When buying a house, the first thing to check is the property tax rate. Centreville falls under Fairfax County, so it follows the county's tax rate.

As of FY 2026 (the second half of 2025 to the first half of 2026), the real estate tax rate in Fairfax County is $1.1225 per $100 of assessed value.

This is a slight decrease from the previous year.

To calculate, if the assessed value of a house in Centreville is $600,000, the annual property tax would be 600,000 divided by 100 times 1.1225 = $6,735. Fairfax County bills this amount twice a year. The payment deadlines are July 28 and December 5. It's advisable to mark these dates on your calendar to avoid interest on late payments.

The property tax also includes the operating budget for Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS).

There is no separate school levy, and the school budget is managed within the property tax. In FY 2026, Fairfax County allocated $2.93 billion from the General Fund to FCPS. This is an increase of $119 million from the previous year, but it falls short of the $268 million increase requested by FCPS.

The funding gap issue for the school budget remains an ongoing concern.

Starting in FY 2026, a 4% meals tax has also been introduced. This tax, effective January 1, 2026, is applied to restaurant food and is expected to generate about $67.9 million annually (based on the last six months) for county finances. This shows a gradual diversification from relying solely on property tax to cover all expenses.

From the perspective of Centreville residents, the high quality of Fairfax County public schools makes this tax rate feel justified. FCPS is consistently ranked among the top school districts nationwide, which directly impacts property values and quality of life in the area.

The structure of receiving value in return for the taxes paid is one of the solid foundations of living in Centreville.