Surprise, Arizona Property Tax Law
In Surprise, 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 adhered to the land (such as buildings, trees, minerals, etc.).
Property taxes in Surprise, Arizona are calculated as a percentage of the appraised value of the property. Property taxes are paid to the state or local government at regular (usually 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 Surprise, Arizona
Most often, property taxes in Surprise, 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%.
To levy this tax, Surprise, Arizona tax authorities must first figure out how much a house or piece of land is worth.
In some ways, value is a subjective thing. For example, the home in which you grew up is probably worth far more to you than its market value. To get around this, the government uses nothing but objective factors in determining how much a piece of real property is worth.
To that end, the Surprise, Arizona employees in charge of appraising land look at objective facts to calculate value, like the size of the land and any buildings on it, the way in which the land may legally be used (zoning), and the health of the local real estate market.
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How A Surprise, Arizona Property Tax Attorney Can Help.
The system of levying property taxes in Surprise, Arizona can get fairly complex. Disputes about property taxes, between the taxpayer and the tax authorities, can come up in several different ways. A taxpayer may believe that an error was made in calculating their property's taxable value, resulting in bigger tax bill. Also, the state or city government might allege that you have failed to pay your property taxes, while you believe that you have.
If you are involved in a property tax dispute with the tax authorities of Surprise, Arizona, you should seek the advice of a Surprise, Arizona tax attorney. Your attorney can help you prevent a small tax problem from turning into something much bigger and more expensive than it needs to be.
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Life in Surprise
Surprise is located in Maricopa County, Arizona. Its population is one of the fastest-growing in the state- it went from 30,000 in the year 2000 up to 90,000 by the year 2007. The city was founded in 1938 and was named after Surprise, Nebraska.Surprise is a popular destination for those seeking residential opportunities, in particular retirement homes. In fact, much of the city's population growth can be attributed to Sun City Grand, which is a resort-like, age-restricted residential community. The community is a large contributor to Surprise's population and economy.
Warm weather and modern sports facilities make Surprise an ideal location for those who love sports. For example, the city maintains an outstanding Recreation Campus. The Campus houses the Surprise Tennis and Racket Complex (STRC), which has received several awards. STRC is often the site for important professional matches.
If you have a legal claim, lawyers in Surprise, Arizona will usually file the claim at the Surprise Municipal Court. The municipal court hears civil matters as well as criminal misdemeanor cases. Surprise lawyers can provide you with advice or representation on a variety of legal issues.