Virginia Car Tax Calculator

How This Calculator Works

Virginia vehicle personal property tax (commonly called "car tax") is assessed annually by each county or independent city. This calculator applies the PPTRA formula confirmed by Virginia Code § 58.1-3524 and each county's official published rates and assessment methods.

What "Assessed Value" Means

Virginia counties assess vehicles at J.D. Power (formerly NADA Guides) Clean Trade-In value as of January 1 of the tax year. This is not the purchase price, the insurance value, or a negotiated trade-in amount. Your county determines the assessed value and it will appear on your tax bill. If you don't have a bill yet, you can look up the J.D. Power Clean Trade-In value for your vehicle's year, make, model, and mileage as of January 1, or contact your county's Commissioner of Revenue office.

The PPTRA Formula

Virginia Code § 58.1-3524 provides partial state-funded relief for qualifying personal use vehicles. Relief is applied to the first $20,000 of assessed value only. Vehicle value above $20,000 is taxed at the full county rate with no PPTRA offset.

The formula used in this calculator:

Net tax = (Assessed value × Rate) − (lesser of assessed value or $20,000) × Rate × PPTRA%

Example — $30,000 vehicle in Fairfax County (rate $4.57/$100, PPTRA 49.0%): gross tax = $1,371.00; PPTRA relief base = $20,000; PPTRA relief = $20,000 × 0.04570 × 0.490 = $447.86; estimated net tax = $923.14.

Three jurisdictions adjust this formula, and the calculator follows each one's official method: Arlington County (tax year 2026) gives 100% relief on the first $4,000 of value and 13% relief on value from $4,001 to $20,000, Alexandria (tax year 2026) sets the relief percentage by the vehicle's total assessed value, and Dinwiddie County taxes 90% of a vehicle's pricing-guide value before applying its rate and relief.

What This Calculator Does Not Cover

This calculator provides a full-year estimate for a single vehicle. It does not account for:

• Proration for mid-year purchases, registrations, or disposals (county bills are prorated by month in the year of change)
• Vehicles that do not qualify for PPTRA (commercial vehicles, antique license plates, certain other classifications)
• Senior citizen, disability, veteran, or other local exemption and relief programs
• Outstanding penalties, interest, or delinquent balances on prior tax years
• Multiple vehicles (run the calculator once per vehicle)

Contact your county Commissioner of Revenue or Treasurer for a precise calculation on your specific vehicle and situation.

County Rates and PPTRA Percentages

Rates and PPTRA percentages used in this calculator. All figures sourced from official county government sources. PPTRA percentages are recalculated annually by each county.

Virginia Vehicle Personal Property Tax Rates and PPTRA Relief - 22 Jurisdictions in This Calculator

County	Tax Rate	PPTRA Relief %	Assessment Basis	Payment Due
Fairfax County	$4.57 per $100	49.0% (2026 tax year — confirmed)	NADA Clean Trade-In (J.D. Power)	October 5
Loudoun County	$3.09 per $100	41% (current per loudoun.gov — verify annually)	MSRP-based (Tax Year 2026+)	May 5 and October 5 (two installments)
Prince William County	$3.50 per $100	37.0% (2025 tax year — verify current)	J.D. Power (NADA) Clean Trade-In	October 5
Arlington County	$5.00 per $100	100% on first $4,000 + 13% on $4,001-$20,000 (2026 tax year - confirmed)	J.D. Power (NADA) Clean Loan Value	October 5
City of Alexandria	$5.33 per $100	Tiered by assessed value (2026 tax year - confirmed): 100% at $5,000 or less; 50% at $5,001-$20,000; 25% at $20,001-$25,000; 12% above $25,000 (on the first $20,000)	NADA Clean Trade-In (January 1)	October 5, 2026
Chesterfield County	$3.25 per $100	40% (2026 tax year - confirmed); no tax on assessments of $1,500 or less	J.D. Power value	June 5
Dinwiddie County	$4.60 per $100	34% (current per county; tax year not labeled)	90% of pricing-guide value	Verify with County Treasurer
Essex County	$3.50 per $100	33.25% (2024 tax year - most recently published)	NADA Clean Trade-In	Verify with County Treasurer
Frederick County	$4.35 per $100 (2026 adopted)	28% (2026 tax year - confirmed); 100% relief at $1,000 or less	Verify with Commissioner of the Revenue	June 5 and December 5 (December 7 in 2026)
City of Fredericksburg	$3.40 per $100 (current; tax year not labeled)	23.25% (2026 tax year - Resolution 26-20); 100% relief at $1,000 or less	NADA book value	June 5 and December 5
Gloucester County	$3.10 per $100	20% (2025 tax year - most recently published)	100% of average retail value	June 30 and December 5
Henrico County	$3.35 per $100	42% (2025 tax year - most recently published); 100% relief at $1,000 or less	J.D. Power Loan Value	Verify with Department of Finance
James City County	$4.00 per $100	32.0% TY2026 (confirmed by COR, 2026-04-22); 32.5% TY2025	Verify with Commissioner of the Revenue	Verify with Commissioner of the Revenue
King George County	$3.25 per $100	24% (2025 tax year - most recently published)	NADA Clean Trade-In (January)	June 5 and December 5
Newport News	$4.50 per $100	38.0% TY2026 (confirmed by COR, 2026-04-23); 36.5% TY2025	Verify with Commissioner of the Revenue	Verify with Commissioner of the Revenue
Norfolk	$4.33 per $100	51% (bills due June 5, 2026 - adopted city budget); 100% relief at $1,000 or less	J.D. Power guides	June 5
Northampton County	$3.90 per $100	39% (2024 tax year - most recently published)	NADA Clean Loan Value	December 5
Poquoson	$4.15 per $100	41.0% (current per city PPTR Calculator); 100% relief under $1,000	NADA Clean Loan Value (January)	June 5 and December 5
Portsmouth	$5.00 per $100	50% TY2026 (adopted, confirmed by COR, 2026-04-22); 50% TY2025	Verify with Commissioner of the Revenue	Verify with Commissioner of the Revenue
Richmond County	$3.50 per $100	50% (2025 tax year - most recently published)	J.D. Power Clean Loan Value (January)	December 5
Spotsylvania County	$5.37 per $100 (effective 1/1/2025, most recently published)	33% (2026 tax year - confirmed)	Verify with Commissioner of the Revenue	First half June 5, 2026; second half - verify with Treasurer
Suffolk	$4.25 per $100 (2026)	32% (2026 tax year - confirmed); 100% relief under $1,000	NADA Clean Loan Value (January 1)	December 5

What the calculator uses: the tax year 2026 PPTRA percentage for Fairfax County (49.0%), Arlington County (100% on the first $4,000, 13% to $20,000), Alexandria (100%, 50%, 25%, or 12% by value band), Chesterfield County (40%), Spotsylvania County (33%), Frederick County (28%), Fredericksburg (23.25%), Suffolk (32%), Norfolk (51%, bills due June 5, 2026, per the adopted city budget), Newport News (38.0%), Portsmouth (50%), and James City County (32.0%). For the other ten jurisdictions it uses the most recent percentage the jurisdiction has published: Loudoun (41%, current per loudoun.gov), Prince William (37.0%, tax year 2025), Henrico (42%, tax year 2025), Gloucester, King George, and Richmond County (tax year 2025), Essex and Northampton (tax year 2024), and Dinwiddie and Poquoson (current percentage, tax year not labeled on the official page). Those estimates may differ from your 2026 bill once a newer percentage applies. Newport News, Portsmouth, and James City County rates and PPTRA percentages were confirmed by direct email from each jurisdiction's Commissioner of the Revenue in April 2026; for these three, and for Dinwiddie, Essex, and Henrico, due dates are not yet confirmed (Spotsylvania's second-half date is also unconfirmed) from an official source - contact the jurisdiction's tax office. Verify all rates at your jurisdiction's official website before relying on this estimate for payment planning.

Understanding Virginia PPTRA Relief

The Personal Property Tax Relief Act (PPTRA), Virginia Code § 58.1-3524, was enacted to offset the vehicle personal property tax burden on Virginia residents. The Virginia General Assembly allocates a fixed annual block grant of $950 million, distributed among localities based on their share of qualifying vehicle value.

How Each County's Annual Rate Is Calculated

Each year, every Virginia county and independent city calculates its PPTRA relief percentage by dividing its share of the state block grant by the total assessed value of qualifying vehicles in the locality (capped at $20,000 per vehicle). Because the total grant is fixed, each locality's annual percentage depends entirely on its own registered vehicle base. Counties with more or higher-value qualifying vehicles will generally see a lower percentage than those with fewer vehicles relative to their grant share.

Relief Is on the First $20,000 Only

Virginia Code § 58.1-3524 specifies that relief applies to the portion of assessed value not exceeding $20,000. Localities have no authority under the statute to set their own assessed-value eligibility caps. All qualifying personal use vehicles are eligible; only the portion of value above $20,000 is excluded from PPTRA relief and taxed at the full rate.

Which Vehicles Qualify

Qualifying vehicles are generally personal use passenger vehicles. Commercial vehicles, vehicles with antique or permanent plates, and certain other classifications do not qualify for PPTRA. Your county's Commissioner of Revenue determines eligibility. Contact them if you are unsure whether your vehicle qualifies.

County-Specific Notes

Loudoun County — Two Payment Installments

Loudoun County bills vehicle personal property tax in two equal installments. The first half is due May 5 and the second half is due October 5. For example, if your estimated annual tax is $600, you owe approximately $300 in May and $300 in October. This installment schedule applies every year. Verify current due dates and any holiday adjustments at loudoun.gov/1616.

Prince William County — Full Relief for Assessed Values at or Below $1,000

Prince William County provides full personal property tax relief for qualifying personal use vehicles with an assessed value at or below $1,000. The estimated net tax for such vehicles is $0. This is a Prince William County local policy — it is separate from the statewide PPTRA formula. Verify this eligibility with Prince William County Tax Administration if your vehicle may qualify.

Arlington County - Tiered 2026 Relief

On April 22, 2026, the Arlington County Board approved a resolution allocating state PPTRA funds for tax year 2026: qualifying personal-use vehicles receive 100% relief on the first $4,000 of value and 13% relief on value from $4,001 to $20,000, with no relief above $20,000. Example: a vehicle assessed at $15,000 owes $750.00 before relief, gets $271.50 of relief, and owes an estimated $478.50. Source: arlingtonva.us - Vehicle Tax Relief (PPTRA).

Alexandria - 2026 Relief by Value Band

The City of Alexandria sets its tax year 2026 relief by the vehicle's total assessed value, applied to the first $20,000 of value only: 100% for personal-use vehicles assessed at $5,000 or less, 50% at $5,001 to $20,000 (maximum relief $533.00), 25% at $20,001 to $25,000 (maximum $266.50), and 12% above $25,000 (maximum $127.92). The rate is $5.33 per $100, vehicles are valued at NADA clean trade-in as of January 1, and the 2026 tax is due on or before October 5, 2026. Example: a vehicle assessed at $22,000 owes $1,172.60 before relief, gets $266.50 of relief, and owes an estimated $906.10. Source: alexandriava.gov - Car Tax.

Spotsylvania County - 33% Relief for 2026

Spotsylvania County states that for the 2026 tax year the relief given to taxpayers is 33%, so owners pay 67% of the tax on the qualifying first $20,000 of value. The calculator pairs it with the county's most recently published automobile rate, $5.37 per $100 (effective January 1, 2025); a 2026 rate was not posted at our last check. First-half 2026 personal property taxes were due June 5, 2026. Source: spotsylvania.va.us - Personal Property Tax Relief Changes.

Frederick County, Fredericksburg, Norfolk, and Suffolk - October 2026 Additions

Each was checked against the locality's own official source in October 2026. Frederick County: "The 2026 Personal Property rate is $4.35/100 for personal vehicles ... The PPTRA rate for 2026 is 28% on the first $20,000 of assessed value" (fcva.us - Treasurer). Fredericksburg: City Council Resolution 26-20 (April 21, 2026) set 2026 relief at 23.25% on the first $20,000, with full relief for vehicles assessed at $1,000 or less; the city publishes a $3.40 per $100 rate (fredericksburgva.gov - Tax Information). Norfolk: the adopted FY2026 city budget applies 51% relief to tax bills due June 5, 2026 (the FY2027 budget lowers it to 50% for bills due June 5, 2027), at $4.33 per $100 (norfolk.gov - Personal Property Tax Relief Act). Suffolk: "2026 Tax Relief is 32%", with 100% relief for qualifying vehicles valued under $1,000, at $4.25 per $100 (suffolkva.us - Personal Property Tax Relief).

Chesterfield County - No Tax at $1,500 or Less

Chesterfield County's Commissioner of the Revenue states that for personal property assessments of $1,500 and below, no tax is due (a registration fee may still apply). Above that, the 2026 rate for automobiles and trucks is $3.25 per $100 with 40% relief on the first $20,000. This matches the county's own worked example: a vehicle assessed at $19,300 owes $627.25 before relief, receives $250.90 of relief, and owes $376.35, before the separate $20 registration fee. Source: chesterfield.gov - Personal Property Taxes.

Henrico County - Full Relief at $1,000 or Less

Henrico County states that qualifying vehicles assessed at $1,000 or less receive 100% tax relief; above $1,000, relief is 42% (tax year 2025) on up to $20,000 of assessed value. Henrico's approved rate for cars, trucks, and motorcycles is $3.35 per $100, and vehicles are assessed at J.D. Power loan value. Source: henrico.gov - Personal Property Tax Relief.

Dinwiddie County - 90% Assessment Ratio

Dinwiddie County taxes vehicles at 90% of fair market value. Enter the full pricing-guide value and the calculator applies the 90% ratio, then the $4.60 rate and 34% relief on the first $20,000 of taxed value. This matches the county's own worked example: a $25,000 vehicle is taxed on $22,500 and owes $722.20. Source: dinwiddieva.us - Calculating the Tax.

Poquoson - Full Relief Under $1,000

Poquoson's official PPTR Calculator states 41.0% relief on the first $20,000 and 100% relief for personal-use vehicles valued under $1,000. Source: ci.poquoson.va.us - PPTR Calculator.

Fairfax County — 2026 PPTRA Rate Confirmed

Fairfax County publishes a full PPTRA rate history. The confirmed 2026 rate is 49.0%. The 2025 rate was 51.0%; the 2024 rate was 52.0%. Fairfax County publishes a complete annual rate history at fairfaxcounty.gov/taxes/vehicles/vehicle-tax-subsidy. Loudoun and Prince William counties had not yet published their 2026 PPTRA rates as of the data verification date for this calculator (2026-03-29).