Allowable Income Limit Increased for Elderly & Disabled Tax Relief Program

For Immediate Release: May 31, 2024

The City of Alexandria reminds taxpayers that the first half 2024 real estate tax, refuse fee, and stormwater utility fee are due June 17, 2024. The calendar year 2024 real estate tax rate is $1.135 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 is $250 per can, which is half of the $500 annual refuse rate for both FY 2024 and 2025. The first half stormwater utility fee is $154.35 per Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU), which is half of the $308.70 annual fee for FY 2024. 

On the second half 2024 real estate tax bills which will be mailed in October 2024, the refuse fee will remain $250 per can and the stormwater utility fee will increase to $162.05 per ERU (half of the $324.10 per ERU FY 2025 annual stormwater utility fee).

Bills were mailed to property owners and/or mortgage companies in May 2024. 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 (5%) of the tax amount, if paid by July 2, 2024, and 10 percent of the tax amount, if paid on or after July 3, 2024, 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 June 18, 2024, 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 6 percent, beginning June 18, 2024. There is no late payment penalty on the stormwater utility fee.

To appeal the stormwater utility fee with the Director of the Department of Transportation and Environmental Services, please submit a Stormwater Utility Fee Appeal and Adjustment Request Form by June 17, 2024. Forms will be available after May 15 on the City’s website at alexandriava.gov/Stormwater-management/stormwater-utility-fee and at the Stormwater Management Division, 2900‐B Business Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22314.

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 June 17. 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 most convenient way to pay is by credit card or eCheck on the City’s website at alexandriava.gov/Payments. Real estate tax payments can also be mailed to: City of Alexandria, P.O. Box 34750, Alexandria, VA 22334-0750. In-person payments are accepted at the Treasury Division, City Hall, Room 1510, and at the West End Finance Office, 4850 Mark Center Drive, Second Floor, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. A drop box on the Royal Street side of City Hall is available 24 hours a day. Payments must be in the drop box by midnight on June 17, 2024, to be considered on time.

Residents of the City of Alexandria who are 65 years of age or older, or permanently and totally disabled, may be eligible for the City’s Real Estate Tax Relief Program for the Elderly and Disabled. Starting in calendar year 2024, the Alexandria City Council has increased the allowable income limits for this program. For more information on tax relief program eligibility, please contact the Revenue Division of the Department of Finance, City Hall, 301 King Street, Room 1700, Alexandria, VA 22314, at taxrelief@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.4800. Applicants for relief in 2024 can file applications up until April 15, 2025.

Military Veterans with a service-connected, 100% permanent and total disability that is certified by the Department of Veterans Affairs, may qualify for full real estate tax exemption on their primary City residence. Contact the Department of Finance, Revenue Division, for more information.

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).