taxes

News

Rep. Beyer introduces bill to eliminate federal income tax for Americans earning under $46,000

By ARLnow.com
Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) speaks on the House floor, April 2024 (via Rep. Don Beyer/Twitter)

Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) today introduced legislation that would create a tiered surtax on income above $1 million and use the revenue to eliminate federal income taxes for Americans earning less than the median cost of living.

The Working Americans’ Tax Cut Act, introduced with companion legislation by Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), would apply an additional 5% tax on individual income above $1 million, an additional 10% tax above $2 million and an additional 12% tax above $5 million. Higher thresholds apply to married couples. The surtax would cover both wages and investment income.

Go to Rep. Beyer introduces bill to eliminate federal income tax for Americans earning under $46,000 Read more
News

Even more tax increases could be in Arlington’s future, county manager warns

By Scott McCaffrey
County Manager Mark Schwartz, right, listens as Homes.com's Brad Case makes a point (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

To maintain services amid falling commercial real estate values, Arlington may end up reaching even deeper into homeowners’ pockets in the years to come.

At a March 11 forum sponsored by Advance Arlington, County Manager Mark Schwartz warned of even more pressure to raise taxes on homeowners due to a drop in the assessed valuation of commercial properties.

Go to Even more tax increases could be in Arlington’s future, county manager warns Read more
News

County Board advertises 2-cent increase to real estate tax rate

By Scott McCaffrey
County Board members Susan Cunningham and Takis Karantonis (screenshot via Arlington County)

The Arlington County Board has voted to advertise a 2-cent increase to the real estate tax rate, slightly higher than the rate proposed in this year’s budget draft.

If enacted in its entirety, the jump would increase the county’s tax rate to $1.053 per $100 assessed valuation, adding a further tax burden on homeowners already facing higher assessment values.

Go to County Board advertises 2-cent increase to real estate tax rate Read more
News

Arlington homeowners could face tax hike as office values plummet 19%

By Scott McCaffrey
Rosslyn skyline, with Tysons in the background (Flickr pool photo by Kevin Wolf)

Another major decline in office-building values is likely to put pressure on county leaders to raise tax rates on homeowners already facing higher bills due to increasing assessments.

The overall assessed value of existing office buildings fell 19% year over year, county officials said in announcing 2026 assessments on Jan. 16.

Go to Arlington homeowners could face tax hike as office values plummet 19% Read more
News

County Board joins push for $460M more funding for Metro each year

By Scott McCaffrey
Clarendon Metro station (staff photo)

The Arlington County Board is throwing its weight behind a region-wide proposal to provide more funding for Metro.

County Board members on Tuesday voted unanimously to encourage General Assembly action on the regional DMV Moves plan for sustained increases in transit funds.

Go to County Board joins push for $460M more funding for Metro each year Read more
News

Arlington faces $13M shortfall from low consumer spending and real estate revenue

By Scott McCaffrey
Arlington County Manager Mark Schwartz (via Arlington County/YouTube)

Arlington County’s tax revenue was millions of dollars short of what was expected in the first months of this fiscal year, resulting in cutbacks on some expenditures.

County revenue from real estate taxes and taxes on public consumption — like sales, meals and lodging taxes — was $13 million behind projections during the first four months of the fiscal year that began July 1, County Manager Mark Schwartz said in a County Board briefing yesterday (Tuesday).

Go to Arlington faces $13M shortfall from low consumer spending and real estate revenue Read more
News

Tax relief for Falls Church homeowners remains undetermined in coming year

By Scott McCaffrey
Falls Church Mayor Letty Hardi and Vice Mayor Debora Schantz-Hiscott (screenshot via City of Falls Church)

Falls Church homeowners may or may not see a dip in real estate taxes next year as property assessments continue to rise.

At a Dec. 3 planning session of City Council members, there was general consensus around the desire to lower the current tax rate to offset expected higher home-assessment values. But doing so was left as a goal, rather than made a requirement, as city staff begins developing the fiscal year 2027 budget.

Go to Tax relief for Falls Church homeowners remains undetermined in coming year Read more
News

Decline in visitors at Arlington hotels raises concerns for local economy

By Scott McCaffrey
Street view of the new Hilton hotel in Rosslyn (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A drop in occupancy rates at Arlington hotels is raising concerns about how long a rebound might take and the ripple effects it will have across the county’s overall economy.

Vacancy rates are “the biggest challenge” among local economic indicators at the moment, said Kate Ange, acting director of Arlington Economic Development.

Go to Decline in visitors at Arlington hotels raises concerns for local economy Read more
News

Arlington treasurer’s office plans new tools and more staff to cut growing delinquency rate

By Scott McCaffrey
Arlington Treasurer Carla de la Pava (via Arlington County/YouTube)

The Arlington treasurer’s office is seeking to curb a growing rate of tax delinquency with new tools and additional personnel.

The addition of QR codes on delinquency letters, in combination with the hiring of two new collection employees, leaves Chief Deputy Treasurer Kim Rucker optimistic about the possibility of lowering the delinquency rate despite challenging economic times.

Go to Arlington treasurer’s office plans new tools and more staff to cut growing delinquency rate Read more
News

Karantonis endorses $460M in annual Metro funding, but says the region needs more

By Scott McCaffrey
The Pentagon City Metro station (staff photo by Jared Serre)

Officials from Arlington and Falls Church have endorsed a regional plan to support the Metro system with $460 million per year.

County Board Chair Takis Karantonis and Falls Church City Council member David Snyder were part of the 22-0 vote, with two abstentions, as the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) board of directors backed the funding plan laid out in late October by the DMV Task Force.

Go to Karantonis endorses $460M in annual Metro funding, but says the region needs more Read more
News

Falls Church leaders consider new tax surcharge on business real estate

By Scott McCaffrey
Falls Church City Manager Wyatt Shields (screenshot via City of Falls Church)

Falls Church leaders have begun talks on a possible tax surcharge on commercial property to fund transportation improvements.

If it’s enacted, owners of non-residential parcels in the city could pay an additional rate of up to 12.5 cents per $100 assessed value each year, similar to surcharges in neighboring Arlington and Fairfax counties.

Go to Falls Church leaders consider new tax surcharge on business real estate Read more
News

County Board meetings will spotlight public safety staffing, governance panel and budget closeout

By Scott McCaffrey
Current County Board Chair Takis Karantonis (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

The Arlington County Board is scheduled to take up numerous items this month, including the financial impact of new public safety contracts, a proposed office-to-residential conversion project and closing out the fiscal year 2025 budget.

Potentially the most controversial item on the agenda could come during the Tuesday, Nov. 18 recess meeting, when Board members decide whether to move forward with a working group to consider changes to Arlington’s 93-year-old governance structure.

Go to County Board meetings will spotlight public safety staffing, governance panel and budget closeout Read more
View More Stories