Skip to Content

How to Accurately Calculate Property Taxes

Businessperson Calculating Property Taxes on Calculator

Property tax estimates are much needed for financial planning, legal compliance, and real estate investment budgeting. They help property owners allocate funds, comprehend property value, assess investments, and compare taxes across locations. Calculating property taxes helps in decision-making, and financial management, making certain of your compliance with tax regulations.

Key Numbers to Know

To calculate the property tax for residential real estate, you first need to grasp various vital numbers:

  • Fair Market Value: Represents the value determined in an open and competitive market where buyers and sellers can bargain and reach an agreement. Fair Market Value is a term regularly used in real estate transactions, property assessments, and tax computations.
  • Assessed Value: Connotes the value assigned to a property for taxation purposes by a local tax assessor or property appraiser. It considers the property’s value based on market conditions, property characteristics, and similar transactions. It is used to calculate property tax liabilities, with tax rates applied to the checked or assessed value to know the amount the property owner owes.
  • Mill Levy: The tax rate applied to a property’s assessed It is shown in “mills,” with one mill equal to one-tenth of a cent. The local taxing authority sets the mill levy and specifies the tax amount per dollar of evaluated value.

With these numbers in hand, you can now calculate your property tax.

 

How to Calculate Property Tax

The formula to calculate property tax is this way: Property Tax = Assessed Value × Tax Rate.

Calculate property taxes by multiplying the assessed value by the tax rate set by the local taxing authority. For example, if a property’s estimated value is $200,000 and the mill levy for your area is 4%, the property tax you will likely pay yearly is about $8,000.

 

Alternative Methods

Going in search of local tax assessors or municipality websites is a fast way to find property tax amounts without going through the usual calculating procedure. Property tax lookup tools are mostly available on these websites, enabling users to search for property tax information by inputting the property address.

These internet systems assure precision or accuracy and endow information, namely, examined value, tax rate, and exemptions or deductions. On the other hand, not all jurisdictions do this service or have up-to-date systems, so for the most accurate and up-to-date property tax information, contact the local tax assessor’s office firsthand.

On the basis of the property address and sales price, online property tax calculators sensibly estimate the yearly property tax. These estimates may not particularly represent your property tax liability by reason of unknown or unrecognized exemptions, deductions, and additional valuations.

Ask local tax authorities or professionals for exact and accurate property tax information. Online calculators can give a sound beginning point for projecting your property tax liability, helping you to make educated financial decisions, budget, and analyze house affordability.

 

Real Property Management Northern Arizona bestows investors like you market analyses and other tools to aid you in optimizing the profitability of your properties and investing with confidence in your next income property. Contact us today or give us a call at 928-757-7368 to find out more about what we have to offer.

 

Originally Published on May 21, 2021

We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.

The Neighborly Done Right Promise

The Neighborly Done Right Promise ® delivered by Real Property Management, a proud Neighborly company

When it comes to finding the right property manager for your investment property, you want to know that they stand behind their work and get the job done right – the first time. At Real Property Management we have the expertise, technology, and systems to manage your property the right way. We work hard to optimize your return on investment while preserving your asset and giving you peace of mind. Our highly trained and skilled team works hard so you can be sure your property's management will be Done Right.

Canada excluded. Services performed by independently owned and operated franchises.

See Full Details