Alexandria Considers Car-Tax Extension for Federal Workers During Shutdowns
ALEXANDRIA, VA — Federal employees in Alexandria could get more time to pay their personal property taxes when a federal government shutdown interrupts their paychecks, under an ordinance City Council is scheduled to consider Tuesday night.
The proposal would allow eligible federal employees affected by a shutdown to apply to the City’s Finance Department for an extension of the personal property tax due date. Under the state authority behind the measure, the extended taxes would have to be paid no later than 90 days after the federal government reopens.
The ordinance is not yet in effect. It is on the agenda for introduction at the Sept. 8 City Council legislative meeting. City staff have recommended a public hearing, second reading and final vote on Sept. 19.
The proposal follows Virginia House Bill 915, passed during the 2026 General Assembly session, which gives local governing bodies authority to create this type of personal property tax extension for federal employees affected by shutdowns.
The timing matters in Alexandria. The City has already mailed its 2026 personal property tax bills, and payment is due on or before Monday, Oct. 5. The automobile tax rate remains $5.33 per $100 of assessed value, according to the City’s Aug. 28 tax-bill notice.
City Finance Director Kevin Greenlief wrote that the department managed roughly 200 payment plans for affected federal employees during the last shutdown and saw a high compliance rate, The Alexandria Brief reported. The City already has some authority to establish payment arrangements on a case-by-case basis, but the proposed ordinance would create a specific process tied to federal shutdowns.
Tuesday’s regular City Council meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center, 4850 Mark Center Drive, after a 6 p.m. executive session. The meeting is also available electronically. Details and the official docket are available through the City of Alexandria calendar.
The Zebra will watch the Sept. 8 discussion and the proposed Sept. 19 public hearing for any changes to the ordinance before final passage.
