Manassas, Manassas Park and Prince William County use different tax relief and vehicle fees, changing what residents ultimately pay
2-Minute Brief
WHEN: Vehicle personal property taxes are due Monday, Oct. 5 in the City of Manassas, City of Manassas Park and Prince William County.
THE EXAMPLE: For the same qualifying vehicle assessed at $20,000, the 2026 bill would be $473.83 in Manassas, $520 in Manassas Park and $474 in Prince William County.
WHY THEY DIFFER: Each jurisdiction has its own tax rate and receives a different percentage of Virginia car-tax relief. Manassas Park and Prince William County also charge annual vehicle fees.
HOW YOUR CAR IS VALUED: All three jurisdictions use J.D. Power, a vehicle-data company that publishes estimated market values for cars and trucks. Each jurisdiction uses a slightly different J.D. Power valuation method.
CHECK YOUR BILL: Residents can review their tax information through their local online tax portal. A free J.D. Power trade-in tool can also provide a useful comparison with the assessed value.
Vehicle personal property taxes are due Oct. 5, and where a vehicle is taxed can change the amount due even when its assessed value is the same.
This article focuses on passenger vehicles. Other personal property, including aircraft, boats and certain business equipment, can also be taxed and will be covered separately.
The Manassas Journal compared a qualifying vehicle assessed at $20,000 in the three jurisdictions we cover.
The result: nearly identical bills in Manassas and Prince William County, but a higher bill in Manassas Park because of differences in state car-tax relief and vehicle fees.
One Vehicle, Three Bills
The $20,000 value below is an example used to compare the tax systems. It is not an actual assessment for a particular vehicle.
| Jurisdiction | Tax Rate | 2026 Car-Tax Relief | Vehicle Fee | $20,000 Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Manassas | $3.60 per $100 | 34.19% | None | $473.83 |
| City of Manassas Park | $3.50 per $100 | 30% | $30 | $520.00 |
| Prince William County | $3.50 per $100 | 37% | $33 | $474.00 |
The table shows why the tax rate alone does not tell you what you will pay.
Manassas Park and Prince William County both charge $3.50 per $100 of assessed value, but different relief percentages and vehicle fees produce different final bills.
City of Manassas
Manassas Commissioner of the Revenue Tim Demeria confirmed the 2026 vehicle tax rate is $3.60 per $100 and car-tax relief is 34.19% for a qualifying vehicle.
The City’s former $25 vehicle fee has been eliminated and is not included on current bills.
For a $20,000 qualifying vehicle:
- Tax before relief: $720
- Car-tax relief: $246.17
- Amount due: $473.83
Manassas uses J.D. Power clean trade-in value to assess vehicles.
Assessment questions go to the Commissioner of the Revenue. Billing and payment questions go to the Treasurer’s Office.
City of Manassas Park
Manassas Park Commissioner of the Revenue Lucy Pullen confirmed a tax rate of $3.50 per $100 and 30% car-tax relief for 2026.
Passenger vehicles also carry a $30 decal fee.
For the same $20,000 qualifying vehicle:
- Tax before relief: $700
- Car-tax relief: $210
- Tax after relief: $490
- Decal fee: $30
- Amount due: $520
Manassas Park uses the January Eastern Edition of the J.D. Power guide and average trade-in value.
The City does not prorate personal property taxes. Vehicles are assessed based on what is owned Jan. 1.
If a vehicle is sold or moved out of Manassas Park by Oct. 5 and DMV records are updated, Pullen said the $30 decal fee can be removed.
For assessment questions, residents can contact the Commissioner of the Revenue at 703-335-8825 or personalproperty@manassasparkva.gov.
For billing or payment questions, contact the Treasurer’s Office at 703-335-8835 or CMP-Treasurer@manassasparkva.gov.
Prince William County
Prince William County’s vehicle tax rate is $3.50 per $100.
For 2026, qualifying vehicles receive 37% car-tax relief on the tax associated with the first $20,000 of value.
The County also charges a $33 annual vehicle registration fee.
For a $20,000 qualifying vehicle:
- Tax before relief: $700
- Car-tax relief: $259
- Tax after relief: $441
- Registration fee: $33
- Amount due: $474
Prince William County uses January J.D. Power clean trade-in value for most cars, trucks and vans.
Unlike Manassas and Manassas Park, the County generally prorates vehicle taxes when a vehicle is bought, sold or moved during the year. The $33 registration fee is not prorated.
Taxpayer Services can be reached at 703-792-6710.
What Is Car-Tax Relief?
Virginia’s Personal Property Tax Relief Act, commonly called car-tax relief, reduces the local tax on qualifying personal-use vehicles.
A qualifying vehicle is generally a privately owned or leased passenger vehicle used mainly for personal, not business, purposes.
The state provides a fixed amount of money for the program, and each locality receives its own share. The number and value of qualifying vehicles also vary.
That is why the 2026 relief percentage is different in each jurisdiction:
- Manassas: 34.19%
- Manassas Park: 30%
- Prince William County: 37%
Relief generally applies to the tax on the first $20,000 of a qualifying vehicle’s value. Value above $20,000 does not receive PPTRA relief.
Why Your Car’s Value May Look Different
Your tax assessment is not necessarily the same as a dealer offer, online listing price or what you paid for the vehicle.
The three jurisdictions use J.D. Power vehicle-value data to help determine taxable value, but they do not all use the same valuation category.
For 2026:
- Manassas: J.D. Power clean trade-in value
- Manassas Park: January Eastern Edition, average trade-in value
- Prince William County: January J.D. Power clean trade-in value for most cars, trucks and vans
J.D. Power also offers a free online tool that allows owners to enter their vehicle information and see a current trade-in estimate.
That estimate is useful for comparison, but it may not exactly match the tax assessment. Local governments use specific J.D. Power guide values for the tax year, while the public J.D. Power tool reflects current market information.
Check your vehicle’s trade-in value with J.D. Power
Check Your Own Bill
Residents can also go directly to their jurisdiction’s online tax system to review their own account.
When checking your bill, look at the assessed value, tax rate, car-tax relief and any vehicle fee. Those four numbers explain most of the difference in the final amount.
City of Manassas: The City’s online bill-payment system allows residents to access and pay personal property tax bills.
City of Manassas Park: The Taxpayer Portal allows residents to view tax and payment history, pay bills and report vehicle changes.
City of Manassas Park Taxpayer Portal
Prince William County: The Taxpayer Portal allows residents to pay taxes, view balances and payment history, and report vehicle changes.
Prince William County Taxpayer Portal
If the vehicle’s assessed value appears wrong, contact the office responsible for assessments. Questions about the amount billed or payment should go to the treasurer or tax office.
Bought, Sold or Moved a Car?
The rules are not the same in all three jurisdictions.
Manassas and Manassas Park do not prorate personal property taxes. Their annual assessment is based on vehicles owned as of Jan. 1.
Prince William County generally prorates vehicle taxes when a vehicle is bought, sold or moved during the year, although exceptions can apply.
Residents who sold a vehicle or moved should make sure their DMV information is current.
Oct. 5 Deadline
Vehicle personal property taxes are due Monday, Oct. 5 in all three jurisdictions.
Prince William County says unpaid County balances are subject to a 10% late-payment penalty after the deadline, with interest also accruing.
Residents who expected a bill but did not receive one should contact their jurisdiction rather than assume nothing is due.
Sources / Reference Links
Direct 2026 tax confirmation from Tim Demeria, Commissioner of the Revenue, City of Manassas, Sept. 15, 2026.
Direct 2026 tax confirmation from Lucy Pullen, Commissioner of the Revenue, City of Manassas Park, Sept. 15, 2026.
Prince William County 2026 Personal Property Tax Rates
Prince William County Personal Property Tax and Vehicle Assessment Information
Prince William County Personal Property Tax Relief Act
Virginia Code § 58.1-3524, Personal Property Tax Relief
Virginia Tax, Personal Property Tax Relief Program Changes
J.D. Power Trade-In Value Tool
