Every layer that applies to a Fairfax City sale, added up.
Verified September 21, 2026 · city ordinance and state source checked
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Who pays in Fairfax City
Split. The buyer pays the recordation taxes, the seller pays the grantor tax and both regional fees.
What catches people out
Northern Virginia pays two regional fees that no other part of the state pays, both charged to the seller. They apply in every locality that belongs to the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority. The combined rate here is about 0.63 percent against roughly 0.43 percent elsewhere in Virginia.
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Sources
Va. Code § 58.1-801 “The rate of the tax shall be 25 cents on every $100 or fraction thereof of (i) the consideration of the deed or (ii) the actual value of the property conveyed, whichever is greater.”
Va. Code § 58.1-802 “shall be 50 cents for each $500 or fraction thereof ... The tax imposed by this section shall be paid by the grantor”
Va. Code § 58.1-802.3 “a fee, delineated as the "regional WMATA capital fee," is hereby imposed ... located in any county or city that is a member of the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority ... shall be $0.10 for each $100 or fraction thereof”
Va. Code § 58.1-802.4 “The rate of the fee ... shall be $0.10 for each $100 or fraction thereof”
Va. Code § 58.1-814 “may ... impose a city or county recordation tax in an amount equal to one-third of the amount of state recordation tax.”