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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Covington County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in Covington County, VA. Rates, due dates, exemptions, and how it affects your monthly payment.

10 Official Sources
8 min read
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Quick Facts
Tax Rate
$0.57 per $100 assessed value (varies by special taxing districts)
1st Due
Dec 5
Exemptions
4+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Covington County, Virginia operates a property tax system that serves as a primary funding source for essential local services including schools, public safety, infrastructure maintenance, and county operations. Property taxes in Covington County are assessed based on the fair market value of real estate and are collected annually to support these vital community services.

The effective property tax rate varies by location within Covington County due to special taxing districts and additional assessments that may apply to specific areas. Property owners should verify which districts apply to their property, as rates can differ significantly based on school district boundaries, fire protection districts, and other special service areas. The county reassesses properties periodically to ensure assessments reflect current market conditions, and property owners have appeal rights if they believe their assessment is incorrect.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRate (per $100)Description
Base County Levy$0.49General county operations and services
School DistrictVariesAdditional levy varies by school district
Fire ProtectionVariesFire and emergency services (district-specific)
Special AssessmentsVariesInfrastructure improvements, bonds

Note: These rates apply to Tax Year 2025. The base county rate of $0.49 per $100 of assessed value is set by the Covington County Board of Supervisors. Additional rates for special taxing districts vary by location within the county. Property owners should contact the county assessor to determine the total rate applicable to their specific property location.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Covington County, property taxes are due in two installments:

First Installment
Dec 5
Delinquent after Dec 10
Pro tip: If you pay through mortgage escrow, your lender splits these payments across your monthly mortgage. If you pay directly, set calendar reminders to avoid late penalties.
Section 4

Supplemental Tax Bills

Supplemental taxes are additional property tax bills issued when there are changes in property ownership, new construction, or improvements that increase a property's assessed value during the tax year. These taxes cover the difference between what was originally assessed and the new assessed value, prorated for the remaining months in the tax year.

Common triggers for supplemental taxes include: property sales that result in reassessment to current market value, completion of new construction or major renovations, subdivision of land, or removal of exemptions. For example, if a property sells in July and the new assessment is $50,000 higher than the previous assessment, the new owner would receive a supplemental tax bill for the increased amount covering July through the end of the tax year (typically February). The calculation would be: ($50,000 ÷ 100) × $0.49 × (8 months ÷ 12 months) = $163.33.

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Home

  • Assessed Value: $300,000
  • Less: Homestead Credit (if applied): -$0 (limits future increases only)
  • Net Taxable Value: $300,000
  • Annual Tax: ($300,000 ÷ 100) × $0.49 = $1,470
  • Monthly Payment: $122.50

Example 2: $600,000 Home with Senior Credit

  • Assessed Value: $600,000
  • Less: Senior Tax Credit (if qualified and applied): -$500
  • Net Tax After Credits: (($600,000 ÷ 100) × $0.49) - $500 = $2,440
  • Monthly Payment: $203.33

Example 3: $1,000,000 Home

  • Assessed Value: $1,000,000
  • Less: Applied Credits: Varies by qualification
  • Net Taxable Value: $1,000,000
  • Annual Tax: ($1,000,000 ÷ 100) × $0.49 = $4,900
  • Monthly Payment: $408.33

Note: All tax credits require application and approval. Actual rates may be higher due to special district assessments.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders require property tax escrow accounts for Covington County properties, collecting monthly payments along with principal and interest to ensure timely tax payment. Lenders typically collect 1/12th of the estimated annual property tax bill each month, plus additional amounts to maintain a required cushion in the escrow account.

Property tax payments in Covington County are due December 5th for personal property taxes and February 6th for real estate taxes. Lenders monitor these due dates and pay directly from escrow accounts. Property owners should verify their lender has current tax bill information and sufficient escrow funds, as any shortfall becomes the owner's responsibility. Annual escrow analysis statements show if adjustments to monthly payments are needed based on actual tax bills and account balance requirements.

How HonestCasa Helps
  • Understand whether your escrow is set correctly
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Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are Covington County property taxes due for Tax Year 2025? A: Personal property taxes are due December 5th, and real estate taxes are due February 6th.

Q: What tax credits are available and do they apply automatically? A: Available tax credits include homestead exemption, senior citizen credit (age 65+ with income limits), and 100% disability credit. All credits require annual application and are NOT automatic.

Q: How does the homestead credit work? A: The homestead credit caps annual assessment increases rather than reducing current assessed value. You must apply annually to maintain this benefit - it limits how much your assessment can increase year-over-year.

Q: When must I apply for tax credits? A: Applications for tax credits must typically be filed by December 31st for the following tax year. Contact the county assessor for specific deadlines and required documentation.

Q: How often does Covington County reassess properties? A: Virginia law requires periodic reassessment. Check with the county assessor for the current reassessment schedule and appeal deadlines if you disagree with your assessment.

Q: What are the penalties for late payment? A: Late payments incur interest and penalty charges. Contact the county treasurer for current penalty rates and payment options.

Q: Can I pay property taxes online? A: Check the Covington County website or contact the treasurer's office for available online payment options and accepted payment methods.

Q: How do special district taxes affect my bill? A: Special districts for schools, fire protection, or infrastructure improvements add to your base county rate. Your total rate depends on which districts serve your property location.

Verified Sources

Backed by 10 Official Government Sources

Every fact in this guide is sourced from official county, state, and federal documents.

01
County
Tax Rates for County, City, Town, and Districts. TY 2024tax.virginia.gov
02
County
Tax Rates for County, City, Town, and Districts. TY 2023tax.virginia.gov
03
Tax Doc
VAST01124888 - Virginia Taxtax.virginia.gov
04
State
Supplemental Real Estate, Personal Property Tax Deadline is ...sheriff.loudoun.gov
05
County
Due Dates | Alleghany County, Virginiaco.alleghany.va.us
06
Tax Doc
Personal Property Tax Relief Payment Schedulefinance.virginia.gov
07
County
COVINGTON COUNTY REVENUE COMMISSIONER'S ...covingtoncountyal.gov
08
Tax Doc
Property Tax Exemptionscovingtoncountyal.gov
09
State
Application for Real Estate Tax Exemptionco.alleghany.va.us
10
State
2013 annual report - real estate assessments officepwcva.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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