Virginia Personal Property Tax Calculator (2026)
The Virginia personal property tax — the "car tax" — is an annual local tax on your vehicle's value. Counties and cities set the rate, typically $3.50 to $5.33 per $100 of assessed value (Fairfax $4.57, Virginia Beach $4.00, Alexandria $5.33). Virginia's effective rate is about 3.97%, the highest in the nation. Enter your vehicle's value below to estimate the bill, then apply your locality's PPTR relief.
What is the Virginia personal property tax rate?
It is set by county or city, usually $3.50–$5.33 per $100 of assessed value (e.g. Fairfax $4.57, Alexandria $5.33). The population-weighted effective rate is about 3.97%.
How much is car tax on a $20,000 car in Virginia?
About $794 a year before relief. Virginia's PPTR reduces the tax on the first $20,000 of value for personal-use vehicles.
What is PPTR in Virginia?
The Personal Property Tax Relief program lowers the car tax on the first $20,000 of a qualifying personal vehicle's value. The relief percentage is set yearly by each locality.
Is the Virginia car tax annual?
Yes. It is an annual ad valorem tax on the vehicle's assessed value, billed every year you own and register the car in Virginia.
How does the Virginia car tax work?
Virginia taxes vehicles as personal property. Each county or city assesses your car's value every year, usually from a J.D. Power (NADA) trade-in value, and applies a local rate quoted per $100 of value. The tax is billed annually for as long as the car is garaged in Virginia.
The statewide effective rate is about 3.97%, the highest car tax in the country. Your exact rate depends on your locality and the relief it grants.
What are the Virginia car tax rates by locality?
| Locality | Rate per $100 | Nominal rate |
|---|---|---|
| City of Alexandria | $5.33 | 5.33% |
| Dinwiddie County | $4.60 | 4.60% |
| Fairfax County | $4.57 | 4.57% |
| Suffolk | $4.25 | 4.25% |
| Poquoson | $4.15 | 4.15% |
| Virginia Beach | $4.00 | 4.00% |
Rates are before Personal Property Tax Relief, so the effective rate you pay is lower on the first $20,000 of value.
How do you calculate Virginia personal property tax?
- Find your vehicle's assessed value (your locality uses the J.D. Power trade-in value).
- Divide the value by 100 and multiply by your locality's rate per $100.
- Apply PPTR relief on the first $20,000 of value for a qualifying personal vehicle.
- For a quick estimate, multiply your car's value by the 3.97% effective rate.
What is Virginia's Personal Property Tax Relief (PPTR)?
PPTR is a state program that reduces the car tax on the first $20,000 of a qualifying personal-use vehicle's value. Each locality sets its relief percentage every year based on its share of state funds. Business vehicles and value above $20,000 are taxed at the full local rate.
Why is your Virginia car tax bill different from this estimate?
Your locality's rate may differ from the state effective rate, your assessed value comes from a depreciation guide rather than what you paid, and PPTR relief lowers the first $20,000. Use this page to budget, and your locality's bill for the exact figure.