pay include by phone (third-party service fee will be applied); call 703-222-6740, TTY 711 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Or return your payment by mail using the envelope that came with your bill. 

• Make checks or money orders payable to "County of Fairfax."
  Use envelope provided with your bill or mail to:
  Department of Tax Administration
  12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 223
  Fairfax, VA 22035
• Do NOT send cash.
• Payments postmarked on or before the due date are considered to be on time, regardless of date received.

If you are paying with a check or money order, you can also put your payment in the secure, red drop boxes at the Fairfax County Government Center — or put it in the book drops at these six libraries:

• Burke Centre
• Dolley Madison
• George Mason Regional
• Oakton Community
• Reston Regional
• Sherwood Regional

If you decide to pay in person at the Fairfax County Government Center (Suite 223), be prepared to wait in line. Tax offices are open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays — and we will offer extended hours for service in person or by phone:

• Monday, Sept. 26 to Wednesday, Oct. 5: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (weekdays only)

Understanding Your Car Tax

Not sure why you received a bill or how the total was calculated? Watch this short video to learn more. 

Keep in mind that car tax bills increased on average by 33% this year, due to the pandemic-induced shortage of new and used cars. 

Your bill includes a local registration fee for vehicles regularly garaged, stored or parked in Fairfax County. If you live in Clifton, Herndon or Vienna, these localities each charge their own local registration fee that is included on your Fairfax County tax bill.

This registration fee is separate and distinct from the state registration fee paid to the Virginia DMV.

Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute!

If you have a question or concern about your tax bill, contact the Department of Tax Administration:

• Call 703-222-8234 (English) or 703-324-3855 (Español), TTY 711, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (to 6 p.m. from  Sept. 26 to Oct. 5)
• Send an email
• Visit the tax counter at the Fairfax County Government Center weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (to 6 p.m. from Sept. 26 to Oct. 5)

You can also access your personal property (car tax) and real estate tax account information securely online via our MyFairfax web portal. When you create an account, MyFairfax enables you to:

• Access tax information.
• Register new vehicles or update vehicles moved or sold.
• View current and past real estate assessments and payment information.

Tax Relief

You may qualify for tax relief if you are at least 65 years old, or permanently and totally disabled, and meet the income and asset eligibility requirements. Learn more about tax relief to see if you qualify or call 703-222-8234, TTY 711.