Appealing Your Vehicle Assessment

The assessed value of a vehicle can be appealed for:

• Body damage
• High mileage

Legal Basis for Uniform Assessments

• The Department of Tax Administration (DTA) assesses vehicles using the values found in a recognized pricing guide to ensure the uniformity and equity of all assessments within the county. (Code of Virginia § 58.1-3503.A.3)
• The assessment reflects the value as of January 1 of the tax year from January 1 through December 31. (Code of Virginia § Section 58.1-3515)
• To meet these requirements, Fairfax County uses the “clean trade-in value,” in J.D. Power’s Official Used Car Guide (Eastern January 1 Edition) for most vehicles. For more information about vehicle valuation, refer to our Vehicle Assessment Methods page.

Please read the following information before appealing your vehicle tax assessment:

• Appeals and requests involving situs, ownership, or the proper garage jurisdiction, should be sent to DTA via email to dtappd@fairfaxcounty.gov Please be specific in your appeal to the assessment and provide detail.
• If you feel your vehicle has been valued incorrectly, you may appeal your assessment to DTA (Code of Virginia § 58.1-3980, et seq.). Appeals may be submitted to DTA via email to dtappd@fairfaxcounty.gov Be sure to be specific in your objection to the assessment.
• Appealing your assessment doesn’t guarantee that your vehicle tax assessment will be lowered.
• To avoid penalty and interest charges, tax payments must be received by the due date, even if you choose to file an appeal or are awaiting an appeal result. If your assessment is changed, you will receive a refund based on the corrected assessment.
• An appeal becomes official once you have mailed the required documents (as determined by the post office postmark) or delivered them to DTA.
• You also can appeal your assessment by filing suit against DTA in the Fairfax County Circuit Court. (Code of Virginia § 58.1-3984)

High Mileage Appeal

The following documents must be submitted when appealing your vehicle assessment due to high mileage:

• copy of a recent State Safety Inspection receipt, oil change, repair receipt or similar document showing the mileage
• copy of the vehicle registration or a tax bill

Adjustments are based on the valuation guidelines.

Body Damage Appeal

If you feel that your vehicle has not been assessed correctly due to body damage that causes the vehicle’s value to be less than the official assessed value, you must submit the following documents:

• Vehicle Tax Appeal Form
• You must also attach a detailed damage and repair estimate written by an insurance adjustor, auto appraiser, or auto repair facility. The estimate must be on business letterhead, clearly identify the vehicle, and describe in detail each devaluing condition. In addition, the estimate must include the name, address, phone number, and signature of the adjustor or appraiser.

Your application will be reviewed and you will be notified in writing of the decision.

Submit all appeal documentation to DTA via email to dtappd@fairfaxcounty.gov or mail it to:

Please Note: If there are other issues, such as incorrect information on your assessment (if you have sold your vehicle, moved your vehicle out of Fairfax County, etc.) please email our office at dtappd@fairfaxcounty.gov or call us at 703-222-8234 so that we can correct your assessment.