Mesa Property Tax Records
Mesa property tax records are kept by Maricopa County, not the city itself. Arizona cities do not bill or collect property taxes. The county assessor sets values on all Mesa parcels while the treasurer sends bills and takes payments. Mesa stands out from many Arizona cities in one way. The city does not levy a primary property tax for daily operations. Instead, Mesa relies on sales tax for general funds. But Mesa does collect a secondary property tax to pay for bonds that voters have approved over the years. You can search your Mesa property tax records online through the county websites at any time of day or night.
Mesa Property Tax Quick Facts
How Mesa Property Taxes Work
Property taxes in Mesa are billed and collected by Maricopa County. The city has no role in setting values or sending bills. This setup is standard across Arizona. Counties handle all property tax work. Cities just set their own rates, which get added to the county bill along with school districts and other taxing entities.
Mesa uses a unique tax structure compared to other big Arizona cities. The city does not charge a primary property tax. Primary taxes fund day to day city services like police, fire, and parks. Mesa pays for these through sales tax instead. This keeps the property tax burden lower for Mesa homeowners. The trade off is that sales tax rates in Mesa tend to run higher than in some nearby cities.
The city does levy a secondary property tax. Secondary taxes pay for bonds and debt. When Mesa voters approve a bond measure for roads, parks, or public buildings, the secondary tax pays it off over time. For fiscal year 2025-26, the Mesa secondary tax rate is $0.8582 per $100 of assessed value. On a home valued at $300,000 with a 10% assessment ratio, that works out to about $257 per year in city secondary taxes alone.
Mesa Property Tax Assessment Records
The Maricopa County Assessor values all property in Mesa. This office tracks over 1.8 million parcels across the county, and Mesa makes up a large share of that total. The assessor sets two values for each parcel. Full Cash Value shows what the home would sell for on the market. Limited Property Value is used to figure out your tax bill. Arizona law caps how fast the limited value can rise, which helps keep tax bills from jumping too high in hot real estate markets.
You can call the assessor at 602-506-3406 with questions about your Mesa property value. The main office is at 301 W Jefferson Street in Phoenix. Hours run Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The website lets you search any Mesa parcel by address or owner name. You can see lot size, square footage, year built, and sale history. The site also shows your property class and any exemptions on file.
Each year the assessor mails a Notice of Value to Mesa property owners. This notice arrives in February. It shows your new values for the coming tax year. If you think the value is too high, you have 60 days to file an appeal. The notice lists the exact deadline. Act fast since late appeals get rejected no matter how strong your case may be.
Note: The assessor office can answer questions about values but cannot change your tax bill directly.
Mesa Property Tax Payment Records
The Maricopa County Treasurer handles all Mesa property tax billing. Tax statements go out each September. Your bill lists all the taxing districts that get a share of your payment. Schools usually take the biggest chunk. The Mesa secondary tax shows up as a separate line item.
Contact the treasurer at 602-506-8511. The office is at 301 W Jefferson St, Suite 100, Phoenix AZ 85003. You can also mail payments to PO Box 52133, Phoenix AZ 85072-2133. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. But you do not need to visit in person. The website lets you search your bill and pay online any time.
Payment options offer some flexibility. E-check costs nothing extra. Debit cards run 1.80% of the payment. Credit cards cost 2.25%, and that includes Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. Digital wallets like PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay, and Google Pay also work but charge 2.25%. Most Mesa homeowners save money by paying with e-check since the fee is zero.
Arizona Property Tax Information
The Arizona Department of Revenue oversees property tax rules across the state. This office does not keep records on specific Mesa parcels. That job falls to the county. But ADOR sets the policies that all counties must follow. They publish guides, forms, and FAQs that explain how the system works.
Mesa property owners can find useful info on the ADOR site. The forms page has appeal petitions if you want to challenge your value. The FAQ section explains exemptions for seniors, veterans, and disabled residents. You can reach ADOR at 602-716-6843 or email PropertyTax@azdor.gov with questions about state tax rules.
Mesa Property Tax Deadlines
Property taxes in Mesa follow the same schedule as all Maricopa County parcels. The county sends bills in September. You can pay in two halves or all at once. Missing a deadline triggers interest charges that add up fast.
The first half is due October 1. It becomes delinquent if not paid by November 3 at 5 p.m. The second half is due March 1 and turns delinquent after May 1. If you want to pay the full year, do it by December 31 to avoid any interest. Once you miss a deadline, you owe 16% annual interest. That works out to about 1.33% per month. On a $2,000 tax bill, one month late costs an extra $27. Two months adds another $27. It stacks up quick.
Key dates for Mesa property owners:
- October 1: First half payment due
- November 3: First half goes delinquent
- December 31: Full year payment deadline
- March 1: Second half payment due
- May 1: Second half goes delinquent
Mark these on your calendar. The county does not send reminders as deadlines approach. Check your bill in September and set a plan to pay on time.
Mesa Property Tax Appeals
If your Mesa property value seems too high, you can file an appeal with the Maricopa County Assessor. The deadline is 60 days from when the Notice of Value was mailed. Use ADOR Form 82130 for real property. The assessor will review your claim. They may lower the value if you show good evidence.
What counts as good evidence? Sales of similar homes in your Mesa neighborhood help a lot. If five houses on your block sold for $350,000 but the assessor values yours at $425,000, that gap matters. Photos of damage or needed repairs also support your case. The assessor wants facts, not guesses. A strong appeal with solid data has the best chance of success.
If the assessor denies your appeal, you have more options. File with the County Board of Equalization within 25 days. The board acts like a judge and can change your value. You can also skip the board and go straight to Tax Court within 60 days of the assessor's decision. Most Mesa homeowners start with the board since it costs less and moves faster than court.
Mesa Property Tax Exemptions
Mesa residents may qualify for property tax exemptions that cut their bill. Veterans with a 100% service-connected disability can get a full exemption on their home. This rule took effect January 1, 2026. The exemption only applies to your primary residence. Other vets with disability ratings may qualify for partial breaks too.
The Senior Freeze Program helps older homeowners on fixed incomes. If you meet the age and income limits, the assessor locks your property value for three years. Prices in Mesa can rise fast, but your taxes stay flat. Apply through the assessor using ADOR Form 82104. The program renews if you still qualify after three years end.
Widows, widowers, and people with total permanent disabilities can also claim exemptions. Contact the Maricopa County Assessor at 602-506-3406 to find out if you qualify. Exemptions only work if you apply. The county will not give them out on its own.
Mesa Property Tax Rates
Mesa has a unique tax setup among large Arizona cities. The city charges no primary property tax. Zero. Most cities use primary taxes to fund police, fire, and parks. Mesa funds these services through sales tax instead. This keeps property tax bills lower for homeowners.
Mesa does charge a secondary property tax. The FY 2025-26 rate is $0.8582 per $100 of assessed value. Secondary taxes pay for bonds that voters approved. Road projects, park improvements, and public facilities all get funded this way. When you vote yes on a Mesa bond measure, your secondary tax rate may rise to cover the debt.
Your total property tax bill includes more than just the city rate. Schools take the largest share. Maricopa County adds its own levy. Special districts for flood control, library, and community college also appear on your bill. The Mesa portion is just one piece of a larger total. Check the City of Mesa property tax page for current rate details and budget info.
Nearby Cities in Maricopa County
Mesa sits in the East Valley of the Phoenix metro area. Several other large cities are close by. All of them pay property taxes through the same Maricopa County offices. If you own property in more than one city, you deal with the same assessor and treasurer for all your parcels.
Nearby cities with pages on this site:
Each city sets its own primary and secondary tax rates. Gilbert, like Mesa, does not charge a primary property tax. Phoenix, Chandler, Scottsdale, and Tempe all have both primary and secondary levies. Compare rates if you are shopping for a home in the East Valley. Property taxes vary quite a bit from city to city.
Maricopa County Property Tax Resources
Since all Mesa property taxes run through the county, the Maricopa County property tax page has more details on how to search records, pay bills, and file appeals. The county assessor and treasurer both offer online tools that let you look up any Mesa parcel in minutes.
The assessor site has a GIS map viewer where you can find parcel numbers and lot lines. The treasurer site shows your current bill and payment history. Both are free to use. You do not need to create an account for basic searches. Just type in an address or owner name and the records pop up. These tools work for any property in Mesa or anywhere else in Maricopa County.