Accomack County Property Tax Records

Accomack County property tax records are maintained by the Commissioner of the Revenue and the Treasurer, both located in Accomac on Virginia's Eastern Shore. These records cover all taxable real estate in the county, and residents can access assessment data, owner details, and payment history through county offices or online tools provided by the county's assessment software vendor. Each parcel record includes the owner name, parcel identification number, land and improvement values, and tax payment history. Property owners, buyers, and title researchers can search Accomack County property tax records by visiting either office in person or checking any online portal the county provides during regular business hours.

Commissioner of the Revenue

The Accomack County Commissioner of the Revenue is the primary office for real estate assessment records on the Eastern Shore. This office assesses all real property in the county at fair market value, as required under Virginia Code § 58.1-3200. The Commissioner also oversees personal property assessments, maintains detailed records for each parcel, and administers several tax relief programs for qualifying residents.

Real estate records maintained by this office include the owner of record, parcel identification number, legal description, land and improvement values, and the property's assessed value history. The real estate division handles updates when properties sell, change ownership, or undergo improvements. If you've recently bought property in Accomack County, the deed recorded in the Circuit Court clerk's office triggers an update in the Commissioner's assessment files.

The Commissioner's office is located at the county government complex in Accomac. Office hours are generally Monday through Friday during standard business hours, though you should call ahead to confirm current schedules. Staff can assist with questions about how your property was assessed and what data was used to set your value.

The notice requirements under § 58.1-3330 mean the county must notify property owners when assessments change by more than a set threshold. If you get such a notice, the Commissioner's office is the first place to start with questions.

Virginia's Department of Taxation website at tax.virginia.gov provides statewide guidance on how local commissioners operate and what records they must maintain. That resource can help you understand the broader framework before contacting the local office.

Accomack County Treasurer

The Accomack County Treasurer collects real estate taxes and personal property taxes based on assessments provided by the Commissioner of the Revenue. The Treasurer's office also manages delinquent tax collections and processes tax payments made by mail, in person, or online where available.

Tax bills in Accomack County are typically sent out twice a year. The Treasurer's records show whether taxes on a given parcel are current, delinquent, or have been subject to collection action. If you're buying property in the county, a title search will include a check with the Treasurer to confirm no outstanding balances exist. Delinquent real estate taxes are a lien on the property and must be resolved before a clean title can pass to a new owner.

The Treasurer's office can provide tax payment receipts and confirmation of current tax status. Property owners who have questions about a bill amount should first check with the Commissioner's office, since the Treasurer can only adjust bills based on assessment corrections authorized by the Commissioner.

How to Search Accomack County Property Tax Records

Accomack County uses Vision Government Solutions property assessment software, which some Virginia localities use to provide online public access to assessment data. Check the county's official website at co.accomack.va.us for a link to any active online property search portal. Through such a portal you can typically search by owner name, parcel number, or street address to view current assessment data, property characteristics, and sales history.

If an online portal is not available or you need more detailed records, you can contact the Commissioner of the Revenue's office directly. Under Virginia Code § 58.1-3331, assessment records are open for public inspection. You do not need to state a reason or have a legal interest in the property to view them. Staff can pull up records at the counter, and copies are generally available for a small fee.

Virginia's Freedom of Information Act also gives you the right to request assessment records in bulk or in specific formats. Written FOIA requests should be directed to the county administrator's office. Responses are generally due within five business days, though the county may request an extension for complex or voluminous requests.

Assessment Process

Under Virginia Code § 58.1-3200, all real property in Virginia must be assessed at 100% of fair market value. Accomack County follows this standard. The Commissioner's office uses mass appraisal methods to set values across the county's diverse mix of agricultural land, waterfront parcels, residential homes, and commercial properties. Eastern Shore properties often include productive farmland and coastal or bay-front lots, which require different valuation approaches than typical inland parcels.

Property characteristics recorded in appraisal files include the lot size, building square footage, year built, construction type, number of rooms, and any improvements such as garages, outbuildings, or major renovations. Under § 58.1-3332, property owners have the right to inspect their own appraisal card, which documents the data used to calculate the assessed value. If you believe the card contains errors, correcting them can sometimes lead to a revised assessment.

When a property owner disagrees with the assessed value and can't resolve the issue with the Commissioner's office, the next step is to file an appeal with the Board of Equalization. Under § 58.1-3378, each county must appoint a Board of Equalization to hear such appeals. The board is independent from the Commissioner's office and can order an assessment reduced, increased, or left unchanged based on the evidence presented. Procedures for hearings are governed by § 58.1-3379.

The Virginia Department of Taxation provides oversight guidance on assessment practices statewide. You can find resources at tax.virginia.gov if you want to understand how Virginia's assessment system works before contacting Accomack County officials.

The following screenshot shows the Virginia Department of Taxation website, which provides statewide guidance on property tax assessment standards in Virginia.

The Virginia Department of Taxation sets uniform standards that all local commissioners must follow when assessing real property across the state.

Tax Relief Programs

Accomack County offers tax relief for qualifying elderly and disabled property owners under Virginia Code § 58.1-3210. To qualify, applicants must meet age or disability requirements, own and occupy the property as their primary residence, and fall within income and net worth limits set by the county. The exact thresholds can change, so check with the Commissioner of the Revenue for the current year's limits.

Disabled veterans and surviving spouses of veterans killed in action may also qualify for a full exemption from real estate taxes under § 58.1-3219.5. This exemption applies to the primary residence and requires certification of total and permanent service-connected disability from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The Commissioner's office handles applications and can walk you through the documentation needed.

The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development at dhcd.virginia.gov administers some statewide housing assistance programs that can work in combination with local tax relief. If you're struggling to pay property taxes in Accomack County, it's worth checking both the county's own programs and any state-level resources available through DHCD.

The image below shows the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development website, which coordinates housing assistance and certain tax relief resources for Virginia residents.

DHCD programs can supplement local relief options for Accomack County property owners who meet eligibility requirements.

Land Books and Records Access

Virginia's land book system dates back centuries and remains the official record of taxable real property in each county. Under Virginia Code § 58.1-3301, every county commissioner must maintain a land book that lists each parcel, its owner, the assessed value, and the tax owed. These land books are public records and can be inspected at the Commissioner's office during business hours.

For Accomack County, land books provide a useful snapshot of property ownership and values at a given point in time. Researchers, title examiners, and property owners use them to trace ownership history, confirm assessment values, and check tax obligations. Older land books may be held at the county courthouse or the Library of Virginia, which maintains historical Virginia records.

Assessment records maintained under § 58.1-3331 are open for public inspection without the need to show cause. This means anyone, whether they own property in Accomack County or not, can walk into the Commissioner's office and ask to see assessment records. Copies are typically available for a per-page fee, and staff can help you locate the records you need.

The Accomack County Circuit Court clerk's office holds deeds, plats, and other land records that complement tax records. Cross-referencing deed records with assessment data gives a full picture of a property's history, legal description, and ownership chain. The court clerk's office is also in Accomac and can be contacted through the county's main website at co.accomack.va.us.

Cities in Accomack County

Accomack County does not contain any independent cities. The county seat is the Town of Accomac, which is a town rather than an independent city under Virginia law.

Nearby Counties

Accomack County is located on Virginia's Eastern Shore peninsula. The only neighboring Virginia county on the peninsula is listed below.