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Prepayment of 2018 Real Estate Taxes

On December 27, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued an advisory stating that prepayment of 2018 local real estate taxes may not be deductible on 2017 federal income tax returns. The advisory follows the City of Alexandria’s December 21   announcement that while the City accepts prepayments, there may be no benefit of prepayment depending on a variety of factors. The City continues to encourage taxpayers who are considering prepayment to consult qualified tax professionals before deciding whether to prepay and determining the date by which payment must be sent or received.

 Read the City's  full statement here.

The IRS advisory clarifies that “a prepayment of anticipated real property taxes that have not been assessed prior to 2018 are not deductible in 2017.”   State law and the   City Charter provide that all real property must be assessed at fair market value as of January 1 each year, and the amount of the real estate tax cannot be assessed until the tax rate is set by City Council in May of each year. Consequently, there is no legal or practical way for 2018 Alexandria property values or real estate taxes to be assessed in 2017.

• Prepayment Frequently Asked Questions

For refund requests, please contact the City’s Treasury Division at payments@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.3902, Option 8.  For additional information about the real estate tax, please visit www.alexandriava.gov/RealEstateTax.  

Ways to Pay Taxes and Parking Citations

Online Payments

By eCheck

Taxpayers or vehicle owners can pay online by transferring funds from a personal checking or savings account. This service is free, but the payer must know the account or citation number and the amount he or she needs to pay.

• Vehicle Personal Property and Real Estate Tax payments by eCheck - View and Pay Balance
  NOTE: Not available for leased vehicles. Personal property tax adjustments will show in the online payment system the following day.
  
• Parking citation payments by eCheck 
• Business tax payments by eCheck 

By Credit Card

Taxpayers or vehicle owners can pay online with personal or business Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover/Novus cards. A convenience fee applies to this service.

• Vehicle Personal Property and Real Estate Tax payments by Visa and MasterCard - View and Pay Balance
  NOTE: Not available for leased vehicles. Personal property tax adjustments will show in the online payment system the following day.
• Other tax payments by credit card (including American Express) 
• Parking citation payments by Visa, MasterCard or Discover 
• Parking citation payments by American Express 

NOTE: The violations listed below cannot be paid online.

• 3-2-336 Offenses relating to windshield tag or decal
• 10-4-37 Failure to procure and display City windshield tag or decal
• 10-4-37.1 Enforcement of the Northern Virginia Local Motor Vehicle License Compact

The City of Alexandria cannot accept online payment for parking citations issued to booted or impounded vehicles, or to vehicles cited for failure to display a City vehicle decal (violation code 3-2-336, 10-4-37, or 10-4-37.1). The boot or decal violation must be resolved before the parking citation may be paid and verification is currently not automated. The vehicle owner may pay in person at City Hall or mail the payment together with proof that he or she has purchased the decal.  Additional assistance may be obtained by contacting the City's Treasury Division by email or by telephone at 703.746.3902.

NOTE: Online payment systems are for payments only. Requests for refunds or payment assistance should be directed to the Treasury Division by email or by phone at 703.746.3902. If an overpayment exists for personal property taxes, the City of Alexandria Finance Department will first determine that no other City funds are delinquent and then prepare a refund. Based on State Code 58.1-3913, any tax or other charge that is delinquent must be collected prior to the issuance of a refund. The refund process takes approximately four weeks.  

Cash Payment Centers

NOTE: As of November 13, 2017, the City has ended its partnership with Global Express Bill Payment Centers. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. 

Real Estate ACH Debit Program

Through the Automatic Bank Debit Program, property owners can have real estate taxes and refuse fees automatically paid from their checking or savings accounts in monthly installments or in one lump-sum payment on each of the tax due dates. This service is free.

Payments by Phone

The City accepts real estate tax, personal property tax, business personal property tax, and parking citation payments by personal or business Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover/Novus card. A convenience fee applies to this service.

• Taxpayers can make tax payments by calling 1-800-2-PAY-TAX and entering jurisdiction code 1007 when prompted.
• Vehicle owners can pay parking citations by calling 1-866-353-0454.
  

Payments by Mail

Checks or money orders may be mailed to Treasury Division, P.O. Box 323, Alexandria, VA 22313. The bill, citation, or invoice being paid should be enclosed with the payment. The bill, citation, invoice, or account number should be written in the memo field on the check or money order. Returned checks are subject to a $35 fee in accordance with state law. The City does not accept postdated checks because checks to the City are generally deposited on the date of receipt. For their protection, payers should not mail cash.

Payments at City Hall

Treasury Division: Room 1510 

Taxpayers or vehicle owners may pay by cash, check, money order, or Visa, MasterCard, or Discover credit and debit cards at the Treasury Division, City Hall, 301 King Street, Room 1510. A service fee of 2.5% on the transaction amount is charged for in-person credit and debit card payments. The Treasury Division windows can be found by walking straight through the lobby and following the arrow marked "Treasury." Payments are accepted in person Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except City holidays. To avoid long lines near payment deadlines, taxpayers or vehicle owners should consider paying by one of the other methods above or using the drop box.

NOTE:  The Treasury Division will accept payment in coins at the Treasury windows; however, coins must be rolled. Additionally, the City does not accept postdated checks because checks to the City are generally deposited on the date of receipt.

Drop Box 

Taxpayers or vehicle owners may drop payments by check or money order in the drop box on the Royal Street wall of City Hall. Payments must be placed in the drop box by midnight on the tax due date to be considered on time. The bill, citation, or invoice being paid should be enclosed with the payment. The bill, citation, invoice, or account number should be written in the memo field on the check or money order. Returned checks are subject to a $35 fee in accordance with state law. The City does not accept postdated checks because checks to the City are generally deposited on the date of receipt. For their protection, payers should not leave cash.  

Convenience Fee Schedules for Credit Card Payments Made Through Official Payments Corporation

For payments made by credit or debit card online or by phone: