Is your calendar set for Phoenix property tax season? Missing a due date can be costly, and the rules are not always obvious. If you own a home in Phoenix, you can stay ahead by knowing exactly when to pay, how to pay, and what to do if something goes off track. This quick guide covers the deadlines that matter, the best payment options, and relief paths worth exploring. Let’s dive in.
Key due dates in Phoenix
Arizona bills property taxes in two installments each year. The first half is due October 1 and becomes delinquent after November 1 at 5:00 p.m. The second half is due March 1 of the following year and becomes delinquent after May 1 at 5:00 p.m. If a due date falls on a weekend or holiday, Maricopa County adjusts the delinquency date to the next business day. You can confirm the baseline schedule in the Arizona Department of Revenue’s Property Tax FAQs and check the county’s annual calendar for the exact business-day adjustment each year (AZDOR, Maricopa County Treasurer).
Tip: If you prefer one payment, you can pay the full year by December 31 and avoid interest on the first installment, even if you missed the October 1 due date. The treasurer publishes the last-day rule each year on its calendar (Maricopa County Treasurer).
Small-bill exception
If your total annual tax is $100 or less, the entire amount is due October 1 and becomes delinquent after December 31 at 5:00 p.m. This is a statewide rule reflected in Maricopa County practice (AZDOR).
2025 calendar example
For 2025, the treasurer shows first-half taxes due October 1, 2025 and, because November 1 falls on a weekend, delinquent after 5:00 p.m. on November 3, 2025. Second-half taxes are due March 1, 2026 and delinquent after May 1, 2026. Always confirm the current year’s calendar before you pay (Maricopa County Treasurer).
How to pay in Maricopa County
You can pay online, by mail, in person, or through certain partners. The online portal lets you search your parcel, view or print your bill, and submit electronic payments. For most owners, online is the fastest and most convenient.
- eCheck/ACH: No convenience fee. This is the most cost-effective option.
- Credit card: Third-party convenience fee applies. Maricopa lists a typical credit card fee around 2.25 percent.
- Debit card: Third-party convenience fee applies. Maricopa lists a typical debit fee around 1.80 percent. Check the treasurer’s Payment Guide for current percentages, limits, and step-by-step instructions (Payment Guide).
Posting times and mail tips
Online payments can take 1 to 3 business days to post to the county database. Electronic payments are accepted up to the delinquency deadline, but the portal may have a same-day cutoff time. If you mail a check, make sure it is postmarked on or before the due date. A USPS Postage Validated Imprint also works as proof of timely mailing (Payment Guide).
If you have a mortgage escrow
If your mortgage includes an escrow account, your servicer usually pays your taxes for you. That said, you are still responsible if a payment is missed. Confirm with your servicer and monitor the county parcel page to make sure a payment posts on time (AZDOR).
Avoid penalties and interest
Delinquent property taxes in Arizona accrue interest at 16 percent per year simple. Interest begins the first day of each month after the delinquency date and is applied before principal when you make a payment. This interest cannot be waived except in narrow circumstances set by statute (Maricopa County Treasurer).
Counties accept partial payments before delinquency, subject to statutory minimums. After delinquency, interest still applies to unpaid balances, and payments are applied to interest first, then tax. Review the state summary for partial payment rules and minimums (Arizona Legislature summary).
If taxes go unpaid
If taxes remain unpaid, the treasurer advertises and offers the tax lien at the annual auction, typically held in February. A lien purchaser pays the delinquent taxes and bids down the interest rate. You can redeem the lien by paying the taxes, interest, and fees during the statutory redemption period. After three years from the sale, the certificate holder may begin foreclosure under state law. For background on the process, see Arizona’s statutes and the county’s annual report (Arizona Revised Statutes Title 42, Maricopa Treasurer Annual Report).
Relief programs and appeals
Some owners qualify for valuation relief programs through the Maricopa County Assessor. One of the most common is the Senior Valuation Protection program, which can freeze taxable value for qualifying owners 65 and older who meet income and residency criteria. The application window typically runs January 1 through September 1 for the tax year. Review eligibility, documentation, and deadlines on the assessor’s site (Maricopa Assessor Valuation Relief).
Arizona also offers a state property tax credit for certain low-income homeowners and qualifying renters using Form 140PTC. Check eligibility and annual filing deadlines using trusted state resources and consumer guides (Arizona property tax credit overview).
Appealing your valuation
You will receive a Notice of Valuation from the Maricopa County Assessor that lists your appeal deadline. Appeal windows can vary by notice type, so rely on the date printed on your notice and follow the county’s instructions. If needed, you can escalate through the State Board of Equalization or to Tax Court within statutory timeframes. Filing an appeal does not delay the tax payment schedule, so pay on time while your appeal proceeds (State Board of Equalization appeal guide).
Quick homeowner checklist
- Mark the big dates: Oct 1 and Mar 1. Add the county’s adjusted delinquency dates to your calendar.
- Verify escrow: Confirm your servicer’s plan and watch the parcel page to ensure payment posts.
- Choose eCheck: Use the online portal and select eCheck to avoid card fees.
- Plan for cutoff times: Submit online payments at least 1 to 3 business days early.
- Missed Oct 1? Pay the full year by Dec 31 to avoid interest on the first half.
- Review relief: Check senior, exemption, and credit options and note application windows.
- Watch your valuation notice: If you disagree, file by the printed deadline and keep taxes current.
If you are planning a move, a clean handle on property tax timing helps you budget, avoid penalties, and sidestep last-minute surprises. When you want a smart plan for your next purchase or sale in Phoenix, we are here to help. Reach out to Steck Residential for local guidance tailored to your goals.
FAQs
When are Maricopa property taxes due?
- Arizona bills in two halves: first half due Oct 1, delinquent after Nov 1 at 5 p.m.; second half due Mar 1, delinquent after May 1 at 5 p.m., with business-day adjustments as posted by the county (AZDOR, Maricopa County Treasurer).
What if I miss the October 1 deadline in Phoenix?
- You can avoid interest on the first installment by paying the full year by Dec 31, per the county’s annual calendar guidelines (Maricopa County Treasurer).
How much is the late interest for Maricopa property taxes?
- Delinquent taxes accrue 16 percent per year simple interest, applied first before principal, with limited waiver exceptions set by statute (Maricopa County Treasurer).
Can I pay Maricopa property taxes online without extra fees?
- Yes. Pay by eCheck/ACH through the treasurer’s portal to avoid convenience fees. Credit and debit cards include third-party fees; check the Payment Guide for current rates (Payment Guide).
What if my mortgage company escrows my Phoenix property taxes?
- Servicers typically pay when taxes are escrowed, but you remain responsible if payment is missed. Confirm with your servicer and monitor your parcel record (AZDOR).
What happens if I do not pay my Maricopa taxes?
- Interest and fees accrue, the county may auction the tax lien in February, and after the statutory period a certificate holder can pursue foreclosure. You can redeem the lien by paying taxes, interest, and fees within the redemption window (Arizona Revised Statutes Title 42, Maricopa Treasurer Annual Report).
