Virginia Property Tax Relief: Exemptions & How to File
Virginia has 4 main property tax relief programs, administered through your Commissioner of the Revenue. Filing is free.
Biggest benefit
100% exemption of the real estate tax on the veteran's principal residence and up to one acre of land (localities may exempt additional acreage)
Earliest common deadline
Deadline varies — confirm locally
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Never pay to file a property tax exemption
Applying for a homestead, senior, veteran, or disability exemption is always free through your Commissioner of the Revenue. You do not need a middleman, and no one can file it "faster" for a fee.
Be skeptical of official-looking letters offering to file your homestead exemption, "designate" your homestead, or send you a copy of your deed for $50–$200. These are private solicitations, not government notices. When in doubt, contact your Commissioner of the Revenue directly using the phone number on your tax bill.
Virginia property tax relief programs
Amounts, eligibility, deadlines, and the official source for each program.
| Program | Benefit | Who qualifies | Deadline | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local-Option Real Estate Tax Relief for the Elderly and Permanently & Totally DisabledSenior (65+)Verify locally | Varies by locality | Age 65+ · Alternatively available to persons who are permanently and totally disabled (as defined in Va. Code § 58.1-3217), but only if the locality's ordinance extends relief to disabled persons. · Income: Set by each locality; no statewide cap. Va. Code § 58.1-3212 lets the local governing body set an annual income limitation (combining income of owners and certain relatives residing in the dwelling, with permitted exclusions). · The real estate must be owned by and occupied as the sole dwelling of the qualifying person (ownership may be held individually, jointly with a spouse, or through a revocable trust or life estate). | Deadline varies — confirm locally | Official source ↗Va. Code §§ 58.1-3210 to 58.1-3218; Va. Const. art. X, § 6(b) |
| Local-Option Real Estate Tax Deferral for the Elderly and Permanently & Totally DisabledTax DeferralVerify locally | Varies by locality | Age 65+ · Alternatively available to permanently and totally disabled persons (as defined in Va. Code § 58.1-3217) if the locality's ordinance so provides. · Income: Set by each locality; no statewide cap (Va. Code § 58.1-3212). · Real estate must be owned by and occupied as the sole dwelling of the qualifying person. | Deadline varies — confirm locally | Official source ↗Va. Code § 58.1-3210; Va. Const. art. X, § 6(b) |
| Real Property Tax Exemption for 100% Service-Connected Disabled VeteransVeteran | 100% exemption of the real estate tax on the veteran's principal residence and up to one acre of land (localities may exempt additional acreage) | 100 percent service-connected, permanent, and total disability as determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (individual unemployability rated/paid at the 100 percent level qualifies under DVS guidance). · Veteran (or qualifying surviving spouse) must occupy the real property as his or her principal place of residence. | Deadline varies — confirm locally | Official source ↗Va. Code § 58.1-3219.5 (application procedures at § 58.1-3219.6); Va. Const. art. X, § 6-A(a)Affidavit or written statement filed with the local Commissioner of the Revenue (form supplied by the county, city, or town), with VA documentation of the 100% permanent and total disability rating |
| Real Property Tax Exemption for Surviving Spouses of Members of the Armed Forces Killed in Action or Who Died in the Line of DutyVeteran | Exemption of the real estate tax on the principal residence up to the average assessed value of a single-family home in the locality; value above that average remains taxable | Surviving spouse must occupy the real property as his or her principal place of residence and must not have remarried. | Deadline varies — confirm locally | Official source ↗Va. Code § 58.1-3219.9; Va. Const. art. X, § 6-A(b) |
For veterans
In most states a higher VA disability rating unlocks a larger — often total — property tax exemption.
Trusted Resources
Trusted tools to help you claim what you've earned
VA Claims Academy
A 100% VA disability rating unlocks full property tax exemptions in most states. VA Claims Academy helps veterans pursue the rating increases they may be owed.
Visit VA Claims Academy →*
* Affiliate disclosure: GovSifter may earn a commission from links above. This does not affect program listings or editorial content.
For seniors
Planning ahead protects your exemption and your home.
Trusted Resources
Trusted tools to help you claim what you've earned
CareSifter — Find trusted senior care
Property tax relief is one piece of aging in place affordably. CareSifter helps families compare in-home care, assisted living, and senior services.
Explore CareSifter →*Trust & Will — Estate planning made simple
Keeping a homestead exemption in the family often depends on how the home is titled. Trust & Will makes wills, trusts, and transfer-on-death deeds affordable and online.
Start with Trust & Will →*
* Affiliate disclosure: GovSifter may earn a commission from links above. This does not affect program listings or editorial content.
Virginia property tax relief FAQ
What property tax exemptions are available in Virginia?
Virginia offers 4 main property tax relief programs: Local-Option Real Estate Tax Relief for the Elderly and Permanently & Totally Disabled, Local-Option Real Estate Tax Deferral for the Elderly and Permanently & Totally Disabled, Real Property Tax Exemption for 100% Service-Connected Disabled Veterans, Real Property Tax Exemption for Surviving Spouses of Members of the Armed Forces Killed in Action or Who Died in the Line of Duty. Each is administered through your Commissioner of the Revenue.
How do I apply for a property tax exemption in Virginia?
You apply through your Commissioner of the Revenue — for free. Most exemptions require a one-time application by the deadline; check each program for its form and cutoff date. You never need to pay a third party to file.
Is filing for a Virginia property tax exemption free?
Yes. Filing is always free through your Commissioner of the Revenue. Letters offering to file your homestead exemption for a fee are private solicitations, not government notices.
Compare Virginia to other states by relief type
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