While this shows a specific example, you may not find the same breakdown of tax levies where you live. You can see that Maricopa County takes a cut, as do local school districts and colleges, the library and the fire department. To get an idea of where your property tax money might go, take a look at the breakdown of property taxes in Avondale, Arizona. For the latter group, this means funding all county services through property taxes. While some states provide state funds for county projects, other states leave counties to levy and use taxes fully at their discretion. You may have noticed already that the best public schools are typically in municipalities with high home values and high property taxes. They account for most of the revenue needed to fund infrastructure, public safety and public schools, not to mention the county government itself. While some states don't levy an income tax, all states, as well as Washington, D.C., have property taxes.įor state and local governments, property taxes are necessary to function. In the U.S., property taxes predate even income taxes. In fact, the earliest known record of property taxes dates back to the 6th century B.C. Property taxes are one of the oldest forms of taxation. Simply put, property taxes are taxes levied on real estate by governments, typically on the state, county and local levels. Financial advisors can also help with investing and financial plans, including taxes, retirement, estate planning and more, to make sure you are preparing for the future. Many areas with high property taxes have great amenities, such as good schools and public programs, but you’ll need to have room in your budget for the taxes if you want to live there.Ī financial advisor can help you understand how homeownership fits into your overall financial goals. With property taxes being so variable and location-dependent, you’ll want to take them into account when you’re deciding on where to live. In other places, it can be as high as three to four times your monthly mortgage costs.
In some areas of the country, your annual property tax bill may be less than one month’s mortgage payment. Therefore, your property tax liability depends on where you live and the value of your property. Instead, it’s based on state and county tax levies. What you pay isn’t regulated by the federal government. It’s an expense that doesn’t go away over time and generally increases over the years as your home appreciates in value.
After all, you can rely on receiving a tax bill for as long as you own property. When you purchase a home, you'll need to factor in property taxes as an ongoing cost.
All About Property Taxes The map indicates the relative cost of property taxes across the U.S.