2025 Scottsdale Property Tax Rates

Understanding property taxes empowers everyone in Scottsdale’s real estate market. Whether you’re a seasoned agent guiding clients or a homeowner staying informed, knowing the ins and outs of Scottsdale property tax makes all the difference. This guide breaks down the essentials of 2025 property taxes in Scottsdale, Arizona, providing the clarity you need.

What are property taxes?

Simply put, these are ad valorem taxes. This means they are based on the assessed value of real estate and other personal property. These taxes primarily fund local government services. These services include schools, infrastructure, public safety, and parks. When you own property, you directly contribute to your community’s well-being and development through these taxes.

How are property taxes in Scottsdale calculated?

Calculating your property tax in Scottsdale, Arizona, involves a multi-layered approach. Both Maricopa County and the City of Scottsdale, along with other entities, levy taxes. First, the Maricopa County Assessor determines your property’s Full Cash Value (FCV). Typically, this is based on recent sales of comparable properties. They also calculate the Limited Property Value (LPV). The LPV is often lower than the FCV and serves as the value for tax purposes, with Arizona law capping annual increases.

Next, the Arizona Legislature sets the specific percentage for calculating the Assessed Value for each property class (e.g., residential, commercial). This percentage is applied to both the FCV and the LPV to determine the Assessed Value. Then, various taxing jurisdictions multiply this Assessed Value by their combined tax rates.

These jurisdictions include:

• Maricopa County: The county levies its own property tax rates. These rates fund county-level services.
• City of Scottsdale: The city establishes its primary and secondary property tax rates. These rates fund city-specific services and debt.
• School Districts: Elementary and high school districts within Scottsdale set their own tax rates.
• Special Districts: Depending on your location, you might also pay taxes to special districts. These taxes support services like fire protection or flood control.

Therefore, to calculate your total property tax bill, the sum of the tax rates from Maricopa County, the City of Scottsdale (primary and secondary), applicable school districts, and any special districts multiplies your property’s Assessed Value. All these rates are expressed in dollars per $100 of assessed value. Understanding this comprehensive process clarifies how Scottsdale calculates your property tax.

Scottsdale property taxes in 2025

Navigating property taxes might seem complex. However, understanding the fundamentals in Scottsdale, Arizona, is straightforward. Let’s delve into how they operate in this vibrant city. The City of Scottsdale held a public hearing on the proposed FY 2025/26 property tax levy on June 10, 2025. This hearing was a key step in establishing these rates.

What are the current Scottsdale property tax rates?

For the fiscal year 2025/26, the proposed property tax rates in Scottsdale are as follows:

• Primary Property Tax Rate: This rate funds the city’s general operations. Think of police and fire services, parks, libraries, and general government functions. For FY 2025/26, the proposed rate is $0.4891 per $100 of assessed value.
• Secondary Property Tax Rate: This rate specifically pays off the debt from general obligation bonds. It funds infrastructure projects or other long-term investments financed through bonds. For FY 2025/26, the proposed rate is $0.4233 per $100 of assessed value.

In simple terms:

• Primary = Day-to-day city services
• Secondary = Paying off city debts

The combined rate of $0.9124 is the total property tax rate you pay to the city. This rate encompasses both these functions. Note that this combined rate is just for the city of Scottsdale.

Where do my Scottsdale property taxes go?

Understanding where your tax dollars are allocated provides valuable context. In Scottsdale, your property taxes contribute to a variety of essential public services. For every dollar in property taxes paid by Scottsdale property owners, approximately $0.13 goes to city government and city General Obligation debt repayment. The remaining $0.87 is distributed to public schools, Maricopa County, community colleges, and various special districts.

For FY 2025/26, it also includes a $678,687 repayment to the Risk Management Fund for tort liability claim payments made during calendar year 2024. The secondary property tax levy is solely used for retiring the principal and interest on general obligation bonded indebtedness.

Important dates for Scottsdale property taxes

Staying on top of deadlines is vital for property owners. While specific payment dates for 2025 are set by Maricopa County, property taxes in Arizona are generally paid in two installments, typically due in October and March of the following year. Keep an eye out for official notifications from the Maricopa County Treasurer for the precise when are property taxes due dates for 2025. Missing these deadlines can result in penalties and interest.

Will property taxes in Scottsdale rise this year?

While the property tax rates are projected to decrease for FY 2025/26, the total combined property tax levy is forecasted to increase by approximately $1.06 million, from $74.48 million in FY 2024/25 to $75.54 million in FY 2025/26. 

This increase in the total levy is due to factors like the statutory adjustment for the primary levy and increased debt service for the secondary levy, even as the rates per $100 of assessed value decrease due to increased overall assessed property values in the city.

Nearby cities and their property tax rates

While this article focuses on Scottsdale, it’s helpful to understand that property tax rates vary across different cities within Maricopa County. Factors like the level of services provided and the financial needs of each municipality and its districts contribute to these differences. For instance, comparing Maricopa County property tax rates by city can reveal variations that might be relevant for clients considering different locations.

• Buckeye: 1.6077
• Chandler: 0.2126
• Glendale: 0.3328
• Goodyear: 0.9257
• Phoenix: 1.2658
• Queen Creek: 1.6314

Getting a handle on Scottsdale property taxes

For real estate agents, a solid understanding of Scottsdale property taxes is a valuable asset. Being able to explain the basics of what are property taxes in Scottsdale Arizona, how they are calculated (including the role of the Arizona Legislature in setting the Assessed Value percentage), and important deadlines can build trust with clients. Resources like the Maricopa County Treasurer’s Tax Guide can be excellent tools for both agents and homeowners seeking detailed information. 

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