For Immediate Release: October 18, 2023

The City of Alexandria has mailed the bills for the second half 2023 real estate tax, refuse fee, and stormwater utility fee to all property owners and/or mortgage companies.  The calendar year 2023 real estate tax rate is $1.11 per $100 of assessed value.

Unlike the real estate tax, the refuse fee and stormwater utility fee are based on the City’s fiscal year, which runs from July 1 through June 30.  The first half refuse fee was $250 per can, which is half of the $500 annual refuse rate for both FY 2023 and 2024.  The first half stormwater utility fee was $147 per Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU), which is half of the $294 annual fee for FY 2023. 

The second half 2023 refuse fee remains $250 per can and the stormwater utility fee has increased to $154.35 per ERU (half of the $308.70 per ERU FY 2024 annual stormwater utility fee).

Second half real estate tax and fee payments are due Wednesday, November 15.  Late payment penalty and interest will be assessed on all real estate taxes and fees that are not paid or postmarked by the due date.  The late payment penalty is five percent of the tax if paid by November 30, 2023, and 10 percent of the tax if paid on or after December 1, 2023, or $10, whichever is greater.  The late payment penalty is 10 percent of the refuse fee.  Interest on tax and late payment penalty accrues at an annual rate of 10 percent for the first year and five percent for each year thereafter, beginning November 16, 2023, and continues until the entire outstanding balance is paid.  Interest accrues on unpaid refuse fees at an annual rate of 10 percent and stormwater utility fees at an annual rate of six percent, beginning November 16, 2023.  There is no late payment penalty on the stormwater utility fee.

Appeals of the stormwater utility fee were to have been submitted by June 15, 2023 with the Director of the Department of Transportation and Environmental Services,

The Code of Virginia does not allow for waiver of tax, penalty, or interest due to inability to pay or failure to receive a tax bill.  Property owners who do not receive a real estate tax bill in the mail and do not have their real estate taxes paid by their mortgage companies should contact the City’s Treasury Division at payments@alexandriava.gov, or call 703.746.4800, Option 2, to request a bill before November 15.  Detailed real estate tax balances and payment history are available 24 hours a day on the City’s website at realestate.alexandriava.gov.  Property owners who changed their mailing address but did not previously report this change to the City can update their address by contacting the Office of Real Estate Assessment at realestate@alexandriava.gov to ensure that future bills and correspondence are mailed to the correct address.

The Finance Department is open to assist taxpayers during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  However, property owners are encouraged to use one of the City’s convenient and contact-free payment options, which are available 24 hours per day.

• Online: Payments can be made online by credit card (fee applies) or eCheck (no fee) at alexandriava.gov/Payments.
• By Mail: Checks or money orders can be mailed to: City of Alexandria, P.O. Box 34750, Alexandria, VA 22334-0750.
• 24-Hour Royal Street Drop Box: Checks or money orders may be placed in the drop box on the Royal Street side of City Hall 24 hours per day.  Payments must be in the drop box by midnight on November 15, 2023, to be considered on time.
• In-Person: NOW at 2 convenient locations:
  • Treasury Division, City Hall, Room 1510, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • West End Finance Office, 4850 Mark Center Drive, Suite 2011, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

General information about the City’s real estate tax is available at alexandriava.gov/RealEstateTax.  Information on real estate assessments, appeals, or updating the property owner’s mailing address is available from the Office of Real Estate Assessments at alexandriava.gov/RealEstate.  Information on the stormwater utility fee is available at alexandriava.gov/Stormwater.

Si necesita ayuda en Español, por favor llame al 311 o 703.746.4311 (Alex311).

This news release is available at alexandriava.gov/go/5068