What Fairfax Assessments Mean for Kingstowne Owners

Did your Fairfax County 2025 assessment jump this year? You are not alone, and it can feel confusing to connect that number to your actual tax bill and monthly budget. If you own a home or condo in Kingstowne, understanding what changed and what you can do next will help you plan with confidence. In this guide, you’ll learn how assessments work, what the 2025 numbers mean, how to estimate your tax, and when an appeal might make sense. Let’s dive in.

What your assessment really means

Your assessment is the county’s estimate of your home’s fair market value as of January 1 for that tax year. Fairfax uses mass appraisal methods based on recent neighborhood sales and property characteristics to equalize values across similar homes. It is a valuation tool used to calculate real estate tax, not a tax bill by itself. You can learn more in the county’s overview of how assessments are produced and reviewed in Fairfax’s assessment guide and FAQs.

Because the county relies on a defined sales window, there is a natural time lag. Your assessment reflects past sales activity, so very recent market shifts may not appear until the next year.

2025 at a glance for Kingstowne owners

Fairfax County reports the average residential assessment increased 6.65 percent for 2025. Assessment notices for 2025 were mailed February 18, 2025. You can review the county’s annual update on the Real Estate Assessments page and the assessment mailing notice.

Here is the typical timeline for 2025:

• January 1: Assessment effective date for the tax year.
• February 18: 2025 notices mailed by Fairfax County.
• April 1: Administrative appeal deadline for 2025 residential assessments.
• June 2: Board of Equalization appeal deadline for 2025.
• Late July and early December: Semiannual real estate tax installments due. See the county’s FAQs for billing schedules.

Note: Dates and rates are set annually by Fairfax County. Always confirm current-year details on the county site.

How your tax bill is calculated

Real estate taxes are based on your assessed value and the adopted tax rates. The 2025 base real estate tax rate is $1.1225 per $100 of assessed value. Special district levies may apply by parcel. Review the full list on Fairfax’s tax rates page.

Here is the basic math:

• Tax = (Assessed value ÷ 100) × Tax rate
• Example: If your Kingstowne home is assessed at $675,000 and the base rate is $1.1225, your annual tax is approximately (675,000 ÷ 100) × 1.1225 ≈ $7,579, plus any special district levies.

If assessments rise, the Board of Supervisors can adjust the tax rate. Your final bill depends on both the value and the adopted rate for the year.

Budget impact: escrow, HOA, and cash flow

If your mortgage includes an escrow account for taxes, your servicer will likely recalculate your monthly payment after a reassessment. Expect changes to show up after your servicer’s next escrow analysis. Because Fairfax bills in July and December, you may have a brief lag before higher taxes affect your monthly payment.

Your HOA or condo dues are separate from county real estate taxes. In Kingstowne, many properties belong to the Kingstowne Residential Owners Corporation or a condo association. Check your HOA statements for any dues changes or special assessments, since those also affect your total monthly cost.

Should you appeal your assessment?

An appeal can be worthwhile if your assessed value is above fair market value or if the county’s property data is incorrect. Start by contacting the Department of Tax Administration for an explanation of how your value was set and to request an inspection if needed. Review Fairfax’s appeal steps and deadlines on the assessment appeals page.

Step-by-step plan

1. Check your property record

• Look up your parcel in the county’s iCare/Real Estate Assessment database. Verify square footage, bedrooms, baths, basement finish, lot size, and construction details. If anything is wrong, note it.

2. Compare to local sales

• Pull comparable Kingstowne sales from the county database for the same sales period the county used. Focus on similar homes near you with close size and condition.

3. File the right appeal

• Administrative appeal to the DTA by the annual deadline, then a Board of Equalization appeal if needed. The 2025 deadlines were April 1 for administrative appeals and June 2 for BOE appeals. See instructions and forms on the appeals page.

4. Pay on time while appealing

• You must pay your tax bills by the due dates even if you appeal. If your appeal is approved, the county will issue an adjustment or credit. See billing details in the FAQs.

Evidence that strengthens an appeal

• Comparable sales with addresses, dates, prices, and property details.
• Documentation of property-record errors, such as a survey or measured floor plan, and photos.
• A recent private appraisal or inspection reports, if available.
• For rentals, income and expense statements if requested by DTA.

Selling or refinancing? What to know

Assessments are not the same as a market price or a mortgage appraisal. Buyers and lenders look at current comparable sales and property condition. Still, taxes influence affordability, so accurate county data helps prospective buyers understand monthly costs. If you are planning a sale or refinance, review your iCare record for accuracy and gather recent comparables. A local pricing strategy built on up-to-the-minute sales is your best guide.

Tax relief programs that can help

Fairfax offers programs for eligible homeowners, including tax relief or deferral for elderly or permanently disabled residents and exemptions for disabled veterans. Each program has income and asset limits and annual application deadlines. Review eligibility and how to apply on the county’s tax relief programs page.

Key takeaways for Kingstowne owners

• The average Fairfax residential assessment rose 6.65 percent in 2025, with notices mailed February 18.
• Your tax is your assessed value times the adopted tax rate. The 2025 base rate is $1.1225 per $100 of value.
• Escrow and HOA changes can affect your monthly budget, so review both.
• Check your county property record for accuracy, compare sales, and use Fairfax’s appeal process if needed.
• Pay on time to avoid penalties. If your appeal succeeds, the county will credit or refund the difference.

If you want help reading your assessment, checking comparable sales, or timing a sale in Kingstowne, reach out to The LizLuke Team. We pair neighborhood expertise with a clear plan so you can move forward with confidence.

FAQs

Fairfax 2025 assessments: how are values set?

• Fairfax uses mass appraisal methods based on neighborhood sales and property characteristics to estimate fair market value for January 1 of each year, as explained in the county’s assessment guide.

Kingstowne property taxes 2025: what is the rate?

• The 2025 base real estate tax rate is $1.1225 per $100 of assessed value, with possible special district levies listed on the county’s tax rates page.

Fairfax appeals: what were the 2025 deadlines?

• For 2025, administrative appeals were due April 1 and Board of Equalization appeals were due June 2; see current-year procedures on the county’s assessment appeals page.

Escrow and reassessment: when will my payment change?

• If your loan escrows taxes, your servicer typically adjusts your monthly payment after the next escrow analysis following reassessment; Fairfax issues bills in July and December per the FAQs.

Selling in Kingstowne: does the assessment set my price?

• No; an assessment is not a list price or appraisal. Buyers and lenders rely on current comparable sales and property condition rather than the county’s mass appraisal.

Fairfax tax relief: who might qualify?

• Programs exist for eligible elderly or permanently disabled homeowners and for disabled veterans, with income and asset limits; review details and forms on the county’s tax relief page.