Fairfax County Property Tax Appeal — Virginia

Rob Hartley·Updated February 15, 2026

Fairfax County is Virginia's most populous jurisdiction with over 1.1 million residents and includes the county seat of Fairfax along with major population centers like Tysons, Reston, and McLean. Property tax appeals are particularly important here as the county has a median annual property tax payment of $7,669 , which is more than double the statewide median of $2,872 and the national median at $3,211 . With median home values at $760,400 and an effective property tax rate of 1.01% , understanding the appeal process can help homeowners ensure their assessments are fair and potentially save thousands of dollars annually.

Notable cities: Fairfax, McLean, Reston, Tysons, Vienna, Herndon, Springfield

Median Home

$760,400

Tax Rate

1.01%

Annual Tax

$7,669

Population

1.1 million

2026 Appeal Deadline: June 1

BOE appeals must be postmarked by midnight on June 1 or be postmarked no later than midnight on June 1 . If the filing deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or County holiday, the deadline is the following business day . For 2026, since June 1 falls on a Monday, the deadline remains June 1.

Property in Fairfax County, Virginia — local tax assessment and appeal guide

How Fairfax County Assesses Property

100%of market value

Assessed by: Department of Tax Administration (DTA)

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: February

In Virginia, properties are assessed at 100% of their fair market value, meaning your assessed value should equal what your property would sell for on the open market. For example, if your home's market value is $760,400 (the county median), at Virginia's 100% assessment ratio your assessed value would be $760,400, resulting in approximately $7,669 in annual taxes at the county's effective rate of 1.01%. Tax on the assessed value of real property is based on 100 percent of the fair market value as of Jan. 1 .

The Appeal Process

Appeals are heard by the Board of Equalization. Hearings are conducted in person or virtually. You'll present your case to a panel, and the county assessor will present theirs .

First, contact DTA staff appraisers to discuss your assessment questions by making an appointment, sending an email, or calling(703) 222-8234 weekdays from 8AM to 4:30PM

File an administrative appeal with DTA by April 1, 2026 - must be postmarked by April 1, filed online, or emailed to DTAREDappeals@https://fairfaxcounty.gov by 4:30 p.m.

Complete BOE application form with a written statement describing the error you believe DTA made in determining your property value

Include all supporting evidence with your application including maps, photos, comparable sales, and other documentary evidence - all materials MUST be submitted by the filing deadline

Attend formal hearing where BOE has the power to increase, decrease, or keep the same assessment

If BOE appeal is denied, you can appeal your Fairfax County tax assessment in court

Required form: BOE application form

Filing Methods

online: Online application available for residential properties only at https://fairfaxcounty.gov/taxes

mail:Mail to Board of Equalization, must be postmarked no later than midnight on June 1

email: BoardOfEqualization@https://fairfaxcounty.gov by 4:30 p.m. (EDT)

in-person: Delivered to the BOE office no later than 4:30 p.m. on June 1

Evidence to Bring

Previous appraisals Expert opinions Appraisals for similar properties Maps and photos Market value sales demonstrating assessment is not at fair market value

Fairfax County Assessor Contact

Department of Tax Administration (DTA)

Phone: (703) 222-8234

Address: 12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 223, Fairfax, VA 22035

Website: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/taxes

Online Portal: https://icare.fairfaxcounty.gov/ffxcare/forms/contactushost.aspx/

Hours: weekdays from 8AM to 4:30PM

Tax Exemptions in Fairfax County

Tax Relief for Seniors and People with Disabilities

Maximum assessment equal to 125% of mean assessed value, approximately $992,793 for 2026

Real estate tax relief and car tax relief to citizens who are either 65 or older, or permanently and totally disabled

Eligibility: Maximum gross income of $90,000, with maximum net worth of $400,000 Deadline: May 1

Disabled Veteran Exemption

100% exemption on principal residence

Real estate and personal property exemption for disabled veterans rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to have a 100% service-connected, permanent, and total disability

Eligibility: 100% service-connected disability rating and must occupy the real property as principal residence Deadline: No specific deadline mentioned

Surviving Spouse of Military Killed in Action

100% exemption on principal residence and up to one acre

Exemption of real estate taxes on your home and up to one acre in Virginia for surviving spouses of U.S. Armed Forces members killed in action

Eligibility: Must not have remarried Deadline: No specific deadline mentioned

Solar Equipment Exemption

5-year property tax exemption on the value of solar energy equipment

Tax exemption for installation of solar equipment designed for collection and use of solar energy for water heating, space heating or cooling

Eligibility: Property owners who install qualifying solar energy systemsDeadline: Apply when installing solar equipment

Official Resources

Fairfax County Department of Tax Administration →

Official county website for property tax information, assessment lookup, and filing appeals

Fairfax County Real Estate Assessment Search →

Provides assessed values and physical characteristics for all residential and commercial properties

Board of Equalization Appeal Application →

Download appeal forms and review filing requirements for BOE appeals

Tax Relief Programs →

Information about property tax relief for seniors, disabled residents, and veterans

Check Your Fairfax County Assessment

Enter your address to see if your Fairfax County property is overassessed.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to appeal my property taxes in Fairfax County?

The deadline to appeal your property tax assessment in Fairfax County depends on which appeal route you choose. For administrative appeals filed directly with the Department of Tax Administration, the deadline is April 1 , and applications must be postmarked by that date or submitted online or emailed by 4:30 p.m. For Board of Equalization appeals, the deadline is June 1 , with applications due by 4:30 p.m. if delivered in person or emailed, or postmarked by midnight if mailed. If the filing deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or County holiday, the deadline is extended to the following business day .

How do I file a property tax appeal in Fairfax County online?

Fairfax County offers an online appeal application, but it's available for residential properties only (single family, townhouse, duplex, and condominium) . To file online, visit the county's website at https://fairfaxcounty.gov/taxes and navigate to the real estate appeals section. The online appeal application should take about 15 minutes to complete if you have done your research in advance, and you should have all information ready as the application times out after one hour . Commercial real estate appeals require a different application that must be downloaded from the Tax Forms page .

What is the homestead exemption worth in Fairfax County?

Fairfax County doesn't have a traditional homestead exemption, but offers comprehensive tax relief programs for qualifying residents. The county provides real estate tax relief to citizens who are either 65 or older, or permanently and totally disabled, and meet income and asset requirements . For 2026, the maximum gross income to qualify is $90,000, with a maximum net worth of $400,000 . The program offers tiered relief based on income levels, with some qualifying homeowners with incomes under $60,000 potentially having their property taxes eliminated entirely . Relief is capped at properties assessed at 125% of the mean assessed value, which is approximately $992,793 for 2026 .

What happens at a Board of Equalization hearing in Fairfax County?

At a Board of Equalization hearing in Fairfax County, hearings are conducted either in person or virtually, where you'll present your case to a panel, and the county assessor will present theirs . The burden is on you as the taxpayer to show that your property is valued at more than its fair market value, and you must produce substantial evidence that the assessment is erroneous . The BOE has the power to raise, lower, or affirm any real estate property assessment, and when an appeal is filed, both land and improvement values may be increased, decreased, or affirmed . You cannot introduce new written materials or evidence at the hearing - all documentation must be submitted with your initial application .

How much can I save by appealing my property taxes in Fairfax County?

The amount you can save depends on how much your property is overassessed and whether you can prove your case effectively. Statistics show that about 25% of homes in America are unfairly overassessed, and pay an average of $1,346 too much in property taxes every year . With Fairfax County's base real estate tax rate of $1.1225 per $100 of assessed value , a successful $50,000 reduction in your assessed value would save you approximately $561 per year. For a property assessed at the county's average of $794,235 , even a 5% reduction would save about $446 annually. However, remember that the BOE has the power to raise, lower, or affirm assessments , so appeals can potentially result in increased assessments as well.

What evidence do I need for a Fairfax County property tax appeal?

For residential properties, you should provide market value sales that demonstrate the assessment is not at fair market value or provide similar comparables to prove lack of uniformity . Supporting evidence should include maps, photos, and other documentary evidence you want considered at your hearing . Previous appraisals, expert opinions, and appraisals for similar properties may be attached to the appeal as supporting documentation . For commercial or income producing properties, it is important that the appropriate income and expense survey form has been filed with the office . Any appraisal report must be complete as originally prepared, and for income producing properties, you must include income and expense surveys for the two most recent calendar years .

Can I still file a property tax appeal if I miss the April 1 administrative deadline?

Yes, missing the April 1 administrative appeal deadline doesn't prevent you from appealing your property taxes. An administrative appeal to DTA is not a prerequisite to filing an appeal to the Board of Equalization (BOE) . You can file directly with the BOE, which has a deadline of June 1 for appeals to be postmarked or submitted by 4:30 p.m. if delivered electronically . However, filing an administrative appeal early is recommended as it increases the likelihood of receiving results before the BOE deadline, giving you time to decide whether to proceed with a BOE appeal . Administrative appeals will not be accepted after April 1 , so if you miss this date, the BOE appeal is your primary option.

For state-wide appeal information including Virginia's assessment ratio and deadlines, see our Virginia Property Tax Appeal Guide →

Considering professional help with your appeal? Compare pricing, coverage, and pros/cons in our Best Property Tax Appeal Services (2026) or browse side-by-side service comparisons →

More Virginia Counties

Chesterfield County (Midlothian)Henrico County (Richmond)Loudoun County (Leesburg)Prince William County (Manassas)

← All Virginia property tax appeal info

Sources: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/taxes/real-estate | https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/boe/appeal-application | https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/taxes/real-estate/assessment-appeals | https://smartasset.com/taxes/fairfax-county-virginia-property-tax-calculator

Last verified: 2026-02-15