Covering Annandale, Bailey's Crossroads, Lincolnia, and Seven Corners in Fairfax County, Virginia

Police warn public of ‘massive tax scam’

Tax scammers have been harassing hundreds of Fairfax County residents over the past several weeks, the Police Department reports. Aggressive callers have been telling people they have “overdue tax balances” and demanding they wire $4,000 to $6,000 immediately. The telephone scammers have been threatening people with statements like: “Your driver’s license has been suspended,” “You … Continued

School funding, taxes dominate Mason Budget Town Hall

Fairfax County Executive Edward Long and Mason Supervisor Penny Gross. Would the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors agree to raise the property tax rate to provide more money for the budget-strapped school system? That’s one of the key questions for the board to decide over the next few weeks. That issue was brought up by … Continued

Real estate property assessments up about 8.2 percent in Annandale

Assessments for townhouses, like this community in Annandale, rose more than single-family houses. Annandale residential property assessments for 2014 are up an average of 8.22 percent over last year, the Fairfax County Department of Tax Administration reported Feb. 25. Only three other “zip code areas” have average assessments that have increased more: Centreville (8.39 percent), … Continued

Tax help available for Mason residents

Volunteers from AARP are offering free, walk-in tax preparation assistance at the Mason District Government Center (6507 Columbia Pike) until April 15. This Tax-Aide program is available 1-8 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays; 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays; and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturdays. All returns are filed electronically. You’ll need to … Continued

Governor candidates attack each other’s credentials and agendas

Terry McAuliffe (left) and Ken Cuccinelli attack one another during a debate. [Photo by NBC4.] At a lively debate Sept. 25, the Democratic candidate for Virginia governor, Terry McAuliffe emphasized his business background and mainstream agenda, while Republican candidate Ken Cuccinelli focused on his experience as attorney general and downplayed his ties to Gov. McDonnell’s … Continued

Lieutenant governor candidates Jackson and Northam clash in debate

From the left: E.W. Jackson, Ralph Northam, and Peggy Fox. [Photo by WUSA9.] At a debate Sept. 24 that pitted E.W. Jackson, the Republican candidate for Virginia lieutenant governor against Democrat Ralph Northam, Jackson tried to downplay some of the more controversial statements he’d made in recent months. Those statements—such as “gay people are perverted” … Continued

Annandale SkillSource Center provides free tax assistance

IRS-certified volunteers are providing free income tax assistance to lower-income people at the Fairfax SkillSource Center, 7611 Little River Turnpike, Suite 300 West, Annandale (the Heritage Center). If could qualify if you earned less than $51,000 in 2012. This service is available Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4-7 p.m., and Saturdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., through April 13. … Continued

Real estate assessments up nearly 4 percent in Annandale

The mean real estate tax assessment for residential properties in Annandale (zip code 20023) is $380,715, in 2013, a 3.99 percent increase from 2012, the  Fairfax County Department of Tax Administration reports. That compares to a 3.5 percent increase county wide from 2012 real estate assessments. The mean assessed value countywide is up 3.13 percent … Continued