Tucson is a beautiful Southwestern city with great real estate potential and opportunities to generate leads. If you’re listing a home or helping a buyer in Tucson, knowing an estimate of your client’s property taxes can prevent sour surprises in their budget.
Are you a homebuyer or real estate agent who needs to know information on property tax in Tucson, Arizona? Keep reading for details and important dates related to paying property taxes in “The Old Pueblo.”
Tucson property tax 2022
Tucson is known for delicious Southwestern dishes, gorgeous resorts, and some of the cleanest air of any city in the world. It’s the largest city in Pima County, with approximately 550,000 people. Tucson is a great place for nature lovers, as both residents and tourists alike adore sightseeing saguaro forests, canyons, and stunning mountain views.
Residents can also enjoy visits to the Tucson Botanical Garden, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, and the historic Mission San Xavier del Bac. Tucson has a prominent “cowboy culture,” with Western celebrations such as the Rodeo Parade and La Fiesta de los Vaqueros.
Tucson is also the home of the University of Arizona, with over 50,000 enrolled students. It was the first university in Arizona and continues to thrive as a globally-recognized school and one of the top employers in Tucson.
Tucson’s housing market is slightly competitive. The median sale price of homes is $300,000, selling in an average of 61 days—16 more days than December 2021. Most homes on the market have at least two offers before being sold.
The property tax rate for Tucson varies, depending on what school district you live in and any additional secondary taxes. You can expect your property tax rate to be around $13.92 to $16.09 per $100 of assessed value, but you’ll want to review your tax bill through the Pima County Treasurer’s Office for an exact total. On average, the total Pima County taxes are $13.81 per $100 assessed value.
Will Tucson property tax rates rise?
Pima County announced a slight decrease in property tax rates for 2023 from $5.1952 per $100 to $5.062 per $100. That said, depending on where you live in Tucson, you may see higher or lower taxes based on the additional school district and secondary taxes.
Also, if your property is assessed at a higher value than the previous year, you will likely have to pay higher property taxes regardless of the decrease. Rising rates have been attributed to the spike in home permits, with over 5,000 permits granted in 2021 alone.
Tax rates in surrounding areas
For a better idea of Tucson and Pima County’s property tax rates versus surrounding areas, we have a short list of nearby areas to compare (per $100 assessed value):
- Santa Cruz: $13.66
- Yuma: $12.19
- Cochise: $12.02
- Pinal: $13.58
- Maricopa: $10.82
What does property tax revenue fund in Pima County?
Property taxes fund essential services you use every day. Pima County collects property taxes from Tucson and other county residents. Property taxes fund 26% of the annual fiscal budget. The collected property tax is distributed to:
- Schools
- Libraries
- Road maintenance
- Public transportation
- County employee salaries
- Cities within the county
- Redevelopment
Recently, Pima County has devoted its 2023 $1.93 billion budget to road repairs and a brand new Medical Examiner building.
Important information to know when moving to Tucson, AZ
If your property tax bill is over $100, you can pay it in two installments; the first on October 1st and the second on March 1st. Anything $100 or less is due by no later than November 1st.
Any unpaid or delinquent balances will have interest added. Questions and other information can be found by visiting the Pima County Treasurer or the Pima County Assessor’s Office websites. You can also pay your Pima County property tax online.
Some property owners may qualify for valuation relief programs or homeowner assistance programs from the Arizona Department of Housing. Valuation relief programs apply to certain individuals (disabled, widows/widowers) or nonprofits like educational or religious organizations.
Tucson’s housing and other expenses (groceries, utilities, gas, etc.) are 3% above the national average. The average salary in Tucson is $51,380, a bit under the national average of $54,132. Additionally, the city is very car-dependent, meaning walking to your destination is not accessible as driving or biking.
The sales tax in Tucson combines Tucson’s 2.6% city tax, Pima County’s 0.5% tax, and Arizona’s 5.6% tax for a total of 8.7%.
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