Virginia Property Tax Calculator 2026

How Virginia Property Tax Works

Property tax in Virginia is an annual tax levied on real estate by local governments — primarily counties, municipalities, and school districts. The amount you owe is determined by your property's assessed value multiplied by the local mill rate. On average, Virginia homeowners pay 0.78% of their home's value in property tax each year, 0.16 percentage points below the U.S. figure of 0.94%.

The effective rate combines all local levies: county tax, municipal tax, school district tax, and any special assessments. Because Virginia has multiple taxing jurisdictions, your actual rate depends heavily on where in the state your property is located. The 0.78% figure is all real-estate tax paid on owner-occupied homes in Virginia divided by their total value, as published in the Tax Foundation's Property Taxes by State and County, 2026 from Census Bureau American Community Survey data for 2020–2024. It is a statewide average — not a rate any single jurisdiction charges, and not your bill.

The Census Bureau puts the median owner-occupied home in Virginia at $383,700 and the median real-estate tax bill at $2,790 a year — roughly $232 per month when paid through a mortgage escrow account (American Community Survey, 2020–2024).

Who Collects Property Tax in Virginia — and How Rates Are Set

In Virginia, real estate is assessed and taxed by each county or independent city, and in addition by some towns. The local assessor or commissioner of the revenue sets values and the treasurer sends the bill; each locality's governing body sets its own rate.

Mill rates (expressed as dollars of tax per $1,000 of assessed value) are set annually based on local budget needs. Ten mills is 1% of assessed value, which equals 1% of market value only where homes are assessed at full market value. States differ on that — some tax full market value, others a fixed fraction of it — so your assessment notice is the place to check which applies to you. If your home's market value rises faster than neighboring properties, your share of the tax burden can increase even if the mill rate stays the same.

To find your exact rate, contact your city or county real estate assessor's office or check its official website. Your most recent property tax bill will also show the breakdown of all levies applied to your parcel.

Virginia Property Tax Exemptions and Relief Programs

Virginia leaves most relief to localities: state law lets each county, city or town adopt its own real estate tax exemption or deferral for homeowners who are 65 or older or permanently and totally disabled, on the conditions and in the amounts its ordinance sets (Va. Code 58.1-3210). The principal residence of a veteran with a 100% service-connected, permanent and total disability is exempt statewide (Va. Code 58.1-3219.5). Source: Code of Virginia 58.1-3210.

Veterans may qualify for separate property-tax relief, which takes a different form in each state - an exemption, a credit or a refund - so ask your city or county real estate assessor what Virginia offers. Agricultural land often receives a preferential assessment based on use-value rather than market value. If you believe your assessment is incorrect, you have the right to appeal — the deadline is printed on your assessment notice and is often only a few weeks away.

To apply for any exemption, contact your city or county real estate assessor. Most exemptions require an annual or one-time application and proof of eligibility (residency, age, disability documentation, etc.).

Tips to Manage Your Virginia Property Tax Bill

First, verify your assessment is accurate. Review your property record card at your city or county real estate assessor's office and check for errors in square footage, bedroom/bathroom count, or lot size. Even small errors can inflate your assessed value and tax bill. If the assessment seems high, look up recent sale prices of comparable homes in your neighborhood and file an appeal if warranted.

Second, apply for every exemption you qualify for. Homestead, senior, veteran, and disability exemptions can reduce your taxable value by thousands of dollars. Third, if your mortgage servicer handles tax payments through escrow, review your escrow statement annually. Servicers sometimes over-estimate and hold excess funds — you may be entitled to a refund. Finally, Virginia real estate tax due dates are set by each county and city; many bill in two installments.