FLORENCE – It’s not everyone’s favorite correspondence to arrive in the mail, but Pinal County’s property tax bill will have a new look to it when it arrives in mid-September.
 
Instead of the somewhat bulky property tax bill that had been sent out for the last several years, the new notice will be letter sized and have blue highlights.
 
“The new tax notice is much skinnier,” said Treasurer Dodie Doolittle.  “It will come in a regular envelope that will have the words: ‘Real Property Tax Notice Enclosed’ printed on the front.”
 
The reason for the change was simple – the equipment used to print the larger sized tax bills is no longer operational.  Treasurer Doolittle and her staff worked with the printer to come up with a letter-sized document that would include the same information as the older bill.
 
“We’re pretty happy with the new design,” Doolittle said.  “The only real changes the property owner will see are the school primary and secondary tax rates will be further explained on the back page of the notice.  The bill will now only have two coupons for payment instead of three.  The first coupon can be used for the first half payment or full year payment”
 
The new bills will be printed and mailed out September 8 and 9.  The notice should arrive the following week.
 
Treasurer Doolittle advised that property owners could receive their tax notices by email if they desire. 
 
“It would save them time and save us money,” Doolittle said.  “It’s a very simple thing to do.”
 
To receive your property tax notice by email, submit a change of address on the Treasurer website www.pinalcountyaz.gov/treasurer or provide an email address on the back of the payment coupon.
 
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Frequently Asked Questions:
 
Q: How much does Pinal County get out of my tax bill?
A: Did you know that Pinal County taxes make up only 25 to 30 percent of your tax bill?  The remainder of your tax bill is made up of taxes assessed by schools districts, Central Arizona College, fire districts and other special taxing districts.
 
Q: Did the Supervisors raise our tax rate?
A: The Pinal County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to keep the tax rate steady at $3.99 per $100.00 of assessed valuation.
 
Q: I heard the Assessor will include an affidavit asking if this home is owner occupied or vacant land.  Is that true?
A: Not this time.  Per a new law passed by the Arizona Legislature, the Assessor’s Office will be sending out an affidavit with assessed valuation notices starting in March 2012.  The affidavit will ask if properties are owner occupied.  The new law seeks to ensure that all class 3 properties are owner occupied or rented to a qualified family member, as defined by A.R.S. § 42-12053(2.  This law goes into effect in 2013.
 
Q: How can I pay my tax bill?
A: Tax Payments will be accepted in the form of cash, check, money order, cashier's check, e-mail, or electronic wire transfers. Please contact the Pinal County Treasurer at (520) 866-6425 for wire instructions.
 
Q: How much of my tax bill goes to state cost shifts?
A: Out of the $3.99 tax rate, nearly .24 cents goes to fund those cost shifts.