Virginia Property Tax Calculator & 2025 Complete Guide
- Scott Westfall
- Jul 18
- 6 min read
Updated: Jul 31
Quickly estimate your 2025 Virginia property tax bill using our free calculator. Explore how local rates and assessments impact your bottom line across every city and county in the Commonwealth.
Table of Contents
How Virginia Property Tax Works
Virginia’s property tax system is local at heart. Counties, independent cities, and many towns set their own nominal tax rate (called the mill rate) each spring, then apply that rate to the assessed value of every parcel. Assessments must equal 100 % of fair-market value under state law § 58.1-3201, although reassessment cycles vary from annual to six-year schedules.
Because rates are local, the Commonwealth’s overall average effective rate is 0.76% of market value, slightly below the U.S. average of 0.90%. The upshot: two identical $400,000 homes can owe very different tax bills depending on their localities.
Key Elements of Property Taxes
Element | Who Sets It? | What It Means |
Assessment | Local assessor | Dollar value placed on your property, ideally at fair market value. |
Nominal Rate | City Council | Cents per $100 of assessed value (e.g., $0.97). |
Effective Rate | — | What you really pay after exemptions/relief. |
Billing Cycle | Local treasurer | Annual, semi-annual, or quarterly. |
Real-Estate vs. Personal Property Taxes
When Virginians say “property tax,” they usually mean real-estate tax (land + improvements). But the Commonwealth also levies a personal property tax on vehicles, business equipment, and some boats.
Personal Property Tax Relief Act (PPTRA): Passenger vehicles that are garaged in Virginia and used < 50 % for business qualify for state-funded relief, lowering your bill by the locality’s annual “relief percentage.”
Rates are higher: Vehicle tax rates run $3–$6 per $100 of assessed value—far higher than real-estate mill rates.
Knowing both taxes is vital when budgeting for a home purchase or investment property.
Average Virginia Property Tax Rate
The table below shows FY 2025 nominal real-estate rates for several key localities our clients ask about most. Use the tool above to model your exact parcel.
Locality | FY 2025 Rate (per $100 AV) | Annual Bill on $400k Home¹ |
Fairfax County | $1.1225 | $4,490 |
City of Virginia Beach | $0.97 | $3,880 |
Loudoun County | $0.805 | $3,220 |
City of Norfolk | $1.23 | $4,920 |
City of Richmond | $1.20 | $4,800 |
¹Example: Multiply rate ÷ 100 × tax assessed value. Your assessed value may differ from market value.
Why the Spread?
Local school budgets, public-safety costs, and commercial tax base size all influence rates. Fairfax’s higher rate funds robust services but is partly offset by higher median incomes, while Loudoun cut its rate for 2025 thanks to a surging data-center tax base.
Virginia Beach Property Tax Spotlight
As Hampton Roads specialists, CGP Real Estate tracks the Virginia Beach property tax rates closely:
Nominal Rate: $0.97 per $100 (steady for five years).
Special Service Districts (SSD): Homes that fall within a Special Service District in Virginia Beach are subject to higher property tax rates. Property taxes from these districts fund beach nourishment and resort-area improvements.
Assessment Trend: FY 2024-2025 assessments rose 6.8 %, the smallest bump in six years, easing pressure on bills.
Tip to Reduce your Virginia Beach Property Tax Rate: Budget for flood insurance and flood mitigation improvements; they can sometimes qualify you for local tax abatements or the Virginia Beach's energy-efficient building rate of $0.82 per $100.
Behind on Property Taxes? What to Know (and Do Next)
Falling behind on property taxes is more common than many Virginians realize – and the clock starts ticking the day after the due date. Here’s what the data (and state law) says:
What Happens | Stat / Rule | Why It Matters |
Immediate 1‑time penalty | Up to 10 % of the unpaid bill on Day 1 of delinquency. | Adds $400 to a $4,000 bill overnight. |
Ongoing interest | Interest may accrue at 10 % APR - or the IRS under‑payment rate (8 % in Q4 2024), whichever’s higher. | A $4,000 balance can grow by ≈ $400 every year it’s unpaid. |
Collection fees | Once an account is 90 days past due, some cities tack on a 20 % third‑party collection fee | A $4,000 bill becomes $4,800 before interest. |
Judicial tax sale window | Localities may petition for a tax‑foreclosure sale after 2 years of delinquency (Spotsylvania policy; permitted statewide) | You could lose the home - and all equity - over a relatively small debt. |
Real‑world impact | Richmond alone reported $50 million in back taxes owed in FY 2023 - up 31 % YoY. Read more. | Even well‑funded cities feel the pinch, so collection pressure is rising. |
Statewide snapshot:
Roughly 1 in 25 Virginia mortgages were at least 30 days delinquent on payments by Q4 2024 - a trend that often precedes tax non‑payment (Mortgage Bankers Association).
Your Options - Ranked from Least to Most Drastic
Set Up a Repayment Plan
Most Treasurer’s offices will spread arrears over 6–24 months before legal fees kick in – but you must ask.
File an Assessment Appeal
If your valuation is inflated, a successful appeal can knock thousands off both your past‑due balance and future bills.
Explore Relief & Deferral Programs
Seniors (65+), vets with disabilities, and low‑income homeowners may qualify for 100% exemption in many counties. Check local income/asset caps.
Refinance or Home‑Equity Loan
Rates are higher than two years ago, but still cheaper than 10% penalty + 10% interest + collection fees.
Sell Before a Lien or Auction
If your equity is large but cash is tight, a fast sale maintains what you’ve built. CGP can list or in some cases buy homes with taxes already owed to stop the clock.
Unsure where you stand?
Book a confidential, no‑pressure call with CGP’s licensed agents. We’ll pull your county ledger, calculate the true payoff – including penalties and interest – and map the cheapest path forward.
Waiting only makes the numbers grow. Let’s get you a plan today.
Ways to Lower Your Property Tax Bill
File an Assessment Appeal: If recent comps suggest your value is inflated, present to the City recent MLS sales, a formal appraisal, and photos of un-renovated interiors.
Claim Relief Programs: Seniors and disabled homeowners may qualify for full or partial exemptions; veterans can tap state disability relief.
Energy-Efficient Upgrades: Some localities (e.g., Virginia Beach) offer reduced mill rates for LEED-certified buildings.
Strategic Timing of Improvements: If you need a permit for renovations, pull it after January 1 to delay higher assessments for up to a year.
Entity Structuring: Holding rental property in an LLC won’t change the tax rate, but correct depreciation schedules can offset your federal burden -- which is important when you inherit a house and step-up basis.
Virginia vs. West Virginia Property Tax
Metric | Virginia | West Virginia |
Avg. Effective Rate | 0.76 % of market value | ≈ 0.55 % |
Median Annual Bill | $2,300 | $1,016 |
Personal Property Tax? | Yes – statewide | Yes – county level |
Assessment Frequency | 1-6 yrs | 3-year statewide cycle |
Despite lower rates, West Virginia’s slower home-price appreciation means investors often realize higher percentage returns in Virginia, especially in high-growth Hampton Roads.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is property tax in Virginia on average?
Around 0.76 % of a home’s market value—below the national average but highly locality-specific.
What is the Virginia property tax rate in Virginia Beach for 2025? $0.97 per $100 of assessed value.
Does Virginia have a homestead exemption? No statewide homestead program, but many counties offer relief to seniors, the disabled, and certain vets.
I’m behind on taxes—can I avoid losing the house by selling quickly? Selling can transfer tax liability to the buyer—but if you're facing a large outstanding bill, we may be able to help you sell fast and preserve your equity before things escalate. Our Sell Your House Fast in Hampton Roads program is designed with that in mind.
Is personal property tax the same as DMV fees? No. DMV collects registration and titling fees; your locality bills personal property tax, though both use vehicle value and may appear around the same time each year.
Next Steps With CGP Real Estate
Whether you’re a first-time buyer budgeting closing costs, a homeowner debating renovations, or an investor analyzing multi-family cap rates, understanding your property tax liability is a key part of home ownership and real estate investing..
Ask an Agent: Not sure what your next move should be? Book a no-pressure consultation—our licensed agents can review your property tax situation or run numbers for your next deal.
Book a Strategy Call: Whether you’re concerned about an upcoming tax bill or just need clarity on your options, our team can walk you through assessment appeals, 1031s, or available exemptions.
Stay Informed: Subscribe to our blog for updates on all things Virginia Beach real estate.
At CGP Real Estate, your bottom line is our top priority. Let’s make your next move a confident one.