How Often Do You Have to Pay Property Tax in Virginia?
Apr, 27 2025
Property taxes in Virginia aren’t just a once-a-year thing. If you own a house, land, or even a condo, you’ll find yourself paying property tax more often than you might think. Most cities and counties in Virginia split your bill into two or even more chunks. So, get ready for a payment rhythm that keeps coming back, just like clockwork.
The twist? There’s no state-wide due date. Your property tax calendar lives and breathes depending on where you live. In Fairfax County, you face deadlines in July and December. Hop over to Virginia Beach—it’s June and December. Some rural spots might stick to one big bill, but that’s rare these days. Point is, you can’t copy your neighbor’s schedule if they live a few counties away.
If you just moved to Virginia or bought your first place, don’t just wait for a postcard or email. Some counties expect you to check their website or call in for your bill. Ignoring this step? That’s how people end up with late fees and, in extreme cases, a lien on their property. Not fun.
- How Property Tax Works in Virginia
- Typical Payment Schedules & Deadlines
- Penalties for Missing Payments
- Tips for Stress-Free Payments
How Property Tax Works in Virginia
Here’s the lowdown on property tax in Virginia: every city and county collects it, and it’s not the same everywhere. The local government needs cash for schools, emergency services, roads, and trash pickup, so they set their own property tax rates. The state doesn’t touch this money—it stays local to cover stuff around your neighborhood.
Your tax bill is based on the assessed value of your property, not what you paid for it or what your buddy thinks it’s worth. Every year, the city or county looks at home sales or nearby properties and updates their records. They multiply this assessed value by the local tax rate, and boom—that’s your bill.
For example, let’s say you’ve got a house worth $350,000 in Fairfax County. The property tax rate in 2024 is $1.13 per $100 of assessed value. That comes out to a yearly bill of around $3,955. Here’s how it shakes out:
| County | Assessed Value | Tax Rate (2024) | Annual Bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairfax | $350,000 | $1.13 / $100 | $3,955 |
| Virginia Beach | $350,000 | $0.99 / $100 | $3,465 |
One thing to watch: rates can change. If the local government needs more money, they might bump up the rate by a few cents. On the flip side, sometimes rising property values mean your bill still goes up, even if the rate stays flat.
Some folks get relief—seniors, people with disabilities, and veterans can sometimes score a discount or even a full exemption. But you’ve got to apply with the right paperwork each year, or those savings vanish.
Bottom line, if you own real estate in Virginia, the county or city decides your bill, updates your assessed value, and sets the payment schedule. Knowing these basics helps you avoid surprises, especially when you’re budgeting for the year.
Typical Payment Schedules & Deadlines
The most useful thing to know about property tax payments in Virginia? There is no one-size-fits-all rule—it all boils down to where your property sits. Most localities want their money in two main installments every year. For example, Fairfax County asks for payments by July 28 and December 5. Over in Virginia Beach, it’s June 5 and December 5. Can’t forget Richmond either: their deadlines are January 14 and June 14. Forget to mark your calendar and that late fee comes fast.
But not every place does things the same way. Some smaller counties—like Carroll or Highland—still send one annual bill, usually late fall. Don’t assume, though. Local rules can change with one vote at a county board meeting.
| Locality | 1st Due Date | 2nd Due Date |
|---|---|---|
| Fairfax County | July 28 | December 5 |
| Virginia Beach | June 5 | December 5 |
| Richmond City | January 14 | June 14 |
| Roanoke | April 6 | October 5 |
If you want a cheat code, most counties stick with their payment traditions for years, but always check your local Treasurer’s site just to be sure. Not every area sends reminders—especially if you just bought the place or changed your mailing address.
Here's a tip straight from the Virginia Department of Taxation:
"Localities set their own due dates for property tax payments, so homeowners should always confirm their specific bill schedule with local officials or online portals."It’s never smart to just guess or go by what your neighbor told you. Each county’s got its quirks—some even let you set up monthly drafts if you don’t want to deal with big bills twice a year.
Want to stay ahead? Set your own calendar reminders a week before the official deadlines. That way, you always beat the late fee rush and keep your property tax record spotless.
Penalties for Missing Payments
Missing a property tax deadline in Virginia isn’t something you want to risk. Counties don’t mess around when it comes to late payments—thinking the system will give you a break or forget is wishful thinking. The reality is, late fees stack up quick, and if you let it slide too long, things only get messier (and more expensive).
Here’s what really happens: Most Virginia counties and cities slap you with a penalty as soon as the day after your due date. For example, Fairfax County charges a flat 10% penalty right away. That means if your tax bill is $2,000 and you forget the due date, there’s an extra $200 added almost immediately. Other places like Richmond and Loudoun County have similar rates.
But it doesn’t stop there. Interest kicks in each month your bill sits unpaid. We’re talking an interest rate that usually floats around 10% annually, but it’s calculated monthly so it keeps piling up. By the end of the year, your original tax bill could easily be hundreds of dollars higher than you planned.
| County/City | Late Penalty | Interest Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Fairfax County | 10% of tax due | 10% per year |
| Loudoun County | 10% of tax due | 10% per year |
| Virginia Beach | 10% of tax due | Up to 10% per year |
If you still don’t pay, things get worse. Your name can land on a public delinquent list, and after a certain point (for some counties, about two years), the county could actually sell your home at auction to recover what you owe. Not paying property tax can even tank your credit if your mortgage company gets involved.
If you missed a payment but can pay now, do it as soon as possible—even partial payments help. For folks in real trouble, some counties offer payment plans or waivers if you meet specific hardship criteria, but you have to reach out and ask. Ignoring the bill never gets you off the hook; it just makes the financial pain worse as those penalties and interest stack up every month.
Tips for Stress-Free Payments
Trying to keep up with property tax payments in Virginia can feel like a moving target if you’re not paying attention. Here’s how you can stay on top of things, dodge penalties, and avoid last-minute panic.
- Mark Your Calendar: As soon as you get your bill—or know your county’s due dates—punch them into your phone or calendar app. Most Virginia counties stick with two payments per year, but some cities split it into quarterly chunks. Set up reminders about a week before each deadline.
- Sign Up for E-Billing: Many counties offer free e-billing or payment alerts, so you never have to rely on snail mail. Fairfax County, for example, will send emails a month out from the due date.
- Pay Online for Speed: Nearly every city and county now offers an online portal to pay your property tax. Paying online is faster and lets you print receipts instantly in case there’s ever a dispute.
- Double-Check Mortgage Escrow: If your mortgage company handles taxes, don’t assume it’s always perfect. Call them once a year and match your escrow statements with your county’s tax portal. Errors can and do happen.
- Apply for Any Exemptions Early: Virginia offers tax relief for seniors, veterans, and sometimes people with disabilities, but there are deadlines. Don't wait until tax season—reach out to your county’s assessor office and get forms in early.
Just to see how counties stack up, here’s how a few popular spots in Virginia schedule their property tax due dates:
| County/City | Installments Per Year | Common Due Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Fairfax County | 2 | July 28, December 5 |
| Virginia Beach | 2 | June 5, December 5 |
| Richmond | 2 | January 14, July 14 |
| Roanoke County | 2 | April 5, October 5 |
Keep a few bucks set aside for your property tax each month. Even just tucking away a little in a savings account can take the sting out of those bigger payments, especially if you’re paying two or more times a year. Planning ahead now saves headaches later.