Sticker shock when your Alexandria real estate tax bill arrives? You are not alone. Whether you are buying, selling, or planning your budget, understanding how the City calculates your bill will help you stay ahead of deadlines and avoid surprises. In this guide, you will learn how your bill is computed, what each line item means, key dates to remember, relief programs, appeals, and what to expect at closing. Let’s dive in.
How Alexandria calculates your bill
Current tax rate
Alexandria City Council sets the real estate tax rate each spring for the calendar year. For 2025, the rate is $1.135 per $100 of assessed value. Your annual tax is your assessed value divided by 100, then multiplied by the rate. For example, a home assessed at $500,000 would owe $5,675 for the year. You can review how the City computes and bills taxes on the City’s real estate tax page.
Assessed value basics
The City assesses property at 100 percent of estimated fair market value as of January 1 each year. Assessment notices are typically mailed in February. If you want to see your current assessed value, the Office of Real Estate Assessments offers parcel search tools and explains the assessment calendar on its assessment page.
What appears on your bill
Common line items
Your bill usually includes several separate lines:
- Real estate tax based on assessed value and the City tax rate. See billing basics on the real estate tax page.
- Stormwater Utility Fee, which is billed per Equivalent Residential Unit for most homes. Find details on the Stormwater Utility fee page.
- Refuse collection fee for required user properties, billed as a separate line.
- Any special assessments approved by the City, which would appear as distinct entries.
Tip: If your mortgage company escrows taxes, confirm they received the bill and paid it on time.
Key dates and deadlines
Billing schedule
Alexandria bills real estate taxes in two halves each year. First-half bills are typically mailed in May and due in mid-June. Second-half bills are mailed in October and due in mid-November. For 2025, the first-half payment was due June 16, 2025, and the second-half was announced as due November 17, 2025. The City posts schedules and payment guidance on the real estate tax page and announced the first-half 2025 deadline in this news release.
Assessment reviews and appeals
- Assessment date: January 1.
- Notices mailed: typically February.
- Administrative review window: set by the City each year; in 2025 it ran until March 17.
- Board of Equalization appeal deadline: set annually; in 2025 it was June 2.
Start with an administrative review through the Office of Real Estate Assessments. If you are not satisfied, you may appeal to the Board of Equalization and then to Circuit Court as allowed by the Virginia Code’s appeals provisions. Forms, calendars, and contact details are on the City’s assessment page.
Relief and exemptions
Elderly and disabled relief
Alexandria offers a Real Estate Tax Relief & Assistance Program for residents who are 65 or older or permanently and totally disabled. Eligibility is based on income and assets, and applications are due annually, typically by April 15. Relief may be a credit or a deferral. Learn about requirements and how to apply on the City’s tax relief program page.
Disabled veteran exemption
A veteran with a 100 percent service-connected permanent and total disability may qualify for a full exemption on their principal residence. Surviving spouses may also qualify in certain cases. See documentation and timing guidance on the City’s disabled veteran exemption page.
Paying your bill without stress
Payment methods and escrow
You can pay online via credit card or eCheck, by mail, in person at the Treasury Division, or via the City Hall drop-box. If your taxes are escrowed, your mortgage company usually receives the bill directly. Payment methods and contacts are listed on the City’s real estate tax page.
Penalties, interest, and refunds
If you miss a due date, the City typically applies a graduated late penalty. Interest on unpaid taxes generally accrues at 10 percent annually for the first year and 5 percent each year after that. The refuse and stormwater lines may have different penalty and interest rules. For current penalty and interest details, consult the City’s Finance Department FAQs. If your assessment is later reduced, the City may issue a refund once all taxes are current. Pay on time while you appeal to avoid penalties.
Buying or selling? What to expect at closing
Prorations at settlement
In Virginia, property taxes are typically prorated between buyer and seller as of the closing date. If the current year’s rate or assessment is not final, many settlements use the prior year as a basis and reconcile later. Settlement agents handle these credits and charges under Virginia law in Title 55.1.
Supplemental assessments and new bills
State law allows supplemental assessments when value changes during the year, such as new construction or certain ownership changes. That can generate an extra bill that may arrive after closing. The Code of Virginia authorizes these supplemental assessments, so ask your settlement agent whether any post-closing bills are expected and who will pay them. You can read the underlying authority in Virginia’s real property taxation statutes.
Quick checklist for a smooth closing
- Confirm the current tax rate and due dates for your closing year.
- Verify your property’s assessed value and review any recent assessment notice.
- Ask your settlement agent how taxes will be prorated and whether your lender will escrow taxes.
- Clarify who is responsible for any supplemental bills issued after closing.
- If you may qualify for relief or exemptions, gather documents early and note application deadlines.
Ready to talk through your Alexandria purchase or sale and how taxes will affect your bottom line? Reach out to Elizabeth Sachero-Perez for clear, local guidance tailored to your timeline.
FAQs
How is my Alexandria real estate tax calculated?
- The City multiplies your assessed value by the annual rate per $100 of value. For 2025, the rate is $1.135 per $100; for example, $500,000 assessed equals $5,675. See the City’s explanation on the real estate tax page.
What are the 2025 due dates for Alexandria real estate taxes?
- Alexandria bills twice per year. For 2025, first-half taxes were due June 16, and second-half taxes were announced as due November 17. Schedules are posted on the real estate tax page and in this City news release.
What if I think my Alexandria assessment is too high?
- You can request an administrative review, then appeal to the Board of Equalization, and finally to court under the Virginia Code’s appeals process. Deadlines are posted each year on the City’s assessment page.
What are the stormwater and refuse fees I see on my bill?
- The Stormwater Utility Fee is charged per Equivalent Residential Unit and appears as a separate line, and eligible properties also have a refuse collection fee. Learn more on the City’s Stormwater Utility page.
What happens if I pay my Alexandria tax late?
- The City applies a graduated late penalty and interest accrues on unpaid balances, with different rules for some fees. Current details are listed in the City’s Finance Department FAQs.
Do I qualify for tax relief in Alexandria?
- Residents who are 65 or older, permanently and totally disabled, or qualifying disabled veterans may receive relief or exemptions on their principal residence. Program rules and applications are on the tax relief program page and the disabled veteran exemption page.
