Frequently Asked Questions 

Vehicle Personal Property Taxes and City Decals 

Residential and Temporary Parking Permits 

Parking Tickets 

Real Estate Taxes 

Operating a Business in the City 

Payments and Due Dates 

Vehicle Personal Property Taxes and City Decals 

1.  Who must register for Vehicle Personal Property Tax?

Any person who owns a vehicle that is parked, stored or garaged in the City of Alexandria for 30 days or more or who registers a vehicle to a City address with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) must register for Personal Property Tax. 

2.  How do I register my car for Personal Property Tax?

You may register for vehicle personal property tax online, by mailing an application, by calling Personal Property Tax at 703.746.3901, or by bringing a copy of your vehicle registration to the Personal Property office at 301 King Street, Room 1410.  Please note that you must register your vehicle with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) within 30 days of purchasing a vehicle or moving to Virginia and the City of Alexandria within 30 days of purchasing the vehicle or moving to the City. 

3.  How do I get a City decal?

Once you have registered for personal property tax, you will be billed for the City decal and any personal property taxes due at that time, if any.  Once you have paid the decal fee and any applicable taxes, staff will mail you a City decal.  If you pay in person, Treasury staff will give you a decal at the window.

As long as there is no delinquent balance on your personal property tax account, an advance decal will be included with your annual bill.  If there is a delinquent balance on your account, you must pay all taxes, penalties and interest due before the City will issue your new decal. 

4.  Why do I have to notify the City when I move out, sell a vehicle, etc.? 

The Alexandria City Code requires all taxpayers to report changes affecting their tax assessment within 30 days.  This is the primary means for the City to maintain complete and accurate tax records.  Please note that notifying the City of any changes to your tax status allows staff to ensure that you receive timely, accurate bills for your personal property tax and may help you avoid undue collection efforts. 

5.  Why can't the City use DMV or Post Office records to correct my account?

Virginia DMV does not inform the City when a taxpayer moves within or out of the City, sells a vehicle, etc.  The City does attempt to update accounts based on DMV files where necessary.  However, accessing these files on a case-by-case basis without input from the taxpayer may cause a significant delay in processing accounts, prevent timely, accurate billing and lead to undue collection efforts. 

Post Office mail forwarding stickers may contain inaccurate, incomplete or out-of-date information.  For this reason, staff must validate Post Office information before using it to update an account.  As with the above, this may delay account processing, prevent timely, accurate billing and lead to undue collection efforts.   

6.  Why do I have to pay a late payment penalty if I moved out of the City?

If you move but do not inform the City, you may not receive an accurate bill prior to the due date.  Any tax accounts that are not paid by the day following the due date incur late payment penalties.  Please note that even if you move out or sell/donate your vehicle during the year, you will still owe partial-year personal property taxes.  If you do not receive a bill before the first week of September, please call the Personal Property Tax Office at 703.746.3901. 

7.  I didn't receive my bill.  Why do I have to pay penalties?

The City makes every effort to ensure the timely, accurate billing of all City taxes and fees.  However, in some instances, you may not receive the bill mailed to you.  It is your responsibility to contact us if you do not receive a bill and to pay the taxes by the due date.  Any amount not paid by the due date will be subject to penalties.  If you do not receive a bill before the first week of September, please call Personal Property Tax at 703.746.3901. 

8.  I paid last October.  Am I paid up through this year?

No.  The personal property tax is billed for the current calendar year, not the coming year.  For instance, payments made for the 2008 personal property tax (billed August 2008, due October 6, 2008) will cover January 1 through December 31, 2008.  If you move out in 2009, you will owe partial 2009 personal property tax, which will be billed in August 2009 and due October 5, 2009. 

9.  My decal expires in October.  Am I paid up through then?

No.  Although they are billed together, the City decal and personal property tax cover different time periods. 

 

The City decal is usually effective from its issuance to October 5 of the following calendar year (or the current year if issued during the decal's effective year).  For example, a decal issued with the 2008 personal property tax bill mailed in August 2008 expires October 5, 2009.  A decal issued in January 2009 expires October 5, 2009.  You are given a small grace period for removing and replacing the decal, which must be done by November 15 each year.

 

The personal property tax covers the current calendar year.  So, the 2008 personal property tax bill mailed in August 2008 covers January 1 to December 31, 2008.

 

So, although you have an unexpired City decal, you may still owe personal property tax for all or part of the current calendar year.

10.  For More Information: 

Please visit the Personal Property Tax page for more information on the personal property tax, vehicle registration, the City decal, and other topics.  Please visit Tax Services & Enforcement for more information on delinquent tax collections, penalties and payment plans.

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Parking Permits 

1.  Who is eligible for residential parking permits?

Only full-time residents of residential parking permit districts are eligible for parking permits.  Residential parking permit districts include those streets that are marked for two or three-hour parking only. 

2.  How do I get a residential parking permit?

If you are eligible, you will be billed for a residential parking permit once you have registered for Personal Property Tax.  The fee for the residential parking permit is $15 for the first vehicle, $20 for the second vehicle, and $50 for each additional vehicle.  Upon receiving your payment, the Treasury Division will send you a residential parking permit and City decal.  If you pay in person, staff will give you a residential parking permit at the window.

As long as there is no delinquent balance on your personal property tax account, a residential parking permit will be included with your annual personal property tax bill in August.  If there is a delinquent balance on your account, you must pay all taxes, penalties and interest due before the City will issue your residential parking permit. 

3.  Can I get temporary parking permits for my guests?

Yes.  Residents of residential parking permits are allowed temporary parking permits for guests.  There are two types:

• "Visitor permits" are issued for visitors staying longer than 24 hours, excluding employees of the residence and/or persons under contract to provide services at the residence.  The "Visitor" permit is valid for a maximum of 30 days and is non-renewable.  No more than two "Visitor" permits may be issued to the same residence at one time.  The fee for permits lasting longer than seven days is $5. 
• "Guest permits" are issued for guests staying less than 24 hours, excluding employees of the residence and/or persons under contract to provide services at the residence.  "Guest" permits are free. 

Please note that only the resident may pick up a temporary parking permit.  All temporary parking permits are available at the Treasury Division, 301 King Street, Room 1510 during regular business hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday). 

4.  What is a "Business" permit?

The City issues a "Business" permit for the vehicle(s) of contractors doing business in the home of a resident of a parking permit district.  No more than three "Business" permits are issued a residence at one time.  The "Business" permit is free and is available at the Treasury Division, 301 King Street, Room 1510 during regular business hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday).

5.  Where do I get a temporary parking permit outside of regular business hours?

 All temporary parking permits -- Visitor, Guest, and Business-- are available at the Police Department, 2003 Mill Road, in the evening, on weekends, and on holidays.

6.  Can I get temporary parking permits in advance?

Yes.  You can get the temporary "Visitor," "Guest" and "Business" permits before the date(s) you will need them. 

7.  For More Information...

Please see Residential Parking Permit Program Facts for more information on City parking permits. 

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Parking Tickets 

1.  How do I request information about a specific parking ticket?

For information about a specific parking ticket, please fill out our online Parking Citation Information Request form or call toll-free at 866.353.0454.  You may also visit the City's Treasury Division between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM Monday through Friday at 301 King Street, Room 1510.   You may also see all open tickets by entering your state and license plate number on the Parking Ticket Information Page, which allows payment by credit card.

2.  How do I pay a parking ticket?

The City of Alexandria offers a variety of convenient ways to pay parking tickets.  See Five Easy Ways to Pay for detailed information.

3.  How do I contest a parking ticket?

You may contest a parking ticket by filling out our online Parking Citation Adjudication Request form or by requesting a hearing at the Parking Adjudication Office. The address and telephone number of the office is shown on the ticket. This office exists to afford citizens a prompt method of resolving such matters without having to appear in court. Cases may be heard in the Parking Adjudication Office on a walk-in basis. 

4.  For More Information...

For more information on parking tickets and other parking issues, please see our Parking page or our full online list of Parking Fines.

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Real Estate Taxes 

1.  How much real estate tax do I owe?

You may view your current real estate tax balance by searching on our online Real Estate Tax History and Payment page.

2.  How do I contest an assessment?

Your real estate tax liability is based on the annual property assessment conducted by the Department of Real Estate Assessments.  Please see the Real Estate Assessment Review and Appeal Process information provided by that Department. 

3.   Can I get a payment plan for real estate tax or otherwise pay in installments? 

The Treasury Division offers the Automatic Bank Debit Program for homeowners wishing to pay real estate taxes in monthly installments or two lump-sum payments directly from their checking accounts. Tax Services & Enforcement offers payment plans for residents experiencing financial difficulties who may not be able to pay their taxes on time.

4.  What programs are available to assist with the payment of real estate tax?

The City offers the Real Estate Tax Relief for Elderly or Totally Disabled Persons to assist with payment of the real estate tax. 

5.  For More Information...

For more information on real estate taxes and property assessments, please see the Real Estate Tax page and/or the Department of Real Estate Assessments. 

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Operating a Business in the City 

1.  How do I start a business in the City of Alexandria?

The steps involved in starting a business in the City differ depending on the type of business.  However, all persons (including corporations, partnerships and individuals) doing business in the City of Alexandria are required to file and pay the business license tax (within 30 days of starting business) and the business property tax as well as registering the business, obtaining zoning approval and complying with City Building/Dwelling Code regulations.  For more information on operating a business in the City of Alexandria, please see the Business Tax page.

2.  What types of taxes/license fees must I pay?

All persons (including corporations, partnerships and individuals) doing business in the City of Alexandria are required to file and pay the business license tax and business property tax.  Other business-related taxes depend on the type of business conducted.  For a complete listing of all business-related taxes, please see the Business Tax page.

3.  How and when do I renew my business license?

You must file a license renewal application and pay the license tax by March 1 of each year.  Busines Tax will mail a renewal application to you each year.  If you do not receive one within three weeks of the due date, call Business Tax at 703.746.3903.

4.  How do I close my business license tax account when I cease business?

Simply inform the City that you have ceased business by filling out and returning the Cessation of Business form.

5.  For More Information...

For complete information on operating a business in the City of Alexandria, please see the Business Tax page. 

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Payments and Due Dates 

1.  When are my taxes due?

For a complete listing of tax due dates, please see the Finance Calendar.

2.  How do I pay taxes and tickets?

The City offers a number of convenient options for paying real estate taxes, personal property taxes, business property taxes and parking ticket fines.  For payment information, see Five Easy Ways to Pay.  To have your real estate tax automatically debited from your checking account in two lump sum payments or in monthly installments, please review the Automatic Bank Debit Program.  Tax Services & Enforcement offers payment plans for residents experiencing financial difficulties who may not be able to pay on time.   For payment instructions for all other taxes, please see the Alexandria Tax Guide.

3.  Why doesn't Treasury take Visa, Mastercard or debit cards?

Treasury does not accept Visa or MasterCard at the cashier windows because these companies require the City to pay the convenience fee while Discover allows us to charge this fee to the payor.  Because the City of Alexandria is a nonprofit organization funded by taxpayers and the State, we minimize expense where the benefit is restricted to the individual payor.

Treasury does not accept debit cards at this time because of software constraints.  However, we anticipate doing so in the future when revenue becomes available to fund the upgrade.

4.  Why can't I pay my DMV Block with a check, eCheck or credit card?

Virginia law requires that the City receive payment of all overdue taxes, penalties, interest and fees before removing a DMV Block.  Since the payor can cancel payment on checks, eChecks and credit cards, these do not constitute receipt of payment until they are processed and cash payment is received from the payor's financial institution or credit card company.  Payment for DMV Blocks must, therefore, be received in certified funds (cash, money order or cashier's check) in order for staff to remove the block at the time of payment. 

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