How to Pay Your Maricopa County Property Tax Bill
Where to send your Maricopa property tax payment
Maricopa County Treasurer collects property taxes for unincorporated Maricopa County. If your property is inside a city—Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Peoria, Surprise, or another incorporated municipality—your city treasurer handles collection instead, not the county. Check your tax bill to see which office issued it; the bill will show the mailing address and payment instructions for your specific collector.
The Maricopa County Treasurer accepts payments by mail, in person, online, or by phone. Mail payments to the address printed on your bill. In-person payments are accepted at the Treasurer's office in downtown Phoenix during business hours. Online payment through the county website (maricopa.gov/treasurer) uses a third-party processor and charges a convenience fee. Phone payments also incur a fee and require speaking with a representative.
If you live in an incorporated city, contact your city treasurer's office directly—each city runs its own payment system. Most large Maricopa cities now offer online payment portals on their websites, though fees vary by city.
Key Takeaways
- Maricopa County Treasurer collects taxes only for unincorporated areas; city treasurers collect for properties inside city limits, so check your bill to find the correct office.
- Payment methods include mail (no fee), in-person at the Treasurer's office, online through the county website (with a convenience fee), and by phone (with a fee).
- Property taxes in Maricopa are due on the first Monday in March for the first half-year payment and the first Monday in September for the second half-year payment.
- If you miss a payment deadline, penalties and interest begin to accrue immediately, and the county can place a lien on your property after a set period of non-payment.
Payment deadlines and how penalties work
Maricopa property taxes are split into two payments per year. The first half is due the first Monday in March; the second half is due the first Monday in September. Both dates are firm—there is no grace period. If your payment does not reach the Treasurer (or your city treasurer) by the deadline, a penalty of 10% of the unpaid amount is added immediately.
After the first penalty is assessed, interest accrues at 16% per year on the unpaid balance, compounded monthly. This means the longer you wait, the more you owe. A $1,000 unpaid tax bill can grow by $160 in the first year alone. The county does not send a second notice before penalties kick in—the deadline on your bill is the only warning you receive.
If taxes remain unpaid for three years, the county can file a lien against your property. A lien does not force a sale immediately, but it clouds your title and makes it nearly impossible to refinance or sell without paying the debt first. After five years of non-payment, the county may foreclose and sell the property at a tax sale.
Setting up automatic or recurring payments
The Maricopa County Treasurer does not offer automatic draft payments directly from your bank account. However, you can set up a recurring reminder through your own bank's bill-pay system, which allows you to schedule payments to the Treasurer's address each March and September without logging in each time.
Some property owners use their mortgage servicer's escrow account to pay taxes automatically. If your loan includes an escrow account, your servicer collects a portion of your monthly mortgage payment, holds it, and pays your property taxes and insurance on your behalf when they come due. This removes the burden of remembering the deadline, though you pay interest on the escrow balance and have less control over the timing. Ask your mortgage servicer whether escrow is available on your loan.
City treasurers in Maricopa often offer more payment automation options than the county. Phoenix, for example, allows online account setup with recurring payments. Check your city treasurer's website to see what options are available for your property.
What happens if you cannot pay on time
If you know you will miss a deadline, contact the Treasurer's office or your city treasurer before the due date. Some offices have hardship programs or payment plans, though these are not may provide and vary by location. The county Treasurer's office can sometimes negotiate a short extension or a payment arrangement, but only if you ask before the deadline passes. After penalties are assessed, negotiating becomes much harder.
Arizona offers a Homestead Property Tax Renter Credit and a Property Tax Deferral Program for homeowners over 65 or with disabilities, but these reduce your tax bill rather than extend your payment deadline. The deferral program allows you to postpone payment, but interest and penalties still accrue, and the debt becomes due when you sell the property or pass it to an heir. Information about these programs is available through the Arizona Department of Revenue.
If you are facing foreclosure due to unpaid taxes, a HUD-approved housing counselor can review your options. The Maricopa County Community Services Department and local nonprofits offer free counseling. Acting early—before a lien is filed—gives you the most options.
Paying taxes on a property you are buying or selling
When you buy a property in Maricopa, the seller's taxes are prorated at closing. You and the seller split the year's tax bill based on how many days each of you owned the property. The title company or escrow agent calculates this and adjusts the purchase price accordingly. You become responsible for taxes starting the day after closing, and your first bill will arrive in the mail several months later.
When you sell, make sure your final tax bill is paid before closing. If unpaid taxes remain on the property, they transfer to the new owner, and the title company will not close the sale until the debt is cleared. Your real estate agent or title company can request a payoff statement from the Treasurer showing exactly what is owed as of the closing date.
If you are buying a foreclosed property or a tax deed property, the previous owner's tax debt does not transfer to you—the sale clears the lien. However, you are responsible for taxes from the date of your purchase forward.
Understanding your property tax bill
Your Maricopa property tax bill shows the assessed value of your property, the tax rate (called the "levy"), and the amount owed for each half-year period. The assessed value is set by the Maricopa County Assessor and is typically 10% to 20% of the market value of your home. The tax rate varies by location and is set by your county, city, school district, and any special districts (fire, water, library) that serve your property.
The bill also lists the due date, the payment address, and any penalties or interest from prior unpaid amounts. If you disagree with the assessed value, you can file a protest with the Assessor's office. Protests must be filed by the deadline shown on your bill—usually in late May or early June. Filing a protest does not delay your tax payment; you still owe the full amount by the deadline, even if you are challenging the assessment.
If you do not receive a bill, contact the Treasurer or Assessor immediately. Non-receipt does not excuse non-payment, and penalties will still apply if taxes are not paid by the deadline.
Online payment and security
The Maricopa County Treasurer's online payment system is operated by a third-party processor and is encrypted. Payments made through the official county website (maricopa.gov/treasurer) are secure. The processor charges a convenience fee—typically 2% to 3% of the payment amount—which is added to your bill.
Before paying online, verify that you are on the official county website or your city's official website. Scams targeting property owners often use fake payment sites that look similar to the real ones. If you are unsure, call the Treasurer's office directly and ask for the correct payment link.
Mail payments are also safe if sent to the address on your bill. Do not send cash; use a check or money order. Keep a copy of your cancelled check or money order receipt as proof of payment. If you pay in person, ask for a receipt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I pay property taxes to Maricopa County or to my city?
It depends on where your property is located. If it is in unincorporated Maricopa County (outside any city), you pay the county Treasurer. If it is inside a city—Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Peoria, Surprise, or another incorporated city—you pay your city treasurer. Your tax bill will show which office to send payment to.
What if I pay late by accident?
A 10% penalty is added to your unpaid balance immediately after the deadline passes. Interest at 16% per year then accrues on the total (tax plus penalty). Contact the Treasurer's office as soon as you realize the payment is late and pay the full amount owed, including the penalty and interest. The sooner you pay, the less interest accumulates.
Can I pay my property taxes through my mortgage payment?
Only if your mortgage includes an escrow account. Ask your mortgage servicer whether escrow is part of your loan. If it is, your servicer collects taxes and insurance with your monthly payment and pays them on your behalf. If your loan does not have escrow, you must pay property taxes directly to the Treasurer or city treasurer.
What if I own property in multiple cities in Maricopa County?
Each property has its own tax bill and its own deadline. You will receive separate bills for each property, and each must be paid by its deadline. Set reminders for both March and September to ensure you do not miss a deadline for any property.
Can I deduct my Maricopa property taxes on my federal income tax return?
Yes, property taxes are deductible on your federal return if you itemize deductions. However, the deduction is capped at $10,000 per year for state and local taxes combined (including income tax, sales tax, and property tax). Consult a tax professional to determine whether itemizing saves you money compared to taking the standard deduction.