Frequently Asked Questions


Welcome to Prince William County’s Taxpayer Portal

Q: What functions are available?

A: You can schedule one or more e-check payments for the current date or any future dates. You can also sign up for electronic billing and email notifications. Real estate information is now available on-line (you may have to contact us to set this up if you register and do not see your real estate account). For dog owners, the new tax portal allows you to renew and pay for dog licenses online. For business owners, you are able to submit required filings and pay taxes online, including business license, business tangible property. Hotel and campground operators are able to submit and pay the transient occupancy tax, and rental companies are able to submit and pay rental taxes. For all businesses and taxpayers, you can see copies of any bill or form sent to you, and more!

Q: My account number is not being recognized to link my accounts. How can this be resolved?

A: Account numbers in the new tax system are eight digits long and begin with a "1". Account numbers in the old tax system began with an "8" or "9". If you need your new account number please call Taxpayer Services at 703-792-6710.

Q: I do not know my account number, is there another way to link my accounts?

A: If you own or owned a vehicle that was registered in Prince William County during the last two years, you can use the vehicle title number to create the link to your tax accounts. The vehicle title can be found on your vehicle registration or title document.


Creating an Account

Q: I'm not receiving the confirmation email?

A: Email from the tax.pwcgov.org application could mistakenly be blocked by your service provider. Actions you can take to resolve this problem. 1. Add noreply@pwcgov.org to your contacts list. Confirmation emails from tax.pwcgov.org will have a From header with the following email addresses: noreply@pwcgov.org You might consider adding this email addresses to your contacts list (address book) and/or asking your email provider to unblock or whitelist the email addresses. 2. Check your SPAM folder. Email from noreply@pwcgov.org can get caught in SPAM filters. Check the SPAM folder in your email inbox to see if the confirmation email is there.

Q: How can I have the system resend the confirmation email?

A: To resend a confirmation try to log in to the system. You should immediately see a message telling you that a confirmation message has been sent and the email address that it was sent to. The confirmation email will originate from noreply@pwcgov.org

Q: I am at the screen that says "Confirm Email Address", what do I do now?

A: Go to your email inbox and click on the link at the end of the message (where it says "Please confirm your account by clicking here"). When you do this, a new window or session will open with the message "Thank you for confirming your email. Click here to continue".


Access to Other Accounts

Q: Some accounts are not linked to my portal account, how can I get access to these accounts?

A: When you create a portal account and go through the link account process the system automatically identifies ownership of the tax record by the Social Security Number (SSN) or Driver License Number (DL#) listed on the tax record. If you do not see a tax account on the portal, it is most likely because your SSN or DL# isn't associated with the tax account. If you are the owner of record and you want access to a tax account, you can request access by selecting “Services” from the Portal dropdown menu. To access the tax records for someone else in your household, a tax record where your name is not listed as an owner, the owner will need to give you access to the records. This is done by creating a portal account and selecting "Settings”, “Manage Access", which is in the menu bar near the top of the screen. Once access has been granted, their tax account will show up when you log-in to the Portal.

Q: I know there is an account with my name that I should see. How do I request access?

A: Use the "Services" dropdown to request access to an account that you are sure should be linked to you because your name is or should be on the account. Please note that access to tax records is only given to the registered owners. If you need access to view or pay for someone else’s tax records you should contact the property owner and ask them to give you access to their online account. For more information see FAQ Manage Access.

Q: How do I allow someone else access to view my tax records?

A: Property owners have control over who can access their tax records online. To share access, both the owner and the other party need an online account. Working from the property owner’s portal account, click “Settings” (located near the top) and select “Manage Access”. When prompted, enter the email address of the online user who is to be given access. Follow the same steps to remove someone from having access.


Finding the Amount of Property Taxes Paid

Q: I'm getting ready to file my income taxes, how do I find the amount of taxes I paid?

A: To find the amount of taxes paid, make sure you are on the Summary of Accounts page (click on "My Accounts" in the menu bar to return to this page). Select the "Services" drop down box and then select "View Payment History". This will show you the payment history by year by tax type for each of your linked accounts. To find the amount billed by year, select "View Tax History".

Q: My linked accounts does not include my real estate account. How do I get information for my real estate?

A: If your real estate account does not show on the My Accounts screen, it is because real estate account types generally do not automatically link when registering. However, we can assist you in linking your real estate account. Please contact us at 703-792-6710 and we will be happy to set this up for you. If you would rather receive this information by email, send a request (include your name and address, and RPC number if you know it) to TaxpayerServices@pwcgov.org and we will send you a printout of taxes billed and paid.


Manage Access - Grant & Revoke Account Access

Q: What is Grant Access?

A: Grant Access is an online feature for combining accounts and the sharing of tax records. Examples: A family can consolidate all of their individual member’s tax records under a single online account. A business can give their accountant access to their online account to manage the tax payments.

Q: How can I give someone else access to my tax records?

A: Use the Grant Access feature. To give someone else access to your online tax records, first create an online account for yourself, link your tax records to your online account, and then Grant Access to the other party using "Settings” “Manage Access" (settings is located near the top of the screen). The other party must also have an online account and have activated their online account by acknowledging the link in the confirmation email and have logged in to the account at least once. When access is granted, an email is sent to the grantee informing them that they have been given access and they can view the tax records when they next log in. The property owner can also revoke access by following the same process.


Electronic Billing

Q: How does electronic billing work?

A: When you view one of your accounts, you can now elect to receive future tax bills automatically. Use the manage notifications function to set this up. Once enabled, you will get an email when a new bill or updated bill is available. The email has a link to access the bill directly. From the portal, you can schedule a payment, or print the bill and mail along with your payment. The bill remains available online (rendered in the same version as if you had gotten a printed bill) so you can access the bill at any time. If you fail to access a new tax bill online at least 30 days before the due date, a bill will be sent by regular mail.

Q: If I enroll in electronic billing, can I change my mind and opt out?

A: Yes, just access the notifications function on the account and uncheck the electronic billing option.


Personal Property

Q: How will I know if my vehicle qualifies for high mileage adjustment?

A: To qualify, vehicle mileage as of January 1, 2022, must be: • 2022 model year vehicle - 10,001 miles or more • 2021 model year vehicle - 20,001 miles or more • 2020 model year vehicle - 35,001 miles or more • 2019 model year vehicle - 45,001 miles or more • 2018 model year vehicle - 60,001 miles or more • 2017 model year vehicle - 70,001 miles or more • 2016 model year vehicle - 85,001 miles or more • 2015 model year vehicle - 95,001 miles or more • 2014 model year vehicle - 105,001 miles or more • 2013 model year vehicle - 120,001 miles or more • 2012 model year vehicle - 130,001 miles or more • 2011 model year vehicle - 140,001 miles or more • 2010 model year vehicle - 150,001 miles or more • 2009 model year vehicle - 155,001 miles or more • 2008 & older model year vehicles - 165,001 miles or more

Q: How do I find the detail for a tax bill?

A: If you have a balance due, you can create a statement. To do this, select "Get Current Statement" under "Services". This is done at the account level. If you want to see the detail for a tax year, click on "My Accounts" along the top navigation bar, then select "Services" and then "View Tax History". From there you can select the tax year for which you want to view detail.


Dog License

Q: I received a dog license application in the mail, how do I file my application online?

A: To license online, go to www.PetData.com and enter your zip code.

Q: Can I get a dog license through the Taxpayer Portal?

A: Dog licenses are no longer sold through the Taxpayer Portal. Starting November 1, 2020, Prince William County dog licenses will be available online at www.petdata.com

Q: How will I recieve my pet's license and annual renewal notice?

A: Pet owners can expect to receive an annual renewal notice from PetData in November/December. PetData will also mail out follow-up reminder notices throughout the year. PetData will mail the licenses directly to your home.


Password Reset

Q: I click the link to reset my password and nothing happens. How do I reset my password?

A: The portal automatically removes accounts that are "inactive". So if you set up an account but never confirmed or linked your portal account to your tax account, the portal account will get automatically deleted. Many users that try to reset their password, in fact, have no account at all. If you get no response to the password reset, try to register again.


Business

Q: Why do I only see the tax records for one of my businesses?

A: The FEIN number that was provided when setting up the online account is what determines which tax records are available to the online user. Business owners can access the tax records for multiple businesses by creating a separate online account for each business and entering that business Federal Employee Identification Number (FEIN), or as maybe the case the Social Security Number (SSN). business. Online accounts can be combined. To allow access from a single account, login to the portal account and click “Settings” (located near the top). Select “Manage Access” and when prompted, enter the email address of the other online account. Repeat as needed.


PayPal

Q: What is PayPal Credit and where can I use it?

A: PayPal Credit is an open end (revolving) credit card account that provides a reusable credit line for PayPal account holders. PayPal Credit gives you the flexibility to pay for your taxes right away or pay over time. PayPal Credit is subject to credit approval.

Q: I need help with PayPal Credit?

A: Contact PayPal Credit Customer Service at (844) 373-4961, Mon-Fri 8am-11pm ET, and Sat-Sun 9am-9pm ET

Q: Can I cancel a PayPal payment?

A: You can't cancel a payment you’ve sent if its status shows "Completed". You can request a refund by emailing taxpayerservices@pwcgov.org


Food and Beverage

Q: How do I amend my return?

A: Amended returns cannot be filed online. Amended returns must be submitted by email or in person. For assistance with an amended return, please contact Taxpayer Services by email taxpayerservices@pwcgov.org or by calling 703.792.6710