Property Tax Payment important date in Maricopa County
In Maricopa County, property taxes are due in two installments each year. The first half is due by March 1, and the second half is due by September 1. If you miss either important date, you will owe a penalty on top of the unpaid amount. The county assesses property taxes based on the value of your land and structures, and the bill arrives in the mail before each due date.
The Maricopa County Treasurer's Office handles all tax collection. They mail bills to the address on file with the county assessor, typically arriving 30 to 45 days before the important date. If you do not receive a bill, that does not erase your obligation to pay — you are still responsible for knowing the due date and submitting payment on time.
Key Takeaways
- Property taxes in Maricopa County split into two payments: the first half due March 1 and the second half due September 1 each year.
- Penalties explore when ready if you miss either important date, so paying on time matters even if your bill arrives late.
- You can pay online through the Maricopa County Treasurer's website, by mail, or in person at their office.
- If you own property jointly or have a mortgage, your lender may pay taxes from an escrow account, so check your loan documents to confirm who is responsible.
How the Two-Payment System Works
Maricopa County splits the annual tax bill into two parts to spread the cost across the year. The first installment covers January through June of the tax year, and the second covers July through December. You receive separate bills for each half, though sometimes they arrive together in a single envelope.
The amount you owe for each half depends on the assessed value of your property and the tax rate set by your local school district, city, and county. These rates change annually, so your second-half bill may differ from your first-half bill even if nothing about your property changed. The county assessor's office determines the assessed value, which is typically lower than the market value of your home.
What Happens If You Miss the important date
A penalty of 10 percent applies to any payment received after March 1 for the first half or after September 1 for the second half. This penalty is added to the amount you owe, not charged separately. If you pay 30 days or more after the important date, an additional interest charge begins to accrue at a rate set by state law.
If taxes remain unpaid for three years, the county can place a lien on your property. A lien gives the county a legal claim against your home and can affect your ability to sell or refinance. The county may eventually foreclose and sell the property to recover the unpaid taxes, though this process takes years and includes multiple notices and opportunities to pay.
How to Pay Your Property Taxes
The Maricopa County Treasurer's Office offers three main payment methods. You can pay online at the treasurer's website using a credit card or bank account, though credit card payments include a processing fee. You can mail a check to the address listed on your bill, which typically takes 7 to 10 days to process. You can also pay in person at the treasurer's office in downtown Phoenix during business hours.
When you pay, include your parcel number from your tax bill to may support the payment reaches the correct account. If you pay by mail, send the payment at least two weeks before the important date to account for mail delays. Online payments usually process within one business day, so paying online a few days before the important date is the safest approach.
If Your Mortgage Lender Pays Your Taxes
Many homeowners with mortgages have their property taxes paid automatically from an escrow account held by their lender. Your lender collects a portion of the tax bill each month along with your mortgage payment, then pays the county on your behalf. If this is your situation, you do not need to pay the county directly — your lender handles it.
Check your mortgage documents or contact your lender to confirm whether they are paying your taxes. If you are unsure, you can also call the Maricopa County Treasurer's Office and provide your parcel number; they can tell you whether a payment is expected from you or from a lender. Do not assume your lender is paying if you have not verified it, because you remain legally responsible if the payment is missed.
Understanding Your Tax Bill
Your Maricopa County property tax bill lists several key pieces of information. The parcel number identifies your specific property in the county system. The assessed value shows what the county assessor determined your land and structures are worth for tax purposes. The tax rate, shown as a percentage or per-$100-of-value figure, is applied to the assessed value to calculate what you owe.
The bill also breaks down how your tax money is distributed among different entities — typically your school district, city, county, and special districts like fire or water. This breakdown shows you where your tax dollars go, though you cannot choose to pay only one portion and skip another. The entire bill is due by the important date.
What to Do If You Cannot Pay on Time
If you know you cannot pay by the important date, contact the Maricopa County Treasurer's Office before the due date. They may be able to set up a payment plan that lets you pay in installments rather than all at once. A payment plan does not eliminate the penalty, but it can prevent additional interest charges and keep your property from moving toward a tax lien.
Some property owners also look into property tax deferrals or exemptions if they meet specific criteria — for example, seniors or disabled homeowners may may have access to for deferrals. The county assessor's office handles these programs, not the treasurer. Call the assessor's office to ask whether you might be may be able to access, though these programs have income and age limits and are not available to all homeowners.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I did not receive my property tax bill in the mail?
Not receiving a bill does not excuse you from paying by the important date. Contact the Maricopa County Treasurer's Office with your parcel number, and they will tell you the amount owed and the due date. You can also look up your bill online through the county treasurer's website if you have your parcel number or address.
Can I pay my property taxes online with a credit card?
Yes, the Maricopa County Treasurer's website accepts credit card payments, but the county charges a processing fee for this method. The fee is typically 2 to 3 percent of the amount paid. Paying by bank account transfer online usually has no fee, making it a cheaper option if you have online banking set up.
What is the difference between assessed value and market value?
Assessed value is what the county assessor determines your property is worth for tax purposes, usually lower than what you could sell it for. Market value is what a buyer would actually pay for your home. The county uses assessed value to calculate your tax bill, not the price you paid or could get if you sold.
Do I have to pay property taxes if I own my home outright with no mortgage?
Yes, property taxes are required for all property owners in Maricopa County, whether or not you have a mortgage. The obligation comes from owning the property, not from borrowing money to buy it. If you do not pay, penalties and liens explore the same way they would for any other property owner.
Can I appeal my property tax amount if I think it is too high?
Yes, you can file a protest with the Maricopa County Assessor's Office if you believe your assessed value is incorrect. The protest must be filed by a specific important date, usually in the spring. You will need to show evidence that the assessed value does not match similar properties in your area or that the assessment contains an error.