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1. When are taxes due?

Taxes are mailed in September for the current calendar year. First half taxes are due October 1, delinquent after November 1. Second half payment is due March 1, delinquent after May 1. You may pay both halves together in a single payment until December 31st and avoid interest. If you miss a deadline you may owe fees plus interest charges of 16% per year prorated monthly.

Call us at 928-428-3440 for information on how to pay.

2. Can I make partial payments on my taxes?

The Treasurer’s Office does accept partial payments on taxes. However, the delinquent dates still apply and interest will be added on any remaining balance. We cannot accept partial payments on taxes that have been through a real property tax sale. In addition, we cannot accept payment on a tax year that has not been billed. 2014 taxes will not be billed until September 2014 and we cannot accept any payments until that time.

Call us at 928-428-3440 for more information on how to pay.

3. Where do I send my tax payment?

First, if the taxes are delinquent, verify the amount due by calling the Treasurer’s Office at 928-428-3440. Make the check payable to the Graham County Treasurer and print your parcel number on the check. Please include the stub from your tax bill. Send your check to:
Graham County Treasurer
Mary Bingham
P.O. Box 747
Safford, AZ 85548

4. Why do my taxes increase?

Tax increases may be a result of increased property value and/or higher budget demands resulting in an increased tax rate. You can tell which taxing authority increased their tax rate by looking at the comparative taxes shown on your tax statement. Increased property value can be a result of many factors. The Assessor’s Office determines your property value based on state guidelines.

5. Why are my taxes more than my friends' when the homes have the same value?

Although some of the taxing districts are county wide, most of the taxes you are assessed are location specific. This is determined by the area code listed on your tax notice. If you live in Safford you will pay for the Safford School District taxes, City of Safford, and possibly the Safford Fire District. The same applies if you live in Thatcher you will pay Thatcher School District, City of Thatcher, Thatcher Fire, Etc. Tax Rates differ from district to district. For example, a home valued at $75,000 will be taxed approximately $876.43 in Safford, $989.71 in Thatcher, and $971.65 in Pima. For more information on tax rates, visit our tax rate page.

6. What is the difference between the primary rate and the secondary rate?

All property taxes are calculated based on the Limited Primary Value (LPV). This is a value established by legislation based on a mathematical formula that limits the amount of increase in a year. Primary property taxes are levied for the maintenance and operation of:

• Cities
• Community College Districts
• Counties
• School Districts
• Towns

Secondary property taxes are levied for special districts, voter approved bonds, and budget overrides.

7. What happens if I don’t pay my property taxes?

There are two different procedures for collecting delinquent property taxes depending on the classification of the property. Interest is assessed by state law at 16% per annum prorated monthly on all property tax.

Personal Property

When this property becomes delinquent, per Arizona Revised Statute, the Sheriff’s Department is responsible to collect the taxes or seize the property for auction.

Secured Property

If the taxes are not paid in full within 13 months of the 1st half delinquent date (January), an advertising fee of 5% or 5 (whichever is greater) is assessed. After 16 months, the Treasurer’s Office offers a tax lien on the property (February). If the tax lien is not redeemed within three years from the date of the sale, the tax lien purchaser may initiate foreclosure proceedings in an effort to obtain a deed to the property.

8. I just purchased / sold this property and am now being told that I am responsible for the full years taxes, why is that?

In a typical home sale / purchase, taxes are prorated and the buyer is given credit for the seller’s portion. You should check with your settlement papers or contact the title company to confirm responsibility. Due to value notification requirements for the Assessor’s Office, the legal name on the property will not reflect the change for at least one billing cycle. If you do not receive a tax bill, please call the Treasurer’s Office at 928-428-3440 for an amount due. Failure to receive a tax bill is not a legal reason for waiving interest.

9. My mortgage company is responsible for paying my taxes. Why did I receive a bill?

Mortgage Companies request the tax bill information electronically. We receive a list in August of parcels that are serviced by mortgage companies. Bills are not printed for these properties. Some mortgage companies do not follow this practice. Since we do not know who is responsible for paying the taxes, we send the bill to the property owner. If you received a tax bill and your mortgage company should pay the bill, please contact your mortgage company to verify that they have received the information. In addition, if you refinance your mortgage and you are now responsible for your taxes, please note the due dates. We only send one bill in September for the two halves. You are welcome to call our office at 928-428-3440 any time to check on the tax status of your property taxes.