Tag: taxes
Bulova appoints task force to consider meals tax referendum
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Sharon Bulova appointed a task force April 22 to explore the possibility of putting a meals tax referendum on the ballot. The task force will submit its recommendations to the board June 17. The task force will be co-chaired by former BoS Chair Kate Hanley and former BoS Chair … Continued
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
Study confirms economic benefits of Columbia Pike Streetcar
The Columbia Pike Streetcar system will generate $3.2 billion to $4.4 billion in incremental benefits for Arlington and Fairfax County over the next 30 years, reports a study released March 26 by H&R Advisors Inc. That’s $2.2 billion to $3 billion more than would be generated by an enhanced bus system. The benefits derive from … 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
FCPS leaders urge supervisors to avert school budget crisis
A fourth-grade class at Mason Crest Elementary School. Now that the Board of Supervisors has released an advertised budget for fiscal year 2015 that would only provide a 2 percent increase in the amount of funds to be transferred to Fairfax County Public Schools—rather than a 5.7 percent increase sought by Superintendent Karen Garza and … Continued
Board of Supervisors to consider two-cent increase in tax rate
The Board of Supervisors The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted March 4 to advertise a fiscal year 2015 real estate tax rate of $1.105 per $100 of assessed value. That’s a two-cent increase from the current rate of $1.085. “Advertising a higher rate sets an upper threshold as budget decisions are considered,” said BoS … 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
Workshops focus on helping eligible people apply for property tax relief
Residents who qualify for real estate tax relief are invited to attend a workshop at the Mason District Government Center hosted by Mason Supervisor Penny Gross in collaboration with the Fairfax County Department of Tax Administration. At the workshops, scheduled for March 4 and 6, 9 a.m.-noon, county staff will help residents complete the tax … 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
$140.7 million shortfall projected for Fairfax County schools budget
A class at Falls Church High School. Every year, Fairfax County Public Schools officials start getting ready for the budget cycle with dire predictions about the lack of funds—and somehow they find the money to keep going. This year, it’s a lot worse, says Superintendent Karen Garza. There is a $140.7 million shortfall, which Garza … 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
Virginia Senate passed bill to raise gas tax
More state transportation funds are needed for projects to relieve traffic congestion, including roads like Little River Turnpike as shown here. The Virginia Senate passed a transportation package this week that would generate $900 million in new revenue for annually and enable localities to put in place additional funding to meet their transportation needs. The … Continued