Surprise Property Tax Records
Surprise property tax records can be searched through Maricopa County offices that handle all billing and collection for this fast growing city in the West Valley. The City of Surprise sets its own tax rates, but the county does the actual work of assessing land values and collecting payments. You can look up any parcel in Surprise to see its assessed value, current tax bill, and payment history. Most searches take just a few minutes online. The county assessor tracks property details while the treasurer handles bills and payments. Both offices serve all Surprise residents from their Phoenix location.
Surprise Property Tax Quick Facts
Surprise Property Tax System
The City of Surprise has both a primary property tax and a secondary property tax. Primary taxes fund general city operations like police, fire, and parks. Secondary taxes pay for voter-approved bonds and debt service. Together these make up the city portion of your total tax bill. The current primary rate is $0.5532 per $100 of assessed value. The secondary rate sits at $0.3880 per $100.
But here is the key thing to know. Surprise does not collect these taxes directly. Maricopa County handles all property tax billing and collection for the entire county. When you get your tax bill, it lists each taxing district that gets a share. The city is one line on that bill. Schools often take the biggest chunk. Fire districts and community colleges also show up. The county treasurer sends one bill that covers everything.
Your property value comes from the Maricopa County Assessor. Each year in February, the assessor mails a Notice of Value to every property owner. This shows the Full Cash Value and Limited Property Value for your home or land. The limited value is what actually determines your tax bill. It can only go up 5% per year under state law, which helps keep tax bills from jumping too fast when home prices surge.
Surprise Tax Rates and Information
The City of Surprise posts its tax information on the official city website. You can view current and past tax rates there. The page explains how property taxes work and where your money goes. It also has links to the county offices that actually handle your tax records.
Check the City of Surprise Tax Information page for the latest rates and details on how the city uses property tax funds.
Tax rates in Surprise compare well to other West Valley cities. The combined city rate of about $0.94 per $100 is lower than some neighboring areas. But remember that the city rate is just one part of your bill. School districts often add $3 or more per $100. The total rate depends on exactly where in Surprise your property sits and which districts serve that area.
Maricopa County Assessor Records for Surprise
The Maricopa County Assessor values all property in Surprise. This office tracks more than 1.8 million parcels across the county with a total value over one trillion dollars. Surprise properties make up a growing share of that total as the city keeps adding new homes and businesses.
You can search Surprise property records on the assessor website at no cost. Type in an address to pull up the parcel record. You will see the legal description, lot size, and building details. The site shows assessed values for the current year and past years. Maps let you view parcel lines and lot dimensions. Sales history shows what the property last sold for and when. All of this data is public record.
Call the assessor at 602-506-3406 with questions about your Surprise 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. You can also sign up for eNotices to get your Notice of Value by email instead of waiting for the mail.
Note: The assessor sets your property value but does not take tax payments. Contact the treasurer for billing questions.
Maricopa County Treasurer Services for Surprise
The Maricopa County Treasurer sends tax bills and collects payments for Surprise properties. Bills go out each September. You can view your bill online any time. The website shows what you owe, when it is due, and your payment history going back several years.
Surprise residents have several ways to pay property taxes. E-check is free and the cheapest option. Debit cards cost 1.80% of the amount paid. Credit cards run 2.25%, which includes Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. You can also use PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay, or Google Pay for 2.25%. Pick what works best for your budget. The county accepts payments online, by mail, or in person at the Phoenix office.
Reach the treasurer at 602-506-8511. The office sits at 301 W Jefferson St, Suite 100 in Phoenix. Mail goes to PO Box 52133, Phoenix AZ 85072-2133. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The drive from Surprise to downtown Phoenix takes about 40 minutes depending on traffic, so most people handle things online or by mail.
Surprise Property Tax Payment Deadlines
Property taxes in Surprise follow the same schedule as the rest of Maricopa County. Bills come out in September. You can pay in two halves or all at once by December 31. Missing a deadline means paying interest at 16% per year.
The key dates are:
- October 1: First half payment due
- November 3: First half becomes delinquent
- December 31: Last day to pay full year interest free
- March 1: Second half payment due
- May 1: Second half becomes delinquent
That 16% interest rate adds up fast. On a $4,000 tax bill, one month late costs you about $53 in interest. Two months adds another $53. The county does not send reminders as deadlines approach. Mark your calendar when you get your September bill. Check the treasurer website before each deadline to confirm your payment went through.
Surprise Property Tax Appeals
Think your Surprise property is valued too high? You can appeal. Start by filing with the Maricopa County Assessor within 60 days of when your Notice of Value was mailed. Use ADOR Form 82130 for residential property. The assessor reviews your case and may agree to lower the value.
If the assessor denies your appeal, you have options. File with the County Board of Equalization within 25 days of the decision. Or go straight to Tax Court within 60 days. Most Surprise homeowners start with the board since it costs less and moves faster. Save Tax Court for complex cases or expensive properties where you need a formal ruling.
Build your case with solid evidence. Pull sales data for similar homes in your Surprise neighborhood. If your home has problems like a bad roof or foundation issues, document them with photos. The board wants facts. A well prepared appeal gets better results than just saying you think the value is wrong.
Note: You can only appeal the Full Cash Value or property classification. The Limited Property Value formula is set by state law and cannot be appealed except for math errors.
Surprise Property Tax Exemptions
Surprise residents may qualify for property tax exemptions through Maricopa County. Veterans with a 100% service-connected disability can get a full exemption on their primary home. This benefit started January 1, 2026, and covers the entire property tax bill. Other veterans with lower disability ratings may also get partial exemptions.
The Senior Freeze Program helps older homeowners on fixed incomes. If you meet the age and income limits, you can lock in your property value for three years. Your taxes stay flat even if Surprise home values climb. Apply through the assessor using ADOR Form 82104. You must reapply after three years if you still qualify.
Widows, widowers, and people with total permanent disabilities also have exemption options. Call the assessor at 602-506-3406 to learn what you might qualify for. Exemptions only work if you apply. The county does not give them out automatically. You must file the right forms and prove you meet the rules.
Online Surprise Property Tax Search
You can search Surprise property tax records from home using Maricopa County online tools. The assessor website has a parcel search that works by address, owner name, or parcel number. Type in the info and pull up the full record in seconds. You can see property values, lot details, building specs, and sales history.
The county GIS map viewer shows parcel lines on an interactive map. Zoom in on any Surprise neighborhood to find parcel numbers and basic property info. Click any parcel to see the owner name and values. This tool helps when you know where a property is but not its exact address.
For tax bills and payment records, use the treasurer parcel search tool. Enter your parcel number to see current and past bills. The site shows payment status and lets you pay online if you owe taxes. You can also set up eNotices to get alerts when your bill is ready.
Nearby Cities
Surprise sits in the West Valley of Maricopa County. Several other cities are close by. All share the same county assessor and treasurer for property tax records. But each city sets its own tax rates.
Cities near Surprise with pages on this site:
If you own property in more than one city, each parcel has its own tax bill based on where it sits. The county handles all of them through the same offices. You can search any Maricopa County parcel on the same website no matter which city it is in.