Finance

Virginia Car Tax Calculator (Personal Property)

Q: How is Virginia car tax calculated?

It is your vehicle's **assessed value ÷ 100 × your locality's rate**. For example, a $20,000 car at $4.57 per $100 has a **$914** gross tax before any PPTRA relief.

Q: What is PPTRA relief?

The **Personal Property Tax Relief Act** has the Commonwealth subsidize a percentage of the tax on the **first $20,000** of assessed value for **qualifying personal-use vehicles**. Each locality sets its relief percentage yearly — for example, **49% in Fairfax County for 2026**.

Q: How is my vehicle's assessed value determined?

Most localities use the **J.D. Power (NADA) clean trade-in** value as of **January 1**. Arlington uses a 'clean loan' value, and **Loudoun County switched to MSRP-based** assessment for 2026, so the same car can be valued differently by locality.

Q: Which Virginia county has the highest car tax rate?

**Arlington County** and **Alexandria City** are among the highest at **$5.00 per $100**. **Loudoun County** is lower at **$3.09**. Fairfax is **$4.57**. Rates change annually, so verify locally.

Q: Do vehicles worth over $20,000 get relief?

Only on the **first $20,000** of assessed value. The portion **above $20,000** is taxed at the full rate with **no** PPTRA relief, so expensive vehicles have a higher effective rate.

Q: Does business use change the tax?

Yes. **PPTRA relief applies only to personal-use vehicles.** A vehicle used predominantly for **business** generally does not qualify for relief, so you would owe the full tax.

Q: When is Virginia car tax due?

Due dates are set by each locality — commonly in **October**, sometimes split into two payments. Check your city or county tax calendar, since a late payment can add penalties and interest.

Q: Do I still owe car tax if I move mid-year?

Localities generally **prorate** the tax for the portion of the year you owned or garaged the vehicle there. If you move between Virginia localities, you may owe a prorated amount to each. Confirm with both tax offices.

Estimate your Virginia personal property (car) tax. Enter your vehicle's assessed value, your locality's rate per $100, and PPTRA relief to see your gross tax, the state subsidy, and what you actually owe.

Data verified · July 2026
Edited by Martín Rodríguez
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Data updated: Jan 1, 2026 · Source: Fairfax County — vehicle tax rate & subsidy

Edited by: Martín Rodríguez (editorial policy )

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Virginia is one of the states that charges an annual personal property tax on vehicles — often called the 'car tax.' Each city and county sets its own rate per $100 of a vehicle's assessed value (usually the J.D. Power / NADA clean trade-in value as of January 1). Rates typically run from about $3.09 to $5.00 per $100.

A big part of the bill can be offset by the Personal Property Tax Relief Act (PPTRA). The Commonwealth subsidizes a percentage of the tax on the first $20,000 of assessed value for qualifying personal-use vehicles. Each locality sets its own relief percentage each year (for example, 49% in Fairfax County for 2026).

Enter your vehicle's assessed value, your locality's rate, and your PPTRA relief percentage to see the gross tax, the relief, and what you actually owe.

When to use this calculator

Estimate your annual Virginia car tax bill.
See how much PPTRA relief cuts your tax.
Compare car tax across Virginia counties and cities.
Check the tax before buying or moving a vehicle.
See the effective tax rate on your vehicle's value.
Budget for the car tax due date in your locality.
Understand why higher-value cars get less relief.
Estimate tax on a vehicle worth more than $20,000.

2026 Virginia car tax rates by locality (per $100 of assessed value)

Locality	Rate per $100	PPTRA relief (first $20,000)
Arlington County	$5.00	varies yearly
Alexandria City	$5.00	varies yearly
Fairfax County	$4.57	49%
Virginia Beach	$4.00	varies yearly
Prince William County	$3.70	varies yearly
Richmond City	$3.70	varies yearly
Loudoun County	$3.09	41% (MSRP-based)

Source: Virginia locality tax offices, 2026. Rates and relief percentages are set each year by each city/county. Assessed value is generally the J.D. Power clean trade-in value as of January 1 (Arlington uses clean loan; Loudoun uses MSRP for 2026).

How it works

How Virginia car tax is calculated

Gross tax   = assessed value ÷ 100 × local rate
Relief base = first $20,000 of assessed value (personal-use vehicles)
PPTRA relief = (relief base ÷ 100 × local rate) × relief %
Tax you owe  = gross tax − PPTRA relief

Assessed value is set by your locality, generally the J.D. Power (NADA) clean trade-in value as of January 1 (Arlington uses a 'clean loan' value; Loudoun moved to MSRP-based assessment for 2026). Higher-value cars pay full rate on everything above $20,000, since relief only touches the first $20,000.

2026 rates for major Virginia localities

Locality	Rate per $100	PPTRA relief
Arlington County	$5.00	varies
Alexandria City	$5.00	varies
Fairfax County	$4.57	49%
Virginia Beach	$4.00	varies
Prince William County	$3.70	varies
Richmond City	$3.70	varies
Loudoun County	$3.09	41%

Rates and relief percentages are set each year by each locality — always confirm the current figures with your city or county.

Why the same car costs different amounts

Two identical cars can owe different tax in different counties because both the rate and the assessed value method differ. A $4.57 rate in Fairfax and a $3.09 rate in Loudoun on the same value produce very different bills, and Loudoun's MSRP-based assessment can change the value itself.

Disclaimer

Educational estimate. Your actual bill depends on your locality's official assessed value, current rate, relief percentage, any prorating for part-year ownership, and vehicle-type rules. Confirm with your city or county tax office.

Example: $20,000 vehicle in Fairfax County ($4.57 per $100, 49% relief)

Gross tax = $20,000 ÷ 100 × $4.57 = $914.00.

PPTRA relief base = first $20,000 of value.

Relief = $914.00 × 49% = $447.86.

Net tax = $914.00 − $447.86 = $466.14.

About $466 due after PPTRA relief

Frequently asked questions

How is Virginia car tax calculated?

It is your vehicle's assessed value ÷ 100 × your locality's rate. For example, a $20,000 car at $4.57 per $100 has a $914 gross tax before any PPTRA relief.

What is PPTRA relief?

The Personal Property Tax Relief Act has the Commonwealth subsidize a percentage of the tax on the first $20,000 of assessed value for qualifying personal-use vehicles. Each locality sets its relief percentage yearly — for example, 49% in Fairfax County for 2026.

How is my vehicle's assessed value determined?

Most localities use the J.D. Power (NADA) clean trade-in value as of January 1. Arlington uses a 'clean loan' value, and Loudoun County switched to MSRP-based assessment for 2026, so the same car can be valued differently by locality.

Which Virginia county has the highest car tax rate?

Arlington County and Alexandria City are among the highest at $5.00 per $100. Loudoun County is lower at $3.09. Fairfax is $4.57. Rates change annually, so verify locally.

Do vehicles worth over $20,000 get relief?

Only on the first $20,000 of assessed value. The portion above $20,000 is taxed at the full rate with no PPTRA relief, so expensive vehicles have a higher effective rate.

Does business use change the tax?

Yes. PPTRA relief applies only to personal-use vehicles. A vehicle used predominantly for business generally does not qualify for relief, so you would owe the full tax.

When is Virginia car tax due?

Due dates are set by each locality — commonly in October, sometimes split into two payments. Check your city or county tax calendar, since a late payment can add penalties and interest.

Do I still owe car tax if I move mid-year?

Localities generally prorate the tax for the portion of the year you owned or garaged the vehicle there. If you move between Virginia localities, you may owe a prorated amount to each. Confirm with both tax offices.

Sources & references

Methodology & trust

Editorial

Finance calculator with its formula verified automatically against Fairfax County — Vehicle tax rate, per our editorial policy and methodology.

Updates

Updated: July 2026. Parameters are verified periodically against the cited sources.

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Limitations

Indicative results. For critical decisions, consult a professional.

📌 How to cite this calculator

Rodríguez, M. (2026). Virginia Car Tax Calculator (Personal Property). Hacé Cuentas. https://hacecuentas.com/en/virginia-car-tax-personal-property-calculator

Content licensed under CC-BY 4.0 — reuse it citing the source with a link to Hacé Cuentas.

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