The Automatic Installment Application Form is the Fairfax County Department of Tax Administration (DTA) form, coded EFT-PRE, that sets up automatic electronic debits from your bank account for real estate and personal property tax. It is one of the forms used to pay Fairfax County property tax in installments or as a lump sum on the due date. You can also use it to change or cancel an existing plan. On FillingPDF you can fill out the form online and download or print the completed PDF; the county publishes the original PDF, and the form is returned to DTA with a voided check or deposit slip.
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What is EFT-PRE?
The Automatic Installment Application Form is the Fairfax County Department of Tax Administration (DTA) form, code EFT-PRE, that authorizes DTA to debit your bank account for agreed real estate or personal property tax payments.
The PDF is printed as the Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) Authorization Agreement for the Payment Real Estate and/or Personal Property Taxes, Rev 10-2013. DTA's forms page lists it under "Other Forms" as the Automatic Installment Application Form. Signing it is a contract: you certify that you have authority over the bank account and authorize Fairfax County, through a third-party processor, to initiate and process withdrawals. The agreement stays in effect until the county receives your written termination.
The form lets you:
- start a new EFT authorization, or modify an existing one (update information, change the deduction amount or date, add a property, or delete a property);
- pay real estate tax, personal property tax, or both, choosing monthly debits, quarterly debits or a lump sum;
- list each property address or each vehicle (year/make/model) with its debit amount.
The county says there is no service charge for the program. The form does not replace a tax bill: DTA still sends a bill before the due date for any balance not covered by the plan.
Who needs to file EFT-PRE?
Fairfax County taxpayers who want to prepay personal property tax, real estate tax, or both through automatic debits from a bank account use this form. DTA's forms page says the installment program covers personal property taxes and real estate tax payments.
- New participants check New EFT Authorization.
- Current participants check Modify Existing EFT Authorization and mark the change: Update Information, Change Deduction Amount or Date, Add New Property or Delete Property. Buying a new vehicle counts as adding property.
- Businesses can enter a business name in the space provided.
Real estate tax is not eligible if you already pay it through monthly escrow to a mortgage company, according to DTA's forms page.
The form states that you must have authority to request withdrawals from the bank account you list. It has a single signature line, labeled Authorized Signature, and does not describe a representative or co-signer.
For help working out the deduction amount, the form tells you to call DTA at 703-222-8234.
When to file EFT-PRE
Submit the form before the first tax due date you want the plan to cover. The form lists these due dates:
- Real estate tax: July 28 (first installment) and December 5 (second installment).
- Personal property tax: October 5.
- Vehicles moved into the county after July 1: February 15 of the following calendar year.
Money is debited within two business days after the initiation date you select. If that date falls on a weekend or holiday, the debit starts the next business day. Payments are credited using the initiation date. All taxes must be paid in full on or before the due date, and any balance left after the due date accrues interest and penalty.
The form sets no application deadline of its own. To cancel, add or remove property, or change the amount or frequency, notify DTA in writing 30 days before the change you want. Cancellation takes effect within 30 days of DTA receiving your termination letter.
Documents you need
- A voided blank check, if you pay from a checking account. The form says to attach it where marked, and the cover page says to return it with the form.
- A deposit slip, if you pay from a savings account. The form says to attach it where marked.
How to fill out EFT-PRE
Choose new or modified authorization
Check New EFT Authorization, or check Modify Existing EFT Authorization and mark the change: Update Information, Change Deduction Amount or Date, Add New Property or Delete Property.
Enter your name and business name
Write your name in Name. Add the Business Name only if it applies.
Enter address and contact details
Fill in Mailing Address, City, State and Zip Code. Then enter your Home Phone, Business Phone, Cell Phone and E-mail.
Enter your bank account details
Enter the Name of Financial Institution, Name on Bank Account, Bank Account Number and the Nine Digit Routing Transit Number. Check Checking (attach a voided check) or Savings (attach a deposit slip).
Select real estate tax frequency
In Real Estate Tax Payments, check one option: monthly on the 1st or 15th, quarterly on the 1st or 15th of January, April, July and October, or lump sum. A lump sum debits the full tax on the due dates, July 28th and December 5th.
List properties and debit amounts
For each property, enter the Property Address and Debit Amount. Leave the amount blank for a lump sum, and leave the "For DTA Use Only" columns (Map Number, MTP) empty.
Select personal property tax frequency
In Personal Property Tax Payments, check one option: monthly, quarterly or lump sum. A lump sum debits the full tax on October 5th.
List vehicles and debit amounts
For each vehicle, enter the Year/Make/Model and Debit Amount. Leave the amount blank for a lump sum and leave the Property Number column empty.
Prepare the voided check or deposit slip
Have the voided check or deposit slip ready to attach in the box marked "Attach Voided Check or Deposit Slip Here".
Sign, date, review and download
Read the authorization terms, then enter your Authorized Signature and Date. Check every entry, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and send it as described under How to submit.
How to submit EFT-PRE
You submit the form by mail to DTA, with a voided check or deposit slip.
- By mail: Fairfax County Department of Tax Administration, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 223, Fairfax, VA 22035. Enclose the completed, signed form and the voided check (checking account) or deposit slip (savings account).
- Questions: call 703-222-8234 or email [email protected].
- Changes and cancellation: send your request to DTA in writing, 30 days before the change you want.
The form names no online or in-person channel. The county's forms page says completed PDF forms should be mailed to the same address.
After enrollment, DTA does not send receipts for EFT deductions automatically; keep your bank statement as confirmation. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Mailing the form without a voided check (checking) or deposit slip (savings); the form requires one of them with the agreement.
- Checking more than one frequency in the real estate or personal property section; the form says to check one.
- Entering a debit amount for a lump-sum choice; the form says to leave the Debit Amount blank for lump sum.
- Assuming the plan covers the whole bill; DTA sends a bill before the due date for any balance not included.
- Changing or cancelling the plan without 30 days' written notice to DTA.
- Waiting for a receipt; DTA does not send receipts for EFT deductions automatically, so keep your bank statement.
- Leaving taxes unpaid after the due date; any outstanding balance accrues interest and penalty.
- Writing in the shaded "For DTA Use Only" columns (Map Number, MTP, Property Number).
- Sending the form unsigned or undated; it is not an agreement until the Authorized Signature and Date are completed.
Frequently asked questions
Can I pay Fairfax County property tax automatically?
Yes. The Automatic Installment Application Form (EFT-PRE) authorizes the Department of Tax Administration to debit your bank account for real estate tax, personal property tax, or both. You choose monthly, quarterly or lump-sum debits. The county says there is no service charge for the program.
What is the Fairfax County EFT form?
It is the Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) Authorization Agreement, form EFT-PRE, which DTA's forms page lists as the Automatic Installment Application Form. Signing it authorizes Fairfax County, through a third-party processor, to withdraw the agreed payments from your bank account.
Can I use it if my mortgage company pays my real estate tax?
Not for real estate tax that you already pay through monthly escrow to a mortgage company. DTA's forms page says the real estate installment option is available unless you pay those taxes through escrow. Personal property tax is covered separately.
What do I send with the form?
Send a voided blank check if you pay from a checking account, or a deposit slip if you pay from a savings account. Mail both with the signed form to DTA, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 223, Fairfax, VA 22035.
How do I change or cancel my automatic payments?
Notify DTA in writing 30 days before the change. This applies to cancelling, adding or removing property (including a new vehicle) or changing the amount or frequency. A cancellation takes effect within 30 days of DTA receiving your termination letter.
Will I get a receipt for each deduction?
No. DTA does not send receipts for EFT deductions automatically, so keep a copy of your bank statement as confirmation. DTA also sends a bill before the due date for any balance not included in your plan.
What happens if I overpay?
For real estate tax, the overpayment is credited to the next installment unless you request a refund. For personal property tax, it is returned to you automatically as a refund. For help with the amount, call DTA at 703-222-8234.
Can I fill out the Automatic Installment Application Form online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF does not send the form to Fairfax County or set up your plan; you mail the completed form with the voided check or deposit slip to DTA.
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