Personal property taxes — better known as car taxes — are due on Monday, Oct. 6. Bills were mailed this summer, and there are many convenient ways to pay.
Ways to Pay: Online is Quick and Free
Save gas and time by paying online — it's quick and free when you use e-check. When paying by e-check or 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 included 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 in the designated book drops at these five libraries from Sept. 17 to Oct. 6:
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. Extended hours will be available for service in-person or by phone Sept. 29 to Oct. 3 and Monday, Oct. 6: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (weekdays only)
New payment methods are now available if you pay in person, including tap-to-pay with credit cards and Apple Pay, as well as debit card PIN entry. Payments can also be made at the counter with check, credit card and cash.
Understanding Your Car Tax
Not sure why you received a bill or how the total was calculated? Watch this short video to learn more.
By state law, the county must assess a vehicle's value as of Jan. 1 based on a recognized, third-party pricing guide. Fairfax County, as well as all Virginia localities, uses the J.D. Power Official Used Car Guide. While vehicle values may fluctuate during the year — such as some electric vehicles that have declined in price this year — the law requires the county to use the value as of Jan. 1, and the assessment cannot be readjusted on depreciating values throughout the year.
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 Español) TTY 711, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (to 6 p.m. from Sept. 29 - Oct. 3 and Oct. 6)
- 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. 29 - Oct. 3 and Oct. 6)
You can also access your personal property (car tax), business personal property and real estate tax account information securely online via our MyFairfax web portal. The system has been upgraded this year to allow sign in with Google Services or PassKey.
When you create an account on MyFairfax, you can:
- View balances
- Track payments as they post
- View and print your tax bills in PDF format
- Register new vehicles or update vehicles moved or sold
- View current and past real estate assessments and payment information
Tax Relief for Seniors and People with Disabilities
You may qualify for tax relief if you are at least 65 years old, permanently or 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.
Tax System Updates Make Payments Smoother
The county has upgraded its tax systems to make paying and managing accounts faster and more convenient:
- Faster service is now standard. Recent technological upgrades have cut transaction times significantly online, by phone and at the counter. Average online transaction time has dropped by up to 70% during normal usage, and 100% during peak usage.
- Improved customer support tools help staff respond more quickly and provide better assistance. Turnaround time for counter operations has significantly decreased.
- Modernized call center for quicker response times and transactions.
These enhancements are part of a multiyear effort to modernize the county’s tax systems and give residents more flexible, reliable options.
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