Prince William County Tax Rates
Prince William County levies a real property tax at a base rate of $0.906 per $100 of assessed value for FY2026, billed in two installments. A countywide Fire and Rescue levy and a Mosquito and Forest Pest Management levy apply on top of the base rate for most properties, for a combined rate of $0.9805 per $100 for most parcels. The vehicle personal property tax rate is $3.50 per $100 for the 2025 tax year, with PPTRA relief on the first $20,000 of assessed value for qualifying personal use vehicles; the full bill is due as a single annual payment. The combined sales tax rate is 6.0% under the Northern Virginia regional transportation district. The county also levies a food and beverage tax (meals tax) of 3% on prepared food and beverages, effective January 1, 2026. All four tax types are covered below with official source links.
Key Takeaways
- Real property tax base rate: $0.906 per $100 of assessed value (FY2026, adopted April 22, 2025). The countywide Fire and Rescue levy is $0.0720 per $100 and the Mosquito and Forest Pest Management levy is $0.0025 per $100, producing a combined rate of $0.9805 per $100 for most properties. Verify the current full rate schedule at pwcva.gov/tax-administration/real-estate-tax.
- Property taxes billed in two installments: July 15 (first) and December 5 (second). Late payments are subject to a 10% penalty plus 10% annual interest per Code of Virginia § 58.1-3918. Note: December 5, 2026 falls on a Saturday; the second-half payment for the 2026 billing year is expected on December 7, 2026. Verify current due dates at pwcva.gov.
- Vehicle personal property tax rate: $3.50 per $100 of assessed value for the 2025 tax year (most recently published rate). Vehicles assessed using the J.D. Power Official Used Car Guide (Clean Trade-In value) as of January 1.
- PPTRA relief applies to the first $20,000 of assessed value for qualifying personal use vehicles. Prince William County's most recently published PPTRA relief rate is 37.0% for the 2025 tax year. Vehicles assessed at $1,000 or less receive 100% PPTRA relief and owe no vehicle personal property tax. Vehicle value above $20,000 is taxed at the full $3.50 rate. Verify the current-year rate at pwcva.gov/tax-administration/personal-property-tax-relief-act.
- Vehicle personal property tax is a single annual payment due October 5. A separate vehicle registration fee of $33 per year (autos and trucks) or $20 per year (motorcycles) applies; this fee is never prorated.
- Sales tax: 6.0%, the Northern Virginia regional rate (4.3% state + 1.0% local + 0.7% NoVA transportation). Qualifying groceries: 1.0%.
- Food and beverage tax (meals tax): 3% effective January 1, 2026 (reduced from 4%). Applies to prepared food and beverages sold for immediate human consumption at restaurants and food service businesses. Separate from and in addition to the sales tax.
Prince William County Tax Rates - At a Glance
| Tax Type | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Real Property Tax (base rate) | $0.906 per $100 | FY2026; assessed at 100% fair market value; two installments (Jul 15 / Dec 5); Fire & Rescue levy $0.0720 + pest management levy $0.0025 = combined rate $0.9805 per $100 for most properties |
| Vehicle Personal Property Tax | $3.50 per $100 | 2025 tax year (most recently published); J.D. Power Clean Trade-In; PPTRA relief on first $20,000 (37.0% for 2025 tax year); vehicles ≤$1,000 assessed: no tax due; single payment due Oct 5 |
| Sales Tax | 6.0% | Northern Virginia regional rate; qualifying groceries 1.0% |
| Food and Beverage Tax (Meals Tax) | 3% | Effective January 1, 2026 (reduced from 4%); applies to prepared food and beverages sold for immediate consumption; separate from and in addition to sales tax |
How Prince William County Compares
Among the 27 Virginia jurisdictions published on CountyTaxTools, Prince William County's base property tax rate of $0.906 ranks 13th of 27 (near the middle). On a $400,000 assessed home, the base rate produces roughly $3,624/year - but most properties also pay the fire/rescue levy ($0.0720) and mosquito/forest pest levy ($0.0025), bringing the combined rate to $0.9805 and annual tax to approximately $3,922.
| Jurisdiction | Property Rate | Vehicle Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Loudoun County | $0.805 | $3.09 |
| Prince William County | $0.906 | $3.50 |
| Stafford County | $0.924 | $5.72 |
| Fairfax County | $1.1225 | $4.57 |
Ranking is among the 27 jurisdictions currently published on CountyTaxTools, not all 133 Virginia localities. Prince William base rate shown; combined rate with levies is $0.9805. See full comparison | Estimate your bill
Real Property Tax
Rate and Assessment
Prince William County's base real property tax rate is $0.906 per $100 of assessed value for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025 (FY2026). The Board of County Supervisors adopted this rate on April 22, 2025. Prince William County assesses all real property at 100% of fair market value as of January 1 each year. Property owners who believe their assessment does not reflect fair market value may appeal through the Commissioner of the Revenue and, if unresolved, before the Board of Equalization.
Countywide Levies
In addition to the base rate, Prince William County applies two countywide levies to most properties. These are set separately by the Board of County Supervisors and are added on top of the base rate when calculating the total tax bill. Some areas of the county are also subject to Community Development Authority (CDA) assessments or Service District levies that add further to the bill depending on the specific parcel location.
| Component | Rate | Applies To |
|---|---|---|
| Base real property tax rate | $0.906 per $100 | All real property |
| Fire and Rescue levy | $0.0720 per $100 | Countywide (does not apply within Town of Quantico); FY2026 rate set by BOCS April 2025 |
| Mosquito and Forest Pest Management levy | $0.0025 per $100 | Countywide; FY2026 rate |
| Combined rate (most properties) | $0.9805 per $100 | Base + Fire & Rescue + pest management; excludes Town of Quantico (no Fire & Rescue levy) and any CDA or Service District levies |
Levy amounts are set annually by the Board of County Supervisors and are subject to change. The proposed FY2027 budget (beginning July 1, 2026) recommends a reduction in the Fire and Rescue levy to $0.0700; confirm the current active rate before relying on the $0.0720 figure for a tax year beginning after July 1, 2026. Some parcels are also subject to Community Development Authority (CDA) assessments or Service District levies. Confirm the full levy schedule and any applicable additional rates at pwcva.gov/tax-administration/real-estate-tax.
Payment Schedule
| Installment | Due Date |
|---|---|
| First installment (50% of annual bill) | July 15 |
| Second installment (50% of annual bill) | December 5 |
Late payments are subject to a 10% penalty, applied the day after the due date, plus 10% annual interest per Code of Virginia § 58.1-3918 beginning the first day of the month following the due date. Note: December 5, 2026 falls on a Saturday; the second-half payment for the 2026 billing year is expected on December 7, 2026. Verify current due dates at pwcva.gov/tax-administration/real-estate-tax.
Exemptions and Relief Programs
Prince William County offers a Real Estate Tax Relief program for qualifying elderly and permanently and totally disabled residents. Eligibility is based on income and net worth thresholds set by the Board of County Supervisors. Disabled veterans who are 100% service-connected disabled may qualify for a full real property tax exemption on their primary residence under Code of Virginia § 58.1-3219.5. Contact Prince William County Tax Administration for current eligibility thresholds and application procedures.
Incorporated Towns Within Prince William County
Prince William County contains four incorporated towns: Dumfries, Haymarket, Occoquan, and Quantico. Residents of these towns pay the county real property tax rate and may also pay an additional town levy for town-provided services. Note that the Fire and Rescue levy does not apply within the Town of Quantico. Confirm the applicable rates with both the town government and the county if you live within a town's boundaries.
Source: Prince William County Tax Administration - Real Estate Tax (pwcva.gov)
Vehicle Personal Property Tax
Rate and Assessment Method
Prince William County levies an annual personal property tax on vehicles registered in the county. The most recently published rate for personal use vehicles is $3.50 per $100 of assessed value for the 2025 tax year. This rate was adopted by the Board of County Supervisors on April 22, 2025. Under Code of Virginia § 58.1-3503, vehicles are assessed using the J.D. Power Official Used Car Guide (formerly NADA Guides, Clean Trade-In value) as of January 1 of the tax year. For vehicles not listed in the guide, the Commissioner of the Revenue determines assessed value using an alternative approved method. High-mileage adjustments are available for qualifying vehicles; contact Prince William County Tax Administration for current mileage thresholds by model year.
Vehicle Registration Fee
In addition to the personal property tax, Prince William County charges a separate annual vehicle registration fee. This fee is distinct from the personal property tax and is never prorated regardless of when you move into or out of the county during the year.
| Vehicle Type | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Autos and trucks | $33 |
| Motorcycles | $20 |
PPTRA Relief - State-Funded Tax Reduction
Virginia's Personal Property Tax Relief Act (PPTRA), Code of Virginia § 58.1-3524, provides partial state-funded relief on the first $20,000 of assessed value for qualifying personal use vehicles. Virginia distributes a fixed annual block grant of $950 million among all localities. Prince William County calculates its annual PPTRA relief percentage by dividing the county's share of that grant by the total qualifying vehicle assessed value in the county for that year.
Prince William County's most recently published PPTRA relief percentage is 37.0% for the 2025 tax year. This means 37.0% of the tax on the first $20,000 of assessed value is covered by the state grant, reducing the effective tax on that portion. Vehicles assessed at $1,000 or less receive 100% PPTRA relief and owe no vehicle personal property tax for that year. Vehicle value above $20,000 receives no PPTRA relief and is taxed at the full $3.50 rate.
The PPTRA percentage is recalculated every year. Verify the current-year PPTRA percentage at pwcva.gov - Personal Property Tax Relief Act before relying on the 37.0% figure for a current-year estimate.
Single-Installment Payment Schedule
Prince William County bills vehicle personal property tax as a single annual payment. Unlike Loudoun County, which splits the vehicle personal property tax into two equal installments, Prince William collects the full annual amount in one payment.
| Payment | Standard Due Date |
|---|---|
| Annual vehicle personal property tax | October 5 |
A 10% penalty applies to payments received after the due date. Interest accrues at 10% per annum per Code of Virginia § 58.1-3918. Prince William County occasionally extends the due date when vehicle valuations increase significantly; verify the current year's due date at pwcva.gov/tax-administration/personal-property-tax.
Proration
Prince William County prorates vehicle personal property tax for residents who move into or out of the county during the year. Vehicles are taxable as of the date they become garaged in Prince William County. New residents must register their vehicles with the county within 30 days of moving in. The annual registration fee is not prorated regardless of move-in date. Contact the Commissioner of the Revenue for current proration rules and procedures.
Sources: Prince William County Tax Administration - Personal Property Tax (pwcva.gov) | Prince William County - Calculating Personal Property Tax PUB851-25 (PDF, pwcva.gov)
Sales Tax
Rate and Composition
The combined sales tax rate in Prince William County is 6.0%. The county is within the Northern Virginia regional transportation district, which adds a 0.7% regional levy on top of the 5.3% statewide base rate.
| Component | Rate |
|---|---|
| Virginia state rate | 4.3% |
| Local rate | 1.0% |
| Northern Virginia regional transportation levy | 0.7% |
| Combined rate | 6.0% |
Qualifying food and grocery items are subject to Virginia's reduced 1.0% state rate rather than the full 6.0% combined rate. Prince William County does not independently set its sales tax rate; the 6.0% rate is authorized by the Virginia General Assembly through legislation governing the Northern Virginia regional transportation district.
Source: Virginia Department of Taxation - Sales and Use Tax (tax.virginia.gov)
Food and Beverage Tax (Meals Tax)
Rate and Applicability
Prince William County levies a local food and beverage tax, commonly called the meals tax, on the purchase of prepared food and beverages sold for immediate human consumption. This includes meals served at restaurants, carry-out and delivery orders, and other food service purchases. The meals tax is collected by food service businesses at the point of sale and remitted to the county. It applies in addition to, and separately from, the Virginia sales tax.
| Current Rate | Effective Date | Prior Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 3% | January 1, 2026 | 4% (through December 31, 2025) |
The Board of County Supervisors reduced the meals tax from 4% to 3% effective January 1, 2026. The tax applies to the purchase price of prepared food and beverages sold for immediate consumption, including restaurant meals, carry-out, catering, and similar purchases. Groceries and other items sold in an unprepared form are not subject to the meals tax, though they may be subject to applicable Virginia sales tax.
Source: Prince William County Tax Administration (pwcva.gov)
Virginia Tax Tools
Virginia Car Tax Calculator
Estimate your Prince William County annual vehicle personal property tax including PPTRA relief, based on your vehicle's assessed value.
LiveVirginia Property Tax Calculator
Estimate your Prince William County annual real property tax based on assessed value.
LiveVirginia Sales Tax Calculator
Estimate sales tax on purchases in Prince William County at the 6.0% Northern Virginia rate.
LiveNeighboring Virginia Jurisdictions
Prince William County borders the following Virginia jurisdictions.
- Fairfax County
- Loudoun County
- Stafford County
- City of Manassas
For statewide context and a complete list of Virginia jurisdictions, see Virginia County Tax Rates.
Official Sources
-
Prince William County Tax Administration - Real Estate Tax
Official source for Prince William County real property tax rates, levy components, assessments, exemption programs, and payment schedules.
pwcva.gov/department/tax-administration/real-estate-tax -
Prince William County Tax Administration - Personal Property Tax
Official source for Prince William County vehicle personal property tax rates, assessment methodology, registration fees, and payment schedules.
pwcva.gov/department/tax-administration/personal-property-tax -
Prince William County - Calculating Personal Property Tax (PUB851-25)
Official Prince William County publication confirming the 37.0% PPTRA relief percentage for the 2025 tax year and the first-$20,000 calculation methodology.
pwcva.gov - PUB851-25 (PDF) -
Prince William County - Personal Property Tax Relief Act
Official overview of PPTRA eligibility and annual relief percentages for Prince William County personal use vehicles.
pwcva.gov/department/tax-administration/personal-property-tax-relief-act -
Virginia Department of Taxation - Sales and Use Tax
Official source for Virginia sales tax rates by region, including the Northern Virginia transportation district rate and the reduced grocery rate.
tax.virginia.gov/sales-and-use-tax -
Prince William County Tax Administration - Food and Beverage Tax
Official source for the Prince William County meals tax rate, applicability, and business remittance requirements.
pwcva.gov/department/tax-administration -
Code of Virginia § 58.1-3524 - Personal Property Tax Relief Act (PPTRA)
Statutory authority for Virginia's vehicle personal property tax relief program, including the $20,000 assessed value threshold and the $950 million annual block grant structure.
law.lis.virginia.gov - PPTRA statutory reference -
Code of Virginia § 58.1-3503 - Assessment of Personal Property
Statutory authority for vehicle assessment methodology in Virginia, including the recognized pricing guide requirement.
law.lis.virginia.gov - § 58.1-3503
Tax rates are sourced from official Prince William County and Virginia state government websites. Rates, levy amounts, and due dates change. Verify current figures with Prince William County Tax Administration before making financial decisions based on this page. Data last verified: March 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Prince William County property tax rate?
Prince William County's base real property tax rate is $0.906 per $100 of assessed value for FY2026 (fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025), adopted April 22, 2025. Two countywide levies add to the base rate: the Fire and Rescue levy ($0.0720 per $100 for FY2026) and the Mosquito and Forest Pest Management levy ($0.0025 per $100), producing a combined rate of $0.9805 per $100 for most properties. The Fire and Rescue levy does not apply within the Town of Quantico. Some parcels are also subject to Community Development Authority or Service District levies. Verify the current rate schedule at pwcva.gov/tax-administration/real-estate-tax.
How is Prince William County real property assessed?
Prince William County assesses real property at 100% of fair market value as of January 1 each year. Property owners who believe their assessment does not reflect fair market value may appeal through the Commissioner of the Revenue and, if unresolved, before the Board of Equalization. Some properties are also subject to CDA assessments or special Service District levies in addition to the standard county rates; confirm whether your parcel is within any such district.
What is the Prince William County vehicle personal property tax rate?
Prince William County's vehicle personal property tax rate is $3.50 per $100 of assessed value for the 2025 tax year (the most recently published rate). Vehicles are assessed using the J.D. Power Official Used Car Guide (Clean Trade-In value) as of January 1. For qualifying personal use vehicles, PPTRA relief applies to the first $20,000 of assessed value; the published relief percentage is 37.0% for the 2025 tax year; verify the current year's rate at pwcva.gov. Vehicles assessed at $1,000 or less receive 100% PPTRA relief (no tax due). Vehicle value above $20,000 is taxed at the full $3.50 rate. The tax is due as a single annual payment on October 5.
How does PPTRA relief work in Prince William County?
Virginia's Personal Property Tax Relief Act (PPTRA) provides partial state-funded relief on the first $20,000 of assessed value for qualifying personal use vehicles. Prince William County's most recently published PPTRA relief percentage is 37.0% for the 2025 tax year, meaning 37.0% of the tax on the first $20,000 of assessed value is covered by state funding.
Vehicles assessed at $1,000 or less receive 100% PPTRA relief and owe no vehicle personal property tax. Vehicle value above $20,000 receives no PPTRA relief and is taxed at the full $3.50 rate.
This percentage is recalculated annually. Virginia distributes a fixed $950 million annual block grant among all localities, and each locality calculates its own percentage based on its share of the grant relative to qualifying vehicle values that year. Verify the current-year rate at pwcva.gov - Personal Property Tax Relief Act.
When is Prince William County vehicle personal property tax due?
Prince William County bills vehicle personal property tax as a single annual payment. The standard due date is October 5. A 10% penalty applies to payments received after the due date. Interest accrues at 10% per annum per Code of Virginia § 58.1-3918. Prince William County occasionally extends due dates when vehicle valuations increase significantly; verify the current year's due date with Prince William County Tax Administration. A separate annual vehicle registration fee of $33 (autos and trucks) or $20 (motorcycles) also applies and is never prorated.
What is the Prince William County meals tax rate?
Prince William County's food and beverage tax (meals tax) rate is 3% as of January 1, 2026, reduced from the prior rate of 4%. The tax applies to prepared food and beverages sold for immediate human consumption, including restaurant meals, carry-out, and catering. The meals tax is collected by food service businesses at the point of sale. It is separate from and in addition to the Virginia sales tax. Groceries sold in an unprepared form are not subject to the meals tax. Verify the current rate with Prince William County Tax Administration at pwcva.gov/department/tax-administration.