City Council will hold a second read vote at its May 24 meeting, to lower the tax rate to $0.77 per $100 valuation.
From the City of Fredericksburg Website
In accordance with the Code of Virginia, the City of Fredericksburg is currently undergoing a general reassessment of all real property, in which each property is assessed at 100% of the estimated fair market value as of July 1, 2016. The last City-wide reassessment was effective July 1, 2012.
The generally accepted definition of market value is the most probable price a property will bring when it is offered for sale by one who desires, but is not obliged, to sell it, and bought by one
who is under no necessity of having it. The primary goal of the reassessment process is to assess properties at 100% of market value and in doing so assure that assessments are uniformly applied
so that the real estate tax levy is equitable among all property owners according to the value of their property.
Real estate assessments may increase or decrease due to a variety of reasons including changes in economic conditions, structural changes, land divisions, and re-zonings. If you believe that your
property has been incorrectly assessed, you may appeal your assessment during the assessor’s hearings. The hearing schedule and contact information is shown below. Please call 540-372-1207 for an appointment time.
Wednesday, May 18, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Wednesday, May 25, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Thursday, May 19. 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Thursday, May 26, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Monday, May 23, 1 – 7 p.m.
Tuesday, May 31, 1 – 7 p.m.
Tuesday, May 24, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Wednesday, June 1, 1 – 7 p.m.
– The real estate tax is based on the July 1 assessed value and a real estate tax rate is determined annually by the City of Fredericksburg City Council.
– Many homeowners pay City of Fredericksburg real estate tax as part of their monthly mortgage payment. Their mortgage company then sends the homeowner’s tax payment directly to the City Treasurer’s Office.
– Homeowners whose monthly mortgage payments do not include escrow for real estate taxes, and those who no longer have a mortgage, pay their real estate taxes directly to the City. City real estate taxes are billed on the fiscal year beginning July 1 and ending June 30. They are billed in two equal installments due November 15 and May 15.
– Some elderly and/or permanently disabled homeowners may be eligible for tax relief. See the Commissioner of the Revenue page for details or call the Commissioner’s office at 540-372-1207.
If you are not satisfied with the determination of the assessor, you may appeal to the Board of Equalization. You may also appeal to the Board of Equalization even if an appeal has not been made to the assessor. If you are still not satisfied with the determination of the Board of Equalization, the only remaining option is to petition the Circuit Court in accordance with Section 58.1-3984 of the Code of Virginia. In all cases it is the responsibility of the taxpayer to provide documentation as to why their assessment should be changed. This may include:
– A correction to the description or improvements as listed on the property records;
– A comparison of assessments in your general area for properties that have physical features similar to your property;
– A list of recently sold comparable homes in your neighborhood, or the listing price of comparable homes that are for sale in your neighborhood. If there are no such homes in your neighborhood, a list of comparable homes in a comparable neighborhood may be presented;
– A recent appraisal of your property.
Timeline of process
September 2015 to April 2016 – Assessor field work to inspect properties in the City of Fredericksburg
May 2016 – Assessment notices mailed out
May – June 2016 – Assessment hearings held
July 2016 – City Council will begin establishing the Board of Equalization which will hear additional
requests from property owners regarding property assessments
July 2016 – Circuit Court approves Board of Equalization candidates
August 2016 – Board of Equalization members receive training
September/October 2016 – Board of Equalization will begin hearing citizen’s cases
Fall 2016 – Deadline for filing an appeal with the Board of Equalization
Winter 2016– Board of Equalization closes hearings
Thereafter – Citizens who still wish to appeal their assessments may come before the Circuit Court
