What are Maricopa County property taxes due?
The first half of your Maricopa County property tax bill is due October 1 and becomes delinquent after November 1. The second half is due the following March 1 and becomes delinquent after May 1. You can also pay the full year in one payment by December 31 if you’d rather not split it. Missing a due date triggers a steep penalty, so it’s worth knowing exactly where you stand if you’re a homeowner, or mid-transaction as a buyer or seller.
By Teresa Hague | October 2, 2026
If you own a home anywhere in the Phoenix metro — Scottsdale, the East Valley, the West Valley, or Phoenix itself — your property tax bill just became due, whether you’ve gotten around to opening the envelope or not. Here’s exactly what the deadlines mean and what happens if you miss one.
The Two Due Dates You Need to Know
Maricopa County splits the annual property tax bill into two installments:
- First half: due October 1, delinquent after November 1
- Second half: due March 1, delinquent after May 1
If you’d rather handle it in one shot, you can pay the full year’s bill by December 31 instead of splitting it into two payments.
Most homeowners with a mortgage never think about this because their lender collects property tax as part of their monthly payment and pays it through an escrow account on their behalf. If that’s your setup, this is mostly a non-event for you — though it’s still worth confirming with your lender that the payment actually went through, rather than assuming.
If you own your home outright, or your loan doesn’t include an escrow account for taxes, this one’s on you to handle directly.
What Happens If You Miss the Deadline
Arizona doesn’t go easy on late property tax payments. Once a payment becomes delinquent, it accrues a penalty of 16% per year, calculated at 1.33% per month, starting the day after the due date.
That adds up fast, and it compounds the longer the bill goes unpaid. Left unresolved long enough, the county can place a lien on the property, and in serious, prolonged cases of non-payment, it can lead to a tax lien sale. None of that happens overnight, but it’s also not something you want hanging over a home you’re trying to sell or refinance.
Why This Matters More If You’re Buying or Selling Right Now
Property taxes don’t pause for a transaction in progress. If you’re closing on a home sale around this due date, here’s how it typically plays out:
As a seller, you’re usually credited or debited for your share of the year’s property taxes up to the closing date, prorated at the title company based on the closing date — this gets sorted out in your closing statement rather than requiring a separate payment on your part in most cases.
As a buyer, you’ll see prorated property taxes show up on your closing disclosure, representing your share of the current tax year from your closing date forward. It’s a normal part of understanding your Arizona closing costs, not an extra fee tacked on. (Link “understanding your Arizona closing costs” to: https://citiea.com/blog/arizona-closing-costs-explained)
If you’re mid-transaction right now, your title company is handling the proration math, but it’s worth asking your agent or escrow officer directly whether the first-half installment has been accounted for, especially if your closing date lands close to October 1.
How to Pay (and Confirm Your Mortgage Lender Already Did)
If you’re paying directly, Maricopa County accepts payments online, by mail, and in person through the County Treasurer’s office. If your lender escrows for taxes, log into your mortgage servicer’s portal or call them directly to confirm the first-half payment has been made — don’t assume silence means it’s handled.
Either way, don’t let this slip past November 1. A 16% annualized penalty is a lot to pay for a bill you likely budgeted for all along.
If you’re weighing whether this is a good time to sell and want to understand exactly how your property taxes and other costs get handled at closing, that’s a conversation worth having before you list, not after you’re under contract. Reach out and we’ll walk you through it.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the first half of Maricopa County property tax due?
October 1, and it becomes delinquent after November 1. The second half is due the following March 1 and becomes delinquent after May 1.
What happens if I pay my Maricopa County property tax late?
Late payments accrue a penalty of 16% per year (1.33% per month), starting the day after the due date. Prolonged non-payment can eventually lead to a lien on the property.
Can I pay my Maricopa County property taxes in one payment instead of two?
Yes. You can pay the entire year’s bill by December 31 instead of splitting it into the two standard installments.
Does my mortgage lender pay my property taxes for me?
If your loan includes an escrow account for taxes and insurance, yes — your lender collects a portion with your monthly payment and pays the county on your behalf. It’s still worth confirming the payment was made rather than assuming.
How are property taxes handled if I’m buying or selling a home around the due date?
Property taxes are prorated between the buyer and seller based on the closing date, and this is reflected on the closing statement your title company prepares — it’s a standard part of closing, not a surprise fee.
About Teresa Hague
Sell the easy way. Teresa Hague and the CITIEA team help Greater Phoenix homeowners sell their homes for 6.3% more money on average and 41% faster than the MLS average, backed by almost a billion dollars in annual home sales across the Phoenix metro market. Better marketing, more exposure, stronger results — see why Greater Phoenix homeowners choose CITIEA to sell faster and for thousands more.
