Effective March 31, 2025, the use of solid waste decals will be discontinued. The Tax Administration will cease the issuance of these decals as of March 14th.
Effective March 31, 2025, the use of solid waste decals will be discontinued. The Tax Administration will cease the issuance of these decals as of March 14th.
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Taxpayer Services Frequently Asked Questions
I am moving, what do I do?
Expand all- Who do I need to contact when I move?
- Personal Property: Within 30 days of your move, you need to notify the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) of your change in address and then contact Prince William County Tax Administration so that your accounts can be updated. You can contact the County either online at https://tax.pwcgov.org, by email at [email protected], or by phone at 703-792-6710.
- Real Estate: Contact us of any change in mailing address to ensure correspondence is mailed to the correct address. If you have paid off your mortgage, you must notify the county so your bills can be sent to the correct address.
- Does the DMV let the County know that I have moved or changed my address?
- We do not always receive notification from DMV. You need to first notify the Virginia DMV of your change in address and then contact Prince William County Tax Administration so that your accounts can be updated. It is the responsibility of the taxpayer to notify the DMV and the County within 30 days after your move.
- Contacting the County can be done either online through our Taxpayer Portal, by email at [email protected], or by phone at 703-792-6710.
- How do I change my address?
For a change of address links to various government agencies that you may use, please visit https://www.usa.gov/
Contact DMV at https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/#/ to update your address and garage jurisdiction (if changed).
Contact the County once you have updated DMV. This can be done through your portal account online at https://tax.pwcgov.org, by email at [email protected], or by phone at 703-792-6710
- What are the steps to move a vehicle in or out of PWC?
Moving a vehicle into Prince William County:
From another Virginia jurisdiction, please report your change of address to the Virginia DMV or call at 804-497-7100. Contact the county that you moved from and then call Prince William County Tax Administration at 703-792-6710. Contact each county within 30 days of moving to avoid continued assessment in the county you are no longer living in and to be assessed accordingly by Prince William County.
From another state, please register your vehicle and change of address with the Virginia DMV or call at 804-497-7100, then call the County at 703-792-6710. Contact the County within 30 days of moving to avoid assessment of a late filing penalty and to ensure correct assessment of your vehicle.
Moving a vehicle OUT of Prince William County to another jurisdiction or out of Virginia. You must register the vehicle with the state and or municipality to which the vehicle is moved. Failure to update the registration will result in continued personal property tax liability with Prince William County. It is recommended that the move be reported to both the County and to the Virginia DMV. The Virginia Code Section 58.1-3511 - "the situs (meaning tax liability) for vehicles registered in Virginia, but normally garaged, docked, or parked in another state shall be the locality in Virginia where registered."
If you have questions or concerns, please contact Taxpayer Services at 703-792-6710 or email to [email protected].
- What documentation is needed to support adjusting my account if requested?
Bill of Lading: To be used only for vehicles shipped OCONUS (outside of the US/overseas). Must include the VIN number, vehicle description, owner’s information, ship from & to destinations, signature, and date.
Bill of Sale: Must include the VIN number, vehicle description, and be signed, and dated by all parties. If using a handwritten document, the sale date must be within 30 days of the change/disposal date in DMV.
Signature Transfer of title
Donation receipt: Must include date of donation, VIN number and signature.
Stolen Vehicle: Police report with one of the following three items listed: DMV plate deactivation, modification letter from insurance, or Total Loss Letter.
DMV: We will review the information in DMV.
- Disposal date or move date.
- Change date if 30-day difference from disposal or move date.
Moved out of the state of VA:
- Out of state registration.
- VA DMV proof of surrender of plate (deactivation of plates). Verification through Virginia DMV or receipt of plates being returned must include VIN #, and vehicle description.
Vehicle is a total loss: Total loss statement from insurance company (must include VIN #, vehicle description, and date of total loss.
Leased vehicles: All supporting documentation listed below must include VIN #, vehicle description, date of return of vehicle/sale of vehicle, and signed by both parties.
- End of lease agreement: Signed and dated by leasing company and lesser
- Odometer statement
- Proof of sale/purchase
How do I make a payment without creating a portal account? Where do I make my tax payment?
Expand all- To make a payment without a portal account.
If you do not want to create an account or wish to do so later, you can make a Quick Payment. You will be redirected to make a payment online with the payment method you have chosen. https://tax.pwcgov.org/
- Telephone Payments: Note additional fee applies
Telephone Payments: Note additional fee applies, can be made by telephone using a credit or debit card. Get started by dialing 1-888-2PAY TAX (1-888-272-9829). Follow the instructions on the telephone. Prince William County residents can enter Jurisdiction code 1036 when prompted.
Pagos telefónicos con tarjeta de crédito | se aplica una tarifa adicional - lista de tarifas
Para pagar por telefono, por favor llame al 1-833-856-0247 / Presione dos para Español.
- Pay by Mail
Pay by Mail: Please make your check or money order payable to "Prince William County". The directions on most tax bills direct you to return payment to PO Box 70519, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19176-0519. This address is a mail collection point for our bank for remittance processing. The County uses a remittance processor to ensure that transactions are accurately captured and posted.
Payments can be sent by express or overnight mail, package delivery, and mail that require a receipt signature mail to:
Prince William County
Taxpayer Services (1st FL)
1 County Complex CourtRoom 120/MC-420
Woodbridge, VA 22192-9201 - Pay in person at a county location
To make a payment in person, please visit our Contact Us page for office locations, hours of operation, and directions to one of our two Taxpayer Services locations. Payments options include cash, money order, check, pin-debit card, and credit card payments with a convenience fee.
Drop Box 24-hour: Make a payment 24 hours a day, seven days a week at a depository box located near the main entrance of any Taxpayer Services location. Drop off payment options include check and money order. Checks are to be made payable to: "Prince William County" or "PWC" to ensure payment is properly processed. Please enclose your bill stub, account number, or other description of the bill to which payment is to be credited.
Drop Box Locations:
James J. McCoart Administration Building
1 County Complex Court, Prince William, VA 22192
(near the intersection of Prince William Parkway and Hoadly Road)
5 County Complex Court, Prince William, VA 22192
(near the intersection of Prince William Parkway and Hoadly Road)
Sudley North Government Center
7987 Ashton Avenue, Manassas, VA 20109
(near the Bull Run Regional Library)
Miscellaneous Questions
Expand all- What is the $33.00 fee? Is it a late fee?
Annually, PWC assesses a vehicle registration fee (also known as a license fee) on all vehicles principally housed, parked, or garaged in Prince William County. The vehicle registration/license fee is $33 for autos/trucks and $20 for motorcycles.
- Can I make monthly payments on Personal Property or Real Estate?
Yes. You can make prepayments up until the bills are generated and then make regular payments towards the remaining balance due. For real estate, you will need to link the account to your personal property account by calling 703-792-6710 or emailing [email protected]. You can then make online prepayments at https://tax.pwcgov.org/; when prompted to put in the amount to pay, click on the box below the amount to pay to set the payment as a pre-payment.
You can mail payments to us. Note on the check the account number and that it is a prepayment, or it may be returned to you if there is nothing due at that time. For more information visit:
https://www.pwcva.gov/department/tax-administration/tax-payments
- If I have a Lease car/truck, who do I pay?
Personal Property Taxes are normally paid by the leasing company. You will need to verify if they are paying the taxes for you with your leasing company. Your leasing company will then bill you for the taxes they paid.
I have been contacted by Vehicle Compliance (Tax Evasion)
Expand all- Why am I receiving a $350 fee on my bill?
A $100 License Plate Tax is assessed on your bill if your vehicle was not properly registered within 30 days of move in or purchase with the Virginia DMV. A penalty of $250 is also assessed which brings the total to $350, which is a yearly fee that will be assessed if your vehicle is still not registered by January 1st of the calendar year. You are also required to register your vehicle in your local jurisdiction within 60 days. You should register with both the state and county.
- Who reported my vehicle?
All reports are confidential; therefore, we are unable to disclose that information.
- I’m not a resident of Virginia so why am I receiving a bill?
Anyone can receive a tax bill from any county if your vehicle has been garaged in the Commonwealth or PWC for the past 30 days. There are some exemptions that may or may not apply to you.
I am delinquent on paying my county taxes! Now what?
Expand all- Can I set up a payment plan?
A payment plan is optional for (1) prepayment plan the taxpayer can set up through the portal for payment in full by an upcoming due date; or (2) delinquent payment plan set up by a collector and may include one or more delinquent accounts by calling 703-792-6710 Option 3. It cannot include a mixture of past-due and not-yet-due account balances. All payment plans must be kept current and bring the balance out of delinquency prior to the next due date. Actions such as DMV Stop and Debt Set-Off Claims remain active and will be released only when the delinquent balance is paid in full. Taxpayers must pay upcoming (future) bills when due and in addition to the payments due under any payment plan. Any defaulted payment results in a canceled payment plan, and enforcement actions will proceed.
- Can I change the payment plan installment date the same day as the deduction?
No. Changes to the payment plan date need to be processed at least 48 hours before the next installment date. Call 703-792-6710 Option 3 to make changes. Please do not email us as the email may not be processed in time to stop the payment from being taken out of your bank.
- Can a payment plan be set up when there is an active lien?
Bank liens?
No. A payment plan cannot be set up. You may call 703-792-6710 Option 3 for Enforcement if you have further questions.
Employer liens?
No. A payment plan cannot be set up. You can call 703-792-6710 Option 3 for Enforcement if you have further questions
- What kind of collection actions will be taken if my account is delinquent?
Delinquent Notice.
Final Notice.
Salary Lien.
Bank Lien.
Debt-Set Off Program.
DMV Registration Withholding.
Judgments.
Judicial Tax Sales (real estate)
- What is a DMV Stop? Does that mean my license is suspended or my current valid plates are suspended?
DMV Stop:
The DMV Stop prevents taxpayers from renewing, adding, or changing vehicle registrations with DMV until the taxes are paid in full. When paid, the DMV Stop is lifted, and taxpayers may contact Taxpayer Services at [email protected] or by calling 703-792-6710 to ensure the DMV Stop has been removed so registration renewal can take place.
- If I'm a cosigner for someone plus have my own account and the co-owner has not paid on the joint account and my account is paid in full, why can't I get my DMV stop removed?
As a cosigner you are responsible for the payment of taxes as the person for which you cosigned. If they do not pay, joint account collection actions are done on each person on the account to get the bill paid.
- When does the DMV stop get put on?
A DMV Stop is placed on a delinquent account 30 days after the delinquent notice has been sent out.
- Will a payment plan release the DMV stop on the vehicles?
No. The delinquent tax account needs to be satisfied to release the DMV stop.
- How can I have my DMV stop lifted after my state refund is withheld?
If the amount withheld by the state pays the balance owed, we will need the taxpayer’s permission to finalize the claim amount and the DMV hold will be removed.
If the amount held by the state does not cover the balance owed, payment of the difference will need to be received and authorization to finalize the claim by the taxpayer. The DMV hold will then be removed.
Why is my state tax refund being withheld?
Expand all- Debt Set-Off (DSO)
Debt Set-Off (DSO) is a program connected with the Department of Taxation, Commonwealth of Virginia, which allows for funds to be held from either the State Income Tax Return refund or from Virginia lottery winnings on behalf of State and Local Government agencies. Va. Code §§ 58.1-520 through 58.1-535, and §§ 58.1-4000 through 58.1-4029.
New requests/claims are submitted annually to the State of Virginia and can draw from any VA State tax refund or lottery winnings available to the taxpayer that calendar year. The State of Virginia charges a 4% administrative fee on each claim, and Prince William County will add an additional $25.00 Debt Set-Off Fee at the time a DSO claim is finalized. The State deducts their fee prior to sending the payment to the County.
The debt-set off will be finalized after 30 days of a match. However, this may not be enough to cover the outstanding amount due. Please contact us to find out if there will be a balance due. You can email [email protected] or call 703-792-6710. Please have your account number ready to be provided to the Taxpayer Services Specialist.
Joint account: Taxpayers filing jointly will have the available refund held to pay for the delinquent tax account of the registered taxpayer with the balance in PWC.
The State of Virginia is holding my state refund and I have a payment plan set up with PWC, will I get my refund back?
It can take several months for the State to send the tax refund payment to PWC. The payment plan set up with PWC continues until the tax account is paid in full. Any overpayments received from the State refund will be returned to the taxpayer.
Business Questions?
Expand all- Food and Beverage, how do I amend my return?
To amend your return, please complete the Food and Beverage application, write Amended on the top, make sure your account number is listed and submit it to our office by emailing [email protected].
- What do I need to do to close my Business?
To close your business, we must receive notification in writing signed by the owner, or an officer listed with our office.
Business License and/or Business Tangible Property Tax – Any business operating in Prince William County that has stopped operations permanently, or moved out of PWC to a different jurisdiction, must complete and submit a Business Closure Form for each location. Once completed, please send the closure form via email to [email protected].
**If closing operations permanently and dissolving the business, you must dissolve your fictitious/trade name by contacting the Circuit Court Clerk's Office and/or the State Corporation Commission.
- Do I need to fill out a Business License Application even if I don’t make over the gross receipts’ threshold of $500,000.00?
No. We encourage all businesses to apply for a Business License even if gross receipts are under the threshold. All businesses are required to file Business Tangible Property Tax.