City of Covington, Virginia Tax Rates
The City of Covington's real estate tax rate is $0.85 per $100 of assessed value and the personal property (vehicle) tax rate is $3.08 per $100, per the Virginia Department of Taxation TY2025 survey, with both taxes billed twice a year and due June 5 and December 5 as confirmed on the city Treasurer's page. Combined sales tax is 5.3% - Covington is not in any regional sales tax district. Covington is a small independent city in the Alleghany Highlands of far western Virginia, sitting on the Jackson River and completely surrounded by Alleghany County. As an independent city it is a separate taxing jurisdiction from the county around it, with its own Commissioner of the Revenue and Treasurer. Verify current adopted rates with the City of Covington before making financial decisions.
Rates verified June 2026. See our methodology for sourcing and update cadence.
Key Takeaways
- Real estate tax rate: $0.85 per $100 of assessed value, per the Virginia DOT TY2025 survey. Virginia real estate is assessed at 100% of fair market value.
- Personal property (vehicle) tax: $3.08 per $100 on tangible personal property including vehicles, per the Virginia DOT TY2025 survey.
- Real estate and personal property are billed twice a year, due June 5 and December 5, confirmed directly on the city Treasurer's page.
- Machinery and tools: $2.76 per $100, per the Virginia DOT TY2025 survey. Covington does not levy a merchants' capital tax.
- Independent city: Covington is a county-equivalent jurisdiction completely surrounded by Alleghany County, but a Covington resident pays Covington city rates, not county rates.
- Sales tax: 5.3% (4.3% state + 1.0% local) - no regional district.
- Payments go to the city Treasurer in person, by mail (P.O. Box 878), by drop box at City Hall, or online; a 3% convenience fee applies to card payments.
- Nearby live jurisdiction pages: Alleghany County (the county that surrounds Covington), Botetourt County, Rockbridge County, and Roanoke County.
City of Covington Tax Rates - At a Glance
| Tax Type | City Rate (per $100) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Real Estate | $0.85 | 100% fair market value. Due June 5 and December 5. |
| Personal Property (vehicles) | $3.08 | Tangible personal property including vehicles. Due June 5 and December 5. |
| Machinery & Tools | $2.76 | Business machinery and tools. |
| Sales Tax | 5.3% (4.3% state + 1.0% local) - no regional district | |
The real estate ($0.85), tangible personal property ($3.08), and machinery and tools ($2.76) rates are from the Virginia Department of Taxation TY2025 Local Tax Rates survey, the canonical statewide source reported by each locality's Commissioner of the Revenue; the survey reports no merchants' capital levy for Covington ($0.000). The June 5 and December 5 due dates for real estate and personal property are confirmed directly on the City of Covington Treasurer's page. The vehicle-specific assessment rate and guide, the PPTRA relief percentage, the late-payment penalty and interest, the reassessment cycle, the business filing deadline, the vehicle license fee, and the elderly and disabled relief thresholds are pending direct confirmation - see Official Sources below.
Vehicle Personal Property (Car) Tax
Rate and Classification
The City of Covington taxes tangible personal property, including motor vehicles, at $3.08 per $100 of assessed value, per the Virginia DOT TY2025 survey reported by the city Commissioner of the Revenue. The Commissioner of the Revenue assesses personal property as of January 1 each year. Because Virginia law allows vehicles to be a separate classification, the specific vehicle assessment ratio and valuation guide used by the city are pending direct confirmation.
Due Date and Relief
Personal property tax is billed twice a year and is due June 5 and December 5, confirmed on the city Treasurer's page. Qualifying personal-use vehicles receive Virginia's Personal Property Tax Relief (PPTRA) credit under Code of Virginia § 58.1-3524 on the first $20,000 of value; the specific current-year relief percentage and the exact late-payment penalty and interest are pending direct confirmation with the Commissioner of the Revenue, Cathy Kimberlin, at (540) 965-6352.
Source: City of Covington Treasurer and Commissioner of the Revenue pages (covington.va.us), verified June 2026; rates per the Virginia DOT TY2025 Local Tax Rates survey. For a deeper explanation of PPTRA, see our Virginia PPTRA explained guide. The PPTRA percentage, the vehicle assessment guide and ratio, and the vehicle license fee are pending direct confirmation.
Real Estate Tax
Rate and Assessment
The City of Covington's real estate tax rate is $0.85 per $100 of assessed value, per the Virginia DOT TY2025 survey. Real estate is taxed at 100% of fair market value as the Virginia Constitution requires. The City Council sets the rate each year during the budget process; the city's general reassessment cycle is pending direct confirmation.
Due Date and Payment
Real estate tax is billed twice a year and is due June 5 and December 5, per the city Treasurer. Payments are made to the City of Covington Treasurer, Gisela Roldan, at 333 W Locust Street (mailing address P.O. Box 878, Covington, VA 24426); the office can be reached at (540) 965-6340. Payment can be made in person, by mail, by drop box at City Hall, or online at the city self-service portal, with a 3% convenience fee on card payments.
Exemptions and Relief Programs
The City of Covington administers Virginia's PPTRA vehicle relief and, like other Virginia jurisdictions, offers real estate tax relief for qualifying elderly and disabled residents through the Commissioner of the Revenue's office. Under Virginia Code § 58.1-3219.5, a veteran rated 100% service-connected permanently and totally disabled is exempt from real estate tax on a principal residence, a benefit that extends to a qualifying surviving spouse. The income and net-worth thresholds for the city's local elderly and disabled program are pending direct confirmation.
Source: City of Covington Commissioner of the Revenue and Treasurer pages (covington.va.us), verified June 2026. The elderly and disabled relief thresholds and the reassessment cycle are pending direct confirmation with the city.
Business Equipment, Machinery, and Tools
The City of Covington taxes machinery and tools at $2.76 per $100, per the Virginia DOT TY2025 survey reported by the city Commissioner of the Revenue. The survey reports no merchants' capital levy for Covington. As an independent city, Covington sets these business rates separately from the surrounding Alleghany County. The business tangible personal property filing deadline and any business license tax are pending direct confirmation.
Source: Virginia DOT TY2025 Local Tax Rates survey (Table 2, Covington); City of Covington Commissioner of the Revenue page (covington.va.us), 2026. The business filing deadline and merchants' capital status are pending direct confirmation.
Sales Tax
Rate and Composition
The combined sales tax rate in the City of Covington is 5.3%: the 4.3% Virginia state rate plus the 1.0% standard local rate. Covington is not part of any regional sales tax district, per the Virginia Department of Taxation, so it sits in the statewide baseline tier along with its Alleghany Highlands neighbors.
| Component | Rate |
|---|---|
| Virginia state rate | 4.3% |
| Standard local rate | 1.0% |
| Regional district | None |
| Combined rate | 5.3% |
Qualifying food and grocery items are subject to Virginia's reduced 1.0% rate.
Source: Virginia Department of Taxation - Retail Sales and Use Tax (tax.virginia.gov)
Covington and the Alleghany Highlands
Covington is an independent city on the Jackson River in the Alleghany Highlands of far western Virginia, completely surrounded by Alleghany County, whose county government offices are located within the city. Long anchored by its riverside paper mill, Covington serves as the commercial and service hub for "Virginia's Western Gateway," with the Jackson River Scenic Trail trailhead just minutes from downtown and the historic Humpback Bridge and Falling Spring Falls nearby. As an independent city, Covington is a county-equivalent jurisdiction with its own Commissioner of the Revenue and Treasurer, separate from Alleghany County; other nearby live jurisdictions include Botetourt County, Rockbridge County, and Roanoke County.
Virginia Tax Tools
Virginia Car Tax Calculator
Estimate your annual vehicle personal property tax. For the City of Covington, use the $3.08/$100 rate.
LiveVirginia Property Tax Calculator
Estimate your City of Covington annual real estate tax at the $0.85/$100 rate.
LiveVirginia Sales Tax Calculator
Estimate sales tax on purchases in the City of Covington at the 5.3% rate (4.3% state + 1.0% local).
LiveOther Virginia Jurisdictions
The City of Covington sits at the center of Virginia's Alleghany Highlands cluster, surrounded by Alleghany County. Compare nearby and regionally connected live jurisdictions:
- Alleghany County (5.3%)
- Botetourt County (5.3%)
- Rockbridge County (5.3%)
- Roanoke County (5.3%)
For statewide context and a complete list of Virginia jurisdictions, see Virginia County Tax Rates.
Official Sources
-
City of Covington - Treasurer
Official city source confirming that real estate and personal property taxes are due June 5 and December 5, and detailing payment options (in person, mail to P.O. Box 878, drop box, and online with a 3% convenience fee). Treasurer Gisela Roldan, 333 W Locust Street / P.O. Box 878, Covington VA 24426; (540) 965-6340.
covington.va.us - Treasurer -
City of Covington - Commissioner of the Revenue
Official city office that assesses real estate, personal property, machinery and tools, business licenses, and special taxes, and administers PPTRA and tax relief. Commissioner of the Revenue Cathy Kimberlin; (540) 965-6352 (office (540) 965-6350), 333 W Locust Street, Covington VA 24426.
covington.va.us - Commissioner of the Revenue -
Virginia Department of Taxation - Local Tax Rates Survey TY2025
Official statewide survey of real estate, tangible personal property, machinery and tools, and merchants' capital tax rates for all Virginia localities, including independent cities. Covington (Table 2): real estate 0.850, tangible personal property 3.080, machinery and tools 2.760, merchants' capital 0.000.
tax.virginia.gov/local-tax-rates -
Virginia Department of Taxation - Retail Sales and Use Tax
Official source for Virginia sales tax rates by region. The City of Covington is in the 5.3% statewide tier (4.3% state + 1.0% local) and is not part of any regional district.
tax.virginia.gov/retail-sales-and-use-tax -
Code of Virginia § 58.1-3524 - Personal Property Tax Relief Act (PPTRA)
Statutory authority for Virginia's vehicle personal property tax relief program.
law.lis.virginia.gov - PPTRA statutory reference
The City of Covington Treasurer's page confirms the June 5 and December 5 due dates and payment methods directly; the real estate, personal property, and machinery and tools rates are from the Virginia DOT TY2025 Local Tax Rates survey (the canonical statewide source reported by the city). The current-year PPTRA percentage, the vehicle-specific assessment rate and guide, the late-payment penalty and interest, the reassessment cycle, the business filing deadline, the vehicle license fee, the elderly and disabled relief thresholds, and direct city-published confirmation of the rate figures are pending - see the Manual Verification Queue. Rates change annually - verify current figures with the City of Covington before making financial decisions. Data last verified: June 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the City of Covington, VA real estate tax rate?
The rate is $0.85 per $100 of assessed value, per the Virginia DOT TY2025 survey. Real estate is assessed at 100% of fair market value and is billed twice a year, due June 5 and December 5.
What is the City of Covington, VA car tax (vehicle personal property) rate?
Tangible personal property, including vehicles, is taxed at $3.08 per $100, per the Virginia DOT TY2025 survey. Personal property tax is billed twice a year, due June 5 and December 5. Qualifying vehicles receive PPTRA relief; the specific percentage and vehicle assessment guide are pending direct confirmation.
What is the sales tax rate in Covington, VA?
The combined sales tax rate is 5.3%: 4.3% state + 1.0% standard local. Covington is not part of any regional sales tax district.
When are City of Covington, VA taxes due?
Per the city Treasurer, real estate and personal property taxes are billed twice a year and due June 5 and December 5. Pay in person, by mail (P.O. Box 878), by drop box at City Hall, or online (3% card fee). Call the Treasurer at (540) 965-6340 with payment questions.
Is Covington a separate taxing jurisdiction from Alleghany County?
Yes. Covington is an independent city - a county-equivalent jurisdiction. Although completely surrounded by Alleghany County (whose offices are even located in the city), a Covington resident pays City of Covington rates, not county rates, and the city has its own Commissioner of the Revenue and Treasurer.
Virginia Property Tax Map
Every Virginia county and independent city shaded by its real property tax rate per $100 of assessed value. This jurisdiction is highlighted - select any other to compare its property, vehicle, and sales tax.
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