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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Nelson County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in Nelson 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
$0.65 per $100 of assessed value for real estate (FY 2025), may vary by special taxing districts
Exemptions
4+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Nelson County, Virginia operates on a property tax system that serves as the primary funding source for essential county services including public schools, emergency services, infrastructure maintenance, and local government operations. Property owners pay taxes based on the assessed value of their real estate and personal property, with different tax rates applied to each category.

The county's real estate tax rate for FY 2025 is $0.65 per $100 of assessed value, making it relatively affordable compared to many Virginia localities. However, actual tax bills may vary depending on your location within the county due to special taxing districts or additional assessments that may apply to specific areas. Property assessments in Nelson County are conducted on a regular cycle, with the county reassessing properties to reflect current market conditions and ensure equitable taxation across all property owners.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

Tax ComponentRate per $100Description
Real Estate Tax$0.65Primary tax on land and buildings (FY 2025)
Personal Property Tax$2.79Tax on vehicles, boats, and other personal property
Machinery & Tools Tax$1.25Tax on business equipment and machinery

Note: These rates are for FY 2025 and may vary by specific location within Nelson County due to special taxing districts. Contact the Nelson County Commissioner of Revenue for district-specific rates that may apply to your property.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

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

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 in Nelson County are additional property tax assessments that occur when there are changes to property ownership, improvements, or new construction outside the regular assessment cycle. These taxes are calculated based on the difference between the old and new assessed values, prorated for the remaining portion of the tax year.

Common triggers for supplemental taxes include property sales that result in reassessment, completion of new construction or major renovations, and corrections to previous assessments. For example, if you complete a home addition valued at $50,000 in March, you would receive a supplemental tax bill for the remaining 9 months of the fiscal year calculated at $0.65 per $100 of the $50,000 increase, resulting in approximately $244 in additional taxes for that year.

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Home

  • Assessed Value: $300,000
  • Less: Elderly/Disabled Exemption (if qualified): $0 (requires application)
  • Net Taxable Value: $300,000
  • Annual Tax: $300,000 ÷ 100 × $0.65 = $1,950
  • Monthly Escrow: $162.50

Example 2: $600,000 Home

  • Assessed Value: $600,000
  • Less: Available tax credits (if applied): $0
  • Net Taxable Value: $600,000
  • Annual Tax: $600,000 ÷ 100 × $0.65 = $3,900
  • Monthly Escrow: $325.00

Example 3: $1,000,000 Home

  • Assessed Value: $1,000,000
  • Less: Applied tax credits: $0
  • Net Taxable Value: $1,000,000
  • Annual Tax: $1,000,000 ÷ 100 × $0.65 = $6,500
  • Monthly Escrow: $541.67

Note: Tax credits require separate applications and are not automatically applied. Contact the Commissioner of Revenue for available programs.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders require property tax escrow accounts for Nelson County properties. Your lender collects monthly property tax payments along with your mortgage payment and holds these funds in escrow until taxes are due. The escrow payment is calculated by dividing your annual property tax bill by 12 months, often with an additional cushion as required by federal regulations.

Property tax bills in Nelson County are mailed October 1st with payment due December 5th for real estate taxes. Your lender will receive a copy of the tax bill and make payment directly to the county. It's important to verify that your lender has the correct mailing address and tax map number to ensure timely payment. You can verify payments were made by checking with the Nelson County Treasurer's office or monitoring your escrow account statements.

How HonestCasa Helps
  • Understand whether your escrow is set correctly
  • See how rising taxes will change your monthly payment
  • Plan ahead instead of being surprised by "shortage" letters
Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are Nelson County property taxes due for FY 2025? A: Real estate taxes are due December 5th annually, with bills mailed October 1st. Personal property taxes are due January 15th.

Q: What tax credits are available and how do I apply? A: Nelson County offers tax credits for elderly and disabled persons. These require a separate application filed with the Commissioner of Revenue at PO Box 246, Lovingston, VA 22949. Credits are not automatic and must be applied for annually.

Q: How does the elderly/disabled tax credit work? A: This is a tax credit that reduces your actual tax bill (not your assessed value) for qualified applicants. You must meet specific age, income, and disability requirements and file an application by the deadline.

Q: How often are properties reassessed in Nelson County? A: The county conducts periodic reassessments to maintain current market values. Property owners receive notice of assessment changes and have appeal rights through the Board of Equalization.

Q: What are the penalties for late property tax payments? A: Late payments incur penalties and interest. Contact the Treasurer's office at the time of payment for current penalty rates and payment options.

Q: Can I pay my property taxes online? A: Yes, Nelson County offers online payment options for both real estate and personal property taxes. You'll need your bill number, tax map number, and a credit card for payment.

Q: Are there special district taxes in addition to county taxes? A: Some areas of Nelson County may have additional special district assessments. Check with the Commissioner of Revenue to determine if your property is located in a special taxing district.

Q: How do I appeal my property assessment? A: Assessment appeals are handled through the Board of Equalization. Contact the Commissioner of Revenue's office for appeal procedures and deadlines, which typically follow the reassessment notice period.

Verified Sources

Backed by 10 Official Government Sources

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

01
County
FY26 Revenues – Introduced Budget 3/18/25 - Nelson Countynelsoncounty-va.gov
02
County
March-18-2025-BOS-Packet.pdf - Nelson Countynelsoncounty-va.gov
03
County
Personal Property Taxes – Nelson County Virginianelsoncounty-va.gov
04
County
Tax Rates – Nelson County Virginianelsoncounty-va.gov
05
Tax Doc
V. ESTABLISHMENT OF 2024 PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX ...nelsoncounty-va.gov
06
County
Land Use Application - Nelson Countynelsoncounty-va.gov
07
State
APPLICATION FOR REAL ESTATE EXEMPTIONnelsoncounty-va.gov
08
County
Documents & Forms – Nelson County Virginianelsoncounty-va.gov
09
County
Commissioner of Revenue – Nelson County Virginianelsoncounty-va.gov
10
County
News & Announcements – Nelson County Virginianelsoncounty-va.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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