Tag: taxes
Real estate assessments are up 4.3 percent
Real estate assessments for residential properties in Fairfax County for 2026 are up an average of 4.31 percent from last year, the Department of Tax Administration announced Feb. 17. County Executive Bryan Hill’s recommendation for the advertised budget for FY 2027 would retain the current real estate tax rate of $1.1225 per $100 of assessed … Continued
Free tax filing help available starts next week
Volunteers with the AARP Foundation will provide free tax-filing help at the Mason District Government Center and James Lee Community Center beginning in February. The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers help taxpayers prepare and e-file federal tax returns, while helping them get the deductions and credits for which they qualify. Although the program has no set … Continued
Meals tax takes effect on Jan. 1
Dining out will get a little more expensive on Jan. 1. That’s when Fairfax County’s new meals tax takes effect. The Board of Supervisors approved a 4 percent food and beverage tax in May. The tax applies to prepared meals and beverages sold at restaurants, cafes, bars, bakeries, food trucks, and other establishments that offer … Continued
Del. Watts outlines legislative priorities
The huge electoral win by Virginia Democrats earlier this year offers a big opportunity to get their legislative priorities enacted by the General Assembly. However, the continuing cuts in federal funding will pose a huge challenge to the state budget. A Democratic agenda The Democratic victory “gives us the flexibility to really have a dialogue … Continued
Car tax deadline extended
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has extended the personal property tax deadline from Oct. 6 to Wednesday, Nov. 5. The extension gives residents additional time to submit their payments without incurring any interest or late fees. “We understand the financial challenges many residents are facing this year, particularly our federal workforce impacted by the … Continued
Virginia is having a tax holiday Aug. 1-3
Planning to buy a home appliance or generator? If you can hold off for a bit, you’ll be able to get it tax-free. Virginia’s annual sales tax holiday, Aug. 1-3, covers school supplies, clothing, emergency preparedness items, and Energy Star™ WaterSense™ products. The tax holiday starts on 12:01 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 1, and ends … Continued
Board approves meals tax, cuts tax rate
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors agreed to reduce the tax rate, impose a meals tax, and fully fund middle school afterschool programs. Those are the key takeaways from the FY 2026 budget markup approved by the board on May 6. The advertised budget presented to the board in February proposed increasing the property tax rate by … Continued
Mason District leaders to fight for funds for the middle school afterschool program
Mason Supervisor Andres Jimenez and Mason School Board member Ricardy Anderson both said they will fight to ensure continued funding for the middle school afterschool program. Jimenez and Anderson spoke at a virtual Mason District Budget Town Hall on March 26, along with County Executive Bryan Hill and Fairfax County Public Schools Chief Financial Officer … Continued
Board of Supervisors to hold a hearing on a proposed meals tax
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors agreed on March 18 to authorize a public hearing on a meals tax. The hearing, scheduled for April 22, would consider an amendment to the Fairfax County Code to impose a food and beverage tax of up to 4 percent on meals sold by restaurants and caterers. If the … Continued
Fairfax County executive proposes a lean budget for FY 2026
Fairfax County Executive Bryan Hill presented a proposed 2026 budget to the Board of Supervisors that would increase the real estate tax by 1.5 cents and cut spending by $60 million. The FY 2026 Advertised Budget Plan would provide a $125.3 million increase in funds for Fairfax County Public Schools – far below the $268.3 … Continued
Real estate assessments are up 6.6%
Residential real estate assessments rose an average of 6.65% from 2024 to 2025, Fairfax County reports. The average assessment for all homes countywide is $794,235. In Mason District, average assessments are up 5.63%. That’s the lowest among the county’s nine supervisory districts. Look up your home’s assessment here. After adding your home’s address, select “values” … Continued
AARP volunteers help residents file taxes
The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program starts this week. AARP volunteers will provide free federal tax return preparation and e-filing at 11 locations in Northern Virginia, including the Mason Government Center and the James Lee Community Center. Although everyone is welcome to take advantage of this service, Tax-Aide clients are generally low and middle-income seniors, … Continued
Plastic bag tax generated over $6 million
Fairfax County’s plastic bag tax has generated over $6.2 million in revenue since it took effect on Jan. 1, 2022, the county reports. The largest share of those funds supported Operation Stream Shield, a program that pays homeless people for temporary work removing debris from streams and other locations. Funds also went to waste collection … Continued
Virginia tax holiday starts Friday
During Virginia tax holiday Aug. 2-4, certain hurricane and emergency preparedness supplies, Energy Star and WaterSense products, school supplies, and clothing are tax-free.
Supervisors consider a meals tax
The Board of Supervisors approved a motion May 21 calling for county staff to consider a proposal for a tax on restaurant meals of 1 to 6 percent. The measure passed on a 9-1 vote. Supervisor Pat Herrity (Springfield), the only Republican on the board, voted against it. Supervisor Dalia Palchik (Providence) presented a joint … Continued