Search Fairfax County iCare
The iCare system separates address, tax-map and map searches and can display property characteristics, neighborhood sales and assessment history. Owner names may be withheld from the internet record when privacy rules apply.
- Choose address, tax-map reference or map search.
- Confirm the tax-map number and assessment year before comparing values.
- Review property characteristics and neighborhood sales for factual errors.
- Use the DTA payment service for bills; iCare payment data may lag recent transactions.
- Use Circuit Court land records when deed language or legal ownership matters.
What the public record contains
Fairfax assessment records are designed for valuation and tax administration.
- Tax-map reference and situs address
- Land and improvement values
- Property characteristics and construction details
- Assessment history and neighborhood sales
- Tax-district and payment-reference information
The iCare record is not a boundary survey, title report or complete substitute for recorded deeds and easements.
Use the correct office
| Task | Responsible office | Best next step |
|---|---|---|
| Value, characteristics, sales or relief | Department of Tax Administration | Use iCare or contact DTA. |
| Administrative review | DTA Real Estate Division | File by the current administrative deadline. |
| Formal appeal | Board of Equalization | Submit the BOE application and all written evidence. |
| Deed or recorded instrument | Fairfax Circuit Court Land Records | Research the land-record index or CPAN. |
Fairfax annual assessment and tax calendar
Fairfax assesses real estate as of January 1 and mails annual notices near the end of February. The Board of Supervisors sets the tax rate later, so an assessment notice is not a final tax bill.
Fairfax tax relief and special assessment programs
DTA administers tax relief and special-use assessment programs. Eligibility and filing requirements depend on ownership, occupancy, age, disability, income or land use.
- Tax relief for seniors and people with disabilities
- Disabled-veteran and surviving-spouse relief where eligible
- Land-use assessment for qualifying agricultural, horticultural, forest or open-space land
- Exempt-status review for qualifying organizations
- Prorated adjustment for qualifying destroyed or severely damaged buildings
Fairfax assessment appeals
A taxpayer may discuss the value with DTA, file an administrative appeal, or file directly with the independent Board of Equalization. Taxes must still be paid on time.
- Review characteristics and neighborhood sales in iCare.
- For 2026, file the DTA administrative appeal by April 1 at 4:30 PM.
- For 2026, file the BOE appeal with all written evidence by June 1 at 4:30 PM.
- Include authorization when an agent files and income records for income-producing property.
- Continue paying July and December installments while the appeal is pending.
Property-tax bills and payments
DTA both assesses real estate and collects the county tax. First-half and second-half bills have separate summer and winter due dates. A pending appeal does not suspend penalties or interest.
Deeds, ownership and recorded documents
The Circuit Court Land Records Division maintains deeds, deeds of trust and other recorded instruments. Assessment data and land-record data answer different questions.
Additional Fairfax research
- Commercial and income-producing appeals require income-and-expense support.
- Damaged or decaying buildings can qualify for a prorated assessment adjustment.
- Owner names can be withheld from online records under applicable privacy procedures.
- Different tax districts may add service charges beyond the base county rate.
Common lookup and record problems
- If an address fails, search by street name or tax-map number.
- If a recent payment is missing, use DTA payment history or contact Revenue Collection.
- If the structure description is wrong, contact the Real Estate Division before filing a formal appeal.
- If a deed is missing, use Circuit Court land records rather than iCare.
- If an agent is involved, submit the required authorization before asking for confidential details.
Buyer and homeowner checks
- Confirm January 1 value and the current tax district.
- Review open appeals and any land-use assessment status.
- Check whether seller tax relief will continue after transfer.
- Search the recorded deed and deed-of-trust history.
- Compare the assessment year with the bill year before estimating costs.
Local bottom line
Fairfax combines assessment and collection in DTA, but deeds remain with the Circuit Court. The biggest deadline risk is confusing an administrative appeal with the later BOE filing.
Frequently asked questions
Can I appeal directly to the Fairfax Board of Equalization?
Yes. A DTA administrative appeal is not required before a BOE appeal.
Does filing an appeal delay my tax payment?
No. Pay every installment on time while the appeal is pending.
Can an assessment increase during an appeal?
Yes. DTA or the BOE may affirm, reduce or increase the value when the evidence supports it.
Does iCare prove legal ownership?
No. Use Fairfax Circuit Court land records for recorded ownership documents.
What were the 2026 appeal deadlines?
The DTA deadline was April 1, 2026, and the BOE deadline was June 1, 2026.
Source and data quality
Official Verified Last verified: 2026-07-27 · Data quality: 100/100