Fairfax County's regular 2026 real-estate assessment appeal windows are closed. Administrative appeals were due April 1, and independent Board of Equalization applications with all written supporting evidence were due June 1. The $249 FairPath owner-guided evidence packet remains available now for every Fairfax County property. It can organize the assessment notice, iCare parcel record, owner-verified facts, comparable sales, photographs, condition records, maps, authorization, and official forms for review or future preparation. A closed filing window changes procedural guidance, not packet access. FairPath does not reopen a deadline, submit an appeal, choose the owner's asserted assessment, communicate with the Department or Board, or represent the owner.
Assessment context: Fairfax assesses real estate at 100% of fair market value as of January 1. The county identifies three principal appeal grounds: the assessment exceeds fair market value, it is not uniform compared with similar property, or the property description contains a factual error. A large percentage increase, a change between land and improvement components, or the tax bill alone does not establish one of those grounds. Review the total assessment and the iCare record for lot, building area, age, construction, condition, basement, additions, use, and neighborhood data, then connect the evidence to the stated ground.
Filing process: An owner could use the Department of Tax Administration's administrative appeal or proceed directly to the independent Board of Equalization; the administrative stage was recommended but was not a prerequisite. For 2026, DTA filings were due April 1 and BOE filings were due June 1. A BOE submission required a completed application for each parcel, a written statement describing the claimed error, and all documentary evidence by the deadline. The Board says no additional written material or visual presentation may be added after filing, except maps or photographs at the hearing. A non-owner applicant also needed a qualifying owner authorization. Filing reopens both the land and improvement values, so either component may be increased, decreased, or affirmed. An appellant should review the complete assessment rather than assuming the Board can consider only the line item identified in the application. Taxes remain payable on time while an appeal is pending, and ordinary penalties and interest still apply to late payment.
Evidence to review: Use the January 1, 2026 valuation date and focus on total fair market value, uniformity, or a specific property-record error. Check iCare for land area, finished space, age, quality, condition, basement, garage, additions, zoning, topography, and flood-plain information. Select comparable sales that reflect the relevant market and document sale date and price, tax map number, location, size, age, style, condition, and necessary adjustments. Add dated photographs, inspections, repair scopes, surveys, permits, maps, and owner records. Because the BOE requires the written evidentiary record at filing, organize the complete theory and exhibits before the next applicable deadline rather than expecting to supplement them later.
Current deadline guidance: 2026 administrative and Board appeal windows closed. Fairfax County required 2026 administrative appeals to be postmarked, filed online, or emailed by 4:30 p.m. Eastern on April 1. The independent Board of Equalization required applications and all written supporting evidence by June 1, 2026: electronic and hand delivery by 4:30 p.m., or mail postmarked by midnight. Both regular filing windows are closed.
Fairfax values real estate at 100% of fair market value as of January 1.
The 2026 administrative deadline was April 1 and the independent BOE deadline was June 1.
An administrative appeal was not required before a direct BOE application.
The BOE requires all written supporting evidence with the application and generally will not accept later written additions.
Official filing authority: Fairfax County Department of Tax Administration or independent Board of Equalization. https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/taxes/real-estate/assessment-appeals
Source: Fairfax County Department of Tax Administration, Real Estate Assessment Appeals, https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/taxes/real-estate/assessment-appeals. Reviewed 2026-07-29.
Source: Fairfax County Board of Equalization, Board of Equalization Assessment Appeals, https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/boe/appeal-application. Reviewed 2026-07-29.
Source: Fairfax County Department of Tax Administration, 2026 Real Estate Assessment Appeal Application, https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/taxes/sites/taxes/files/Assets/Documents/PDF/real-estate/2026-appeal-application-compliant.pdf. Reviewed 2026-07-29.
Source: Fairfax County Board of Equalization, 2026 Board of Equalization Application, https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/taxes/sites/taxes/files/Assets/Documents/PDF/boe/2026-boe-appeal-application-compliant.pdf. Reviewed 2026-07-29.