Property Tax Lawyers in Phoenix
In Phoenix, Arizona, the government imposes a tax (a legally-mandated payment made to the government) on real property. "Real property" is defined as any piece of land, or object permanently or semi-permanently affixed to the land (such as buildings, trees, minerals, etc.).
Property taxes in Phoenix, Arizona are measured as a percentage of the appraised value of the property. Property taxes are paid to the state or local government at regular (often yearly) intervals.
Federal authorities do not collect a property tax. Only state and local governments collect property taxes, as a general matter.
How Property Tax is Calculated in Phoenix, Arizona
Most often, property taxes in Phoenix, Arizona are simply a set percentage of the property's value. Across the country, state authorities impose a wide range of different tax rates. The highest rates in the country are in the area of 5% of the property's value, and the lowest are less than 1%.
In order to impose this tax, the government of Phoenix, Arizona first has to determine the taxable value of a piece of property.
Value is subjective in many respects. The home that you grew up in is probably worth more to you than its going market rate. Thus, to ensure that property taxes are fair and uniform, tax collectors have to use purely objective factors when appraising property.
Consequently, the people in charge of appraising the value of property in Phoenix, Arizona have to consider only objective, factual criteria when calculating the value of a piece of land. These criteria include the state of the real estate market, the zoning of the land (which determines how it can be used), and any improvements that have been made to the land, among other things.
How A Phoenix, Arizona Property Tax Attorney Can Help.
The system of levying property taxes in Phoenix, Arizona can get fairly confusing. Disputes about property taxes, between the taxpayer and the tax authorities, can come up in various different ways. A taxpayer may believe that an error was made in calculating their property's taxable value, resulting in bigger tax bill. Additionally, the state or city government might allege that you have failed to pay your property taxes, while you believe that you have.
If you run into any issue with your Phoenix, Arizona property taxes, failing to handle it properly can result in anything from unnecessary inconvenience to considerable fines and tax penalties. However, with the help of a Phoenix, Arizona tax attorney, your chances of running into a property tax problem can be minimized.