Tag: taxes
Fairfax County’s economic situation shows some improvement
The latest economic indicators report for Fairfax County prepared by the Department of Management and Budget presents a mixed bag. Here’s the positive news: Home prices are up. The average sales price of all homes that sold in January 2017 in Fairfax County was $545,772, an increase of 8.1 percent over the average price of … Continued
Bleak funding outlook presented at Budget Town Hall
Fairfax County’s financial situation remains stagnant, as cost pressures rise, revenue isn’t expected to increase much, and there aren’t any new funding sources available. That’s the bleak picture of the FY 2018 advertised budget presented by County Executive Ed Long at a Town Hall hosted by Mason Supervisor Penny Gross March 9. The county’s needs are greater … Continued
Volunteers help lower-income residents file taxes
AARP Volunteers provide tax assistance. [AARP Foundation] Need help filing your income tax forms? Volunteers with the AARP Foundation’s Tax Aide program are providing free walk-in tax assistance to low to moderate-income people at the Mason Government Center Tax Aide volunteers will be there 1-8 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays; 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and … Continued
Home assessments are up 1.3 percent in Annandale
Real estate assessments rose an average of 0.68 percent from 2016 to 2017 for residential homes in Fairfax County. The average home is assessed at $533,168. Residential assessments in Annandale rose an average of 1.32 percent, the second highest increase of any area except Burke. The average home value in Annandale is $451,164. The biggest … Continued
Lawmakers, residents call for more regulations on short-term rentals
Panelists discuss the Airbnb law (from the left): Mason Hills Citizens Association President Mike Rioux, code compliance official Elizabeth Perry, zoning administrator Leslie Johnson, Del. Kaye Kory, and Sen. Dick Saslaw, Local residents who attended a meeting on short-term rentals Oct. 5 raised concerns about homeowners filling up their homes with transients, leading to declining … Continued
Meals tax debated at public forum
A forum on the meals tax featured (from the left) supporters Phil Niedzielski-Eichner and Pat Hynes and opponents Pat Herrity, and Jon Norton. At a forum on a Fairfax County meals tax, supporters of the referendum argued the extra revenue is needed to maintain a high-quality school system, while opponents said they preferred spending cuts. The … Continued
Fairfax County officials push for passage of meals tax
FCPS Superintendent Karen Garza speaks in support of a meals tax. Additional resources are essential if Fairfax County is to maintain a high-quality school system, said Schools Superintendent Karen Garza at a fundraiser Sept. 11 in support of a meals tax. “I’m profoundly proud of our school system and also deeply concerned about its future,” … Continued
Crackdown on out-of-state cars yields more tax revenue
This car was parked at an Annandale apartment complex. Fairfax County is encouraging residents to report online cars with out-of-state license plates that are habitually parked in their neighborhood This effort is part of Operation Target, a program started a year ago by the Department of Tax Administration (DTA) to catch potential tax evaders and … Continued
Sales tax holiday this weekend
Planning on a shopping spree? This weekend would be a good time to do it. Aug. 5-7 is Virginia’s “sales tax holiday.” You can buy school supplies, back-to-school clothes, hurricane and emergency preparedness items, and appliances without paying the state sales tax. Eligible items listed on the Virginia Department of Taxation website include: School supplies, … Continued
Board of Supervisors approves meal tax referendum
Meals tax supporters outside the BoS meeting room. Fairfax County voters will find a meals tax referendum on their election ballots in November. The Board of Supervisors approved a resolution by an 8-2 vote June 7 to put a 4 percent meals tax on the ballot. The two supervisors who voted against the meals tax … Continued
Supervisors to vote on meals tax referendum on June 7
A sign in Silverado. On June 7, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to vote on whether a meals tax should be put to voters on the Nov. 8 election ballot. If the board approves the referendum, Fairfax County citizens will be able to vote yes or no on a meals tax on … Continued
Supervisors approve 4-cent tax increase
The FY 2017 Fairfax County budget adopted by the Board of Supervisors April 26 increases the real estate tax rate by 4 cents and gives a much-needed boost to the public schools. The tax rate for residential properties will rise from $1.09 to $1.13 per $100 of the assessed value. Homeowners on average will pay … Continued
School funds, meals tax among issues raised at Budget Town Hall
Long The Mason District Budget Town Hall March 26 offered a clash of opinions over spending on schools. The proposed 4-cent property tax increase in the advertised budget for FY 2017 approved by the Board of Supervisors last month would go a long way toward helping the county meet the needs of Fairfax County Public … Continued
The Fairfax County budget: 10 things you need to know
The slogan for school funding advocates. (1) The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and School Board are engaged in a contentious conflict about how much of a funding increase should go to the public school system. The budget proposed by Deputy County Executive Ed Long proposes transferring $1.88 billion to FCPS for operating expenses, an … Continued
Real estate assessments up 1.6 percent
The average assessment for homes in Annandale is up 1.89 percent. More than half of residential real estate in Fairfax County (55 percent) increased in value over the year due to equalization, with an average increase of 1.64 percent. The county is in the process of mailing homeowners updated real estate assessments for 2016. You … Continued