Real Estate Reassessment FAQ
Real Estate in Frederick County, as called for by the Virginia State Code, is taxed at 100% of fair market value. This is determined by conducting a thorough sales study immediately prior to each general reassessment of real property. Such reassessment is conducted every two (2) years. On January 1, of the year immediately following such reassessment field work, the values take effect for tax purposes for the next two years. In the interim period, the Commissioner of the Revenue and her field assessors value any new construction and other changes to the real property.
Taxpayers are notified of their values for the coming two (2) years during the latter months of the last year of each reassessment cycle. The Board of Supervisors may appoint a Board of Assessors in that last year. If so, such Board of Assessors (BOA) will hold hearings for taxpayers to appeal any change made to their real estate assessments. It is the taxpayer who must show that the assessment is incorrect and why. Should the taxpayer be dissatisfied at the conclusion of any BOA hearings, he may appeal after January 1 of the first effective year to a second board, the Board of Equalization (BOE). This board, appointed by a panel of judges is the final appeal step before a court proceeding. Again the taxpayer is charged with displaying why his reassessment value is inequitable with that of similar properties. Both the BOA and BOE hearing dates are public information and advertised in the local newspaper.
New construction, new subdivisions of property, and improvements are taxed when they are substantially complete during the two (2) year cycle. Comparable values and building codes and prices are applied to the new measurements and specifications. Such comparable values derive from the last general sales study during the reassessment. The Commissioner's staff applies such values. Also, under Virginia State Code, annually on January 1 any improvement to the land is billed at whatever stage of completion it has reached on January 1.
Based on the assessed evaluations, the annual tax rate (set by the Board of Supervisors each April for that calendar year) is applied and bills are then generated on all information available at the printing date. Bills are due in halves on JUNE 5 AND DECEMBER 5 annually. Items of new construction and corrections for items under billed will be supplemented and an additional bill with another due date will be sent. Any taxpayer concerned with his billing information is encouraged to call the Commissioner of the Revenue office with questions. If the question relates only to payment of the tax, the taxpayer should call the county treasurer.
Unpaid real estate taxes continue to accrue and attach to the property including any penalty and interest until paid.
1990 = .78 |
2000 = .64 |
1991 = .43 |
2001 = .61 |
1992 = .43 |
2002 = .61 |
1993 = .55 |
2003 = .73 |
1994 = .55 |
2004 = .73 |
1995 = .55 |
2005 = .525 |
1996 = .60 |
2006 = .525 |
1997 = .59 |
2007 = .525 |
1998 = .59 |
2008 = .525 |
1999 = .59 |
2009 = .51 |
How do I calculate my real estate taxes?