DC Property Tax Calculator

District of Columbia's average effective property tax rate is 0.56% of assessed value (2026), among the lowest in the nation. Property tax is administered by counties and municipalities — the state sets a framework, but local taxing authorities (school districts, county boards, special-service districts, fire/police districts) levy their own millage rates that stack onto the bill.

Your tax bill is the assessed value times the combined millage rate (1 mill = $1 per $1,000 of assessed value). Many jurisdictions assess at less than 100% of market value (e.g., 80% or 50%), so the effective rate on market value can be much lower than the headline millage. Common reductions include homestead exemptions (primary residence discount), senior or disabled-person freezes, veteran exemptions, and farm/agricultural use deferrals — these can cut a primary-residence bill by 10–50% in many states.

Most jurisdictions reassess property values every 1–4 years; rapid market gains can produce large bill jumps unless capped by state law (e.g., California's Proposition 13 limits annual increases to 2% on a primary residence; Texas caps homesteads at 10%/yr). Property tax is deductible federally as part of the SALT itemized deduction, capped at a combined $40,000 in 2026 under OBBBA (raised from $10,000), with a 30% phase-down on MAGI above $500,000 (floor $10,000). Use this calculator to estimate your annual bill and monthly escrow contribution.

DC offers a unique three-tier residential property-tax structure: Class 1 (owner-occupied) at $0.85/$100, Class 2 (commercial/non-occupied) at $1.65–$1.89/$100, and Class 3 (vacant) at $5.00/$100 plus Class 4 (blighted) at $10.00/$100. Effective rates for owner-occupied are ~0.55% — among the lowest in the country — boosted by the $87,050 homestead deduction (FY2026). Seniors 65+ with under $174,800 income qualify for an additional 50% reduction. Bills are due in two installments: March and September.