By Johnny Mendez2026 tax assessments are out, or will be very soon, depending on what county you live in. This is where your local government sets a value on what they believe your home or commercial property is worth and taxes you accordingly. These jurisdictions use a mass appraisal approach, which means they sometimes get things wrong.
If you believe your home is being incorrectly valued, you have the opportunity to challenge your assessment; but you need to file the necessary paperwork as soon as possible, because appeal deadlines come up quickly.
This matters if you own property, but it's also important if you're a renter. Rent increases are often driven, in part, by rising expenses like real estate taxes, which in our area tend to be a substantial portion of a property's operating costs.
Here's when you can expect your 2026 assessment and the appeal deadlines for some of our closest counties:
Arlington County, VA
• Assessment notices typically mailed in January.
• Administrative appeal deadline: March 2, 2026.
• Board of Equalization appeal deadline: April 15, 2026.
Fairfax County, VA
• Assessment notices typically mailed in mid-February.
• Administrative appeal deadline: April 1, 2026.
• Board of Equalization appeal deadline: early June 2026 (exact date printed on the notice).
City of Falls Church, VA
• Assessment notices typically mailed in February or early March.
• Appeal to assessor deadline: April 15, 2026 .
• Board of Equalization appeal deadline: first Friday in June 2026.
City of Fairfax, VA
• Assessment notices typically mailed in March.
• Appeal deadline: 30 days from the date the notice is received.
• Board of Equalization appeal deadline typically late June or July 1.
Loudoun County, VA
• Assessment notices typically mailed in February.
• Administrative review deadline: March 16, 2026.
• Board of Equalization appeal deadline: June 1, 2026.
Prince William County, VA
• Assessment notices typically mailed in early March.
• Administrative appeal deadline: June 1, 2026.
• Board of Equalization appeal deadline: July 1, 2026.
Washington, D.C.
• Assessment notices typically mailed in late February or early March.
• First-level appeal deadline (Office of Tax and Revenue): April 1, 2026.
In case you're wondering what the difference is between an administrative appeal and a Board of Equalization appeal, here's a breakdown:
The administrative appeal is your first step, where you communicate directly with the county assessor's office. They'll review your concerns and may adjust the assessment if they find errors or agree with your evidence.
If that doesn't resolve the issue, you can escalate to the Board of Equalization. This board will meet with you, hear both your side and the county's side, and make a final decision on your property's assessed value.
If you want help putting together your appeal or need a Realtor's opinion of value, let me know. I'd be happy to help! I currently sit on the Arlington County Board of Equalization and this will be my 4th year, so I'm very familiar with the tax assessment appeal process.