Frequently Asked Questions
The Assessor:
- Does Not Set Tax Rates.
- Does Not Send Tax Bill.
- Does Not Collect Taxes.
When do I file an appeal?
1. If you believe the Full Cash Value on your Notice of Valuation
is higher than actual Market Value or the Legal Class is incorrect
according to current use, you will want to file a "Petition for Review,"
DOR 82130. Notice of Valuation is mailed on March 1. The valuation
is used for the next calendar year's tax computations. Petition for
Review of Real Property Valuations (Vacant, Residential, Commercial,
and Agricultural) are available to the property owners from March
1st through April 29. Petitions are available from the Assessor's
Office and the Board of Supervisors offices.
How is my Mobile Home valued?
In Arizona, Mobile Homes are VALUED by taking the original factory
List Price minus a depreciation factor based on age. When a Mobile
Home is acquired, title is used by the Arizona Department of Transportation
OR the owner can record an Affidavit of Affixture, which will add
the Mobile Home value to the property value.
What is an Affidavit of Affixture?
An Affidavit of Affixture is a document that legally secures personal
property to real property.
What is the Full Cash Value?
The Full Cash Value is the market value of the land and any improvements.
Full Cash Value is also the basis for computing secondary taxes for
bonds, budget overrides and special districts such as fire, flood
control and other limited purpose district.
What is the Limited Value?
Limited Value is the basis for computing primary taxes for the maintenance
and operation of school district cities, community college districts,
counties, and the state.
What is Real Property?
Real Property includes land, buildings, and other improvements on
the land.
How is my Real Property taxed?
Tax rates are set by all budget authorities and are separates into
two types. 1. Primary Rates are set by governmental entities such
as counties and cities and towns. They are applied to the "limited
value" to determine taxes due. These taxes are used for the basic
expenses of government and schools.
2. Secondary Rates are set by special districts, fire districts and
bond issues. Usually taxpayers vote for these districts and bonds,
so the rates are applied to the Full Cash Value to determine taxes
due.
How is my Real Property valued?
The Assessor is mandated by Arizona State Statutes to value property
at its Full Cash (Market) Value. Full Cash Value is the basis for
assessing, fixing, determining and levying secondary property taxes.
There are three methods of appraising value: Sales Comparison, Replacement
Cost And Income.
1. Sales Comparison: It is also known as Market. This method
compares your property to other similar properties that have recently
been sold. This method is used mostly for homes and land.
2. Replacement Cost: (less depreciation) This method is based
on now much it would take at today's material and labor cost to replace
your property with a similar structure. It is used mostly for commercial
buildings or homes that are not typical or are located in a remote
area.
3. Income: The income method is based on the income potential
of the property. Using operating Income and Expense Data supplied
by the owner, the value is determined by capitalizing the potential
net income.
What is Personal Property?
For property tax purposes in Arizona, personal property is defined
as all types of property except land, buildings or other real property
improvements. Taxable personal property includes all assets used in
the operation of a business, farm, ranch or residential rental activity.
How do I report Taxable Personal Property?
File a Personal Property Statement, Form DOR 82520 or an Agricultural
Personal Property Statement, Form DOR 82520A, with the county Assessor
each year, listing property that has been acquired or disposed of
during the year and confirming property items still on the roll. If
the Assessor does not mail a business personal property reporting
form, it is the owner's responsibility to report his personal property
to the Assessor.
What is my Legal Class?
The Legal Class is based on the use of the property. There are twelve
different classes. Individual parcels may have more than one use.
In this case the parcel will have a "mixed ratio" applied to the total
value.
How are my property taxes computed?
The assessed value divided by 100, times the tax rate (set in August
of each year), determines property taxes billed in September. The
Treasure collects the property taxes!
What are Exemptions?
Exemptions are available for qualifying widows, widowers, and disabled
persons. The applicant must apply each year between January 1 and
the last working day in February. First-time applicants must apply
in person. Each type of exemption has different qualification requirements.
Please call the Exemption Division at (520) 375-8030 for details.