By Ronald J. Hansen and Catherine Reagor | The Arizona Republic
Most Maricopa County homeowners saw slight relief on their property taxes this year. But the overall decline wasn’t as steep as the drop in the value of their houses, continuing a pattern that has held true for six years, according to an Arizona Republic analysis.
The lower tax bills generally were the result of moderate cuts in school tax rates and special-district taxing rates, along with a final year of lower property values on which the taxes were based. But exceptions abound because of the county’s confusing array of taxing districts.
Because of rising property values, many taxpayers should expect their fall 2014 bills to go up unless their tax rates, which will be set next summer, drop.
Property taxes in Maricopa County are among the lowest in the nation for urban counties. Even so, many homeowners were surprised to see their property values fall on average more than three times faster than their tax bills in the aftermath of the Great Recession.
Homeowners often focus on the assessed value of their house, but tax rates can play an even greater role in the annual property-tax bill.
Related: Quartzsite church takes tax bill to Arizona Supreme Court
To discuss tqx appeals, contact attorney Kelley Gorry at kgorry@roselaegroup.com
