Are you worried that Fairfax County’s new assessment could derail your McLean home sale or your bottom line at closing? You are not alone. When and how you list can shape buyer perception, tax prorations, and your net proceeds. This guide breaks down the county’s assessment calendar, what it really means for your sale, and smart timing strategies that fit the McLean market. Let’s dive in.
Fairfax assessment calendar at a glance
Fairfax sets real estate assessments as of January 1 each tax year. That date controls the value on the county roll for the entire year, even if you sell later in the calendar year. You can review the county’s assessment basics on the Real Estate Assessments page. See Fairfax County’s overview.
In a typical year, assessment notices arrive in mid to late February. For 2025, notices were mailed on February 18, and the county reported an average residential assessment increase of 6.65 percent. The estimate shown on the notice uses last year’s tax rate until the Board adopts the new rate. Read the 2025 assessment update.
If you disagree with your assessment, you can file an administrative appeal with the Department of Tax Administration by the early April deadline, then a Board of Equalization (BOE) appeal by early June if needed. Administrative appeals are handled by DTA staff. BOE appeals are formal hearings. Understand DTA appeals and BOE procedures.
Fairfax issues real estate tax bills in two installments. The first bill is mailed by about June 30 and due July 28. The second is mailed by November 5 and due December 5. Review Fairfax billing timing.
What this means when you sell in McLean
Assessment vs. sale price
The county’s assessed value is an estimate of fair market value as of January 1. It is not a listing strategy or a sale price. Use current comps and market conditions to set your list price, then be ready to explain the assessment if buyers ask. See Fairfax assessment basics.
January 1 controls the year
Whether you close in March or October, the year’s assessment is effective as of January 1. That value applies to tax calculations for the year unless an appeal changes it. Buyers often check the public record, so clarity helps. Learn how assessments are set.
How tax prorations work at closing
In Northern Virginia, taxes are commonly prorated between buyer and seller using the most recent bill or the prior year’s bill if the current bill is not available yet. Title companies often re-prorate after the actual bill issues. Expect a credit or debit on your settlement statement. See a title company proration explainer.
Supplemental assessments after a sale
Some jurisdictions issue supplemental assessments after a transfer or new construction. If a supplemental bill arrives after closing, responsibility can depend on your contract and local practice. Consider holdbacks or clear contract language that assigns who pays what. For background on supplemental assessments, review this general guide and confirm Fairfax specifics with your title company. What a supplemental assessment is.
Timing strategies that work in McLean
List before notices are mailed (January to early February)
- Potential upside: Buyers have not seen a new assessment that might show an increase. Your marketing stays focused on current comps and property features.
- Tradeoffs: The Jan 1 value already applies. If you plan to appeal, your result may not be available during buyer due diligence. Assessment basics.
List after notices, with or without an appeal (February to June)
- Potential upside: If you disagree with a large increase, file a DTA administrative appeal promptly. A decision before you go under contract can reduce questions and future reprorations. How administrative appeals work.
- Tradeoffs: Appeals are not guaranteed. If an appeal is pending at closing, many contracts transfer it to the buyer and require reproration later. About BOE appeals and timelines.
List after appeals conclude (post June)
- Potential upside: Certainty. With your appeal resolved, you can address any tax refunds or liabilities before closing and avoid later reprorations.
- Tradeoffs: Waiting may compress your selling window and is not always necessary if demand is strong. Appeal process overview.
How to prepare and protect yourself
Use this simple checklist to avoid surprises:
- Confirm who pays your taxes now. If you escrow with your mortgage servicer, note that on your listing info sheet and share your assessment notice with your advisor. See 2025 assessment notice details.
- Ask your title company how they calculate prorations if the current year bill is not out yet. Confirm if they re-prorate after the actual bill is issued. Sample proration clause concepts.
- If you plan to appeal, schedule a DTA appointment early and gather comps, photos, and permits. Track deadlines closely. DTA appeal guidance.
- Address supplemental bill risk in the contract. Consider a targeted escrow holdback or clear allocation language for any post-closing bill. Supplemental assessment background.
- Keep county contacts handy for current-year dates or questions. Fairfax DTA contact page.
Quick 2025 timeline snapshot
- Jan 1: Assessment effective date for the tax year.
- Mid February: Assessment notices mailed; 2025 saw a 6.65 percent average increase countywide. Read the county update.
- Early April: DTA administrative appeal deadline. Appeal details.
- Early June: BOE filing deadline if you continue the appeal. BOE process.
- Late June and early November: Tax bills mailed; due late July and early December. Billing schedule reference.
The bottom line for McLean sellers
Lead with market timing. In McLean’s often low-inventory environment, list when demand for your price point is strongest. Use the assessment calendar as a supporting factor. If your notice shows a meaningful increase and you disagree, file your DTA appeal early, disclose the status to buyers, and use clean contract language for tax reproration and supplemental bills. That keeps your deal smooth and your net proceeds predictable.
If you want a tailored timing plan for your property, connect with a local advisor who blends neighborhood-level expertise with meticulous transaction management. Reach out to Lindene Elise Patton to map your best window, prep your appeal, and streamline your closing.
FAQs
In Fairfax County, if I sell my McLean home in March, which year’s assessment applies?
- The assessment effective as of January 1 controls for that tax year, so the same-year assessment still applies even if you sell later in the year. County overview.
For a McLean home sale, how are Fairfax property taxes prorated at closing?
- Title companies typically prorate using the latest bill or the prior year’s bill if the current one is not out yet, with a re-proration after the actual bill issues. Proration explainer.
In Fairfax County, can I keep my assessment appeal if I sell my McLean home?
- Many contracts transfer pending appeals to the buyer at closing unless you agree otherwise in writing, so address this in your contract early. DTA appeal guidance.
For a McLean sale, what if a supplemental tax bill arrives after closing?
- Responsibility can depend on your contract and local practice, so many sellers negotiate holdbacks or clear allocation language to cover post-closing bills. Supplemental overview.
Does a higher Fairfax assessment change my listing price in McLean?
- Not directly. Assessments reflect value as of January 1 and can shape perception, but your list price should rely on current comps, demand, and property condition. Assessment basics.
