Property Taxes

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the general definition of Real Property?
What is the general definition of Personal Property?
When should I expect to receive a bill for Real Property taxes?
When are Real Property Taxes due?
What should I do if I do not receive a Real Property tax bill?
Can I pay my Real Property taxes via Internet or phone (i.e. electronic check or credit card)?
What do I do if my mortgage gets paid off after the original tax notices are mailed out and taxes are still due?
Who do I make my check payable to?
What is the legal tender amount when payment is made with a personal check?
What address do I use to make a payment?
What are the penalty and interest rates if I do not pay my property taxes timely?
What is the latest time I can make my payment for Real Property taxes and still be considered timely?
What constitutes a valid receipt for payment of my Real Property taxes?
If an appeal has been filed but is not finalized by the first and/or second half due date, do the taxes have to be paid?
Can payments be made on Real Property taxes other than the due dates?
Are advance payments for Real Property taxes accepted? And if so, how far in advance?
If my taxes are overpaid how do I receive a refund?
Will I receive a refund of overpaid taxes if my value is adjusted after I have paid the taxes based on the higher value?
How do I know if my mortgage company has received the tax information for my accounts(s)?
How do I change my mailing address on my account(s)?
How do I apply for a Senior Citizen or Disabled Veteran Exemption?
How do I apply for a Residential Exemption?
Are Real Property taxes billed on a calendar year or some other basis?
When will my property be foreclosed on if I am delinquent on my Real Property taxes?
How will my account be affected if the check I mail for payment does not clear my bank?
What should I do if I recently sold my property, but I am still getting the tax bill?
Why should I pay penalty and interest on a late payment when I never received my tax bill?
Is there consideration for waiver of late payment penalty due to a catastrophic incident?

1. What is the general definition of Real Property?

Real Property (real estate) is the rights to land and improvements to the land.

2. What is the general definition of Personal Property?

Business personal property is composed of tangible assets held for use in a business, other than real property. Taxable business personal property includes, but is not limited to, inventory, supplies, furniture, fixtures, equipment, leasehold improvements, and rental furnishings.

3. When should I expect to receive a bill for Real Property taxes?

Tax notices are typically mailed out June 1 of each year for the current year taxes. The mailing date is subject to change depending on when the Municipal Assembly sets the mill levy.

4. When are Real Property Taxes due?

First half installment is due June 30.
Second half installment is due August 31.

These dates are subject to change depending on when the Municipal Assembly sets the mill levy and tax bills are mailed out. See calendar for more information.

5. What should I do if I do not receive a Real Property tax bill?

View your account information via this website or you can contact the tax department.

Click here to view your account information.

6. Can I pay my Real Property taxes via Internet or phone (i.e., using electronic check or credit card)?

Yes, the Municipality of Anchorage offers two forms of electronic payment, electronic check and credit card:

The e-check option will charge the taxpayer a third party fee of $1.95 per transaction. This e-check option will be available only through this website.
The credit card payment option will charge the taxpayer a third party fee of approximately 2.55% of the tax amount paid. The credit card option will be available through this website, by phone, or in person at City Hall Treasury Customer Service Counter.

The Municipality offers both electronic payment options as a way to provide additional choice and convenience to customers making payment on real property taxes (certain minimum and maximum payment amounts apply). Payment amount under $155.00 will be charged a flat fee of $3.95. Click here to make electronic payment.

7. What do I do if my mortgage gets paid off after the original tax notices are mailed out and taxes are still due?

Call the tax office at 907-343-6650 to inquire about your property taxes and any balance due and the due date.

8. Who do I make my check payable to?

Make checks, money orders, cashier checks or travelers checks payable to: Municipality of Anchorage or MOA.

9. What is the legal tender amount when payment is made with a personal check?

The amount written in words is the amount the check will be processed for.

10. What address do I use to make a payment?

Mailing Address:

Municipality of Anchorage - Department of Finance Treasury Division - P.O. Box 196040 - Anchorage, AK 99519-6040

Physical Address:

City Hall - 632 West 6th Avenue - Suite 330 - Anchorage, AK 99501

Note: Please provide property identification number when making payment to ensure payment is applied to the proper account.

11. What are the penalty and interest rates if I do not pay my property taxes timely?

The penalty rate is 10% of the principal balance owing at the time the due date has passed on each unpaid installment. The interest rate charged is 2% above the prime rate as of April 15th of each year. The interest rate is multiplied by the unpaid principal balance and charges accrue monthly.

12. What is the latest time I can make my payment for Real Property taxes and still be considered timely?

Payments are considered timely if confirmation:

From website is dated by 11:59 p.m. on or before the due date, or.
Envelope is postmarked by the US Post Office by 11:59 p.m. on or before the due date, or
Cash register receipt / Treasury date stamp is received in person by 5:00 p.m. on or before the due date.

Note: If the due date falls on a weekend or holiday, payments will be honored as timely the next business day. The 7 calendar day grace period applies to the original due date, regardless of weekend or holiday. Specifically, AMC 12.15.06OC2 states: "Following each due date of taxes, seven calendar days shall elapse before any penalty is added to the tax. At the expiration of the seven-calendar-day grace period, the penalty will be added."

13. What constitutes a valid receipt for payment of my Real Property taxes?

Valid receipt of payment:

Confirmation number from the website if you paid by e-check or credit card, or
Your canceled check if you paid by mail, or
Cash register receipt if you paid in person at the customer service counter, or
Your credit card statement if you paid by credit card.

14. If an appeal has been filed but is not finalized by the first and/or second half due date, do the taxes have to be paid?

Real Property taxes are due and payable as billed even if you have filed an appeal on the assessed value of your property. A refund will be made, if appropriate, after resolution of your appeal.

Those taxpayers entitled to a refund will be paid interest from the date(s) the payment(s) that created the overpayment were made.

15. Can payments be made on Real Property taxes other than the due dates?

Yes, but that does not stop the penalty, interest or foreclosure costs from being applied to the account if at least the minimum payments were not paid by the first and second half due dates.

16. Are advance payments for Real Property taxes accepted? And if so, how far in advance?

During the period January 1 - May 15 of each tax year cash and check payments will be accepted as advance payments. Electronic payments intended to pay in advance or pay in multiple increments may be submitted through our 3^rd party e-check and credit card processor (i.e., ACI Payments, Inc.) at any time during the tax year or, even in the preceding year. ACI offers taxpayers the opportunity to electronically schedule recurring payments/reminders and setup these payments/reminders in advance of the tax due dates. Click here to visit ACI and setup advance payment or due date reminder. The property owner is responsible for ensuring that minimum amounts due for each installment due date are paid timely.

17. If my taxes are overpaid how do I receive a refund?

Credit balances are automatically refunded in accordance with AMC 12.05.062 with interest for all Real Property tax account refunds. Process time will vary due to the volume of overpayments.

18. Will I receive a refund of overpaid taxes if my value is adjusted after I have paid the taxes based on the higher value?

A claim for refund filed one year or later after the due date of the tax as billed is forever barred. AMC 12.05.062

19. How do I know if my mortgage company has received the tax information for my accounts(s)?

To check if your mortgage company has requested your tax account information go to: View Account. It is the property owner's responsibility to ensure their mortgage company pays their taxes timely each year. Escrow contracts are between the property owner and the mortgage company.

20. How do I change my mailing address on my account(s)?

Address changes provided in writing by mail or fax are processed by the Property Appraisal Office at:

City Hall - 632 West 6th Avenue Suite 300 - Anchorage, AK 99501

You can also call (907) 343-6770 or fax a request to (907) 343-6599.

21. How do I apply for a Senior Citizen or Disabled Veteran Exemption?

Applications, procedures and guidelines are available in the Property Appraisal Office located at:

City Hall - 632 West 6th Avenue Suite 300 - Anchorage, AK 99501

You can also call (907) 343-6770.

22. How do I apply for a Residential Exemption?

Applications, procedures and guidelines are available in the Property Appraisal Office located at:

City Hall - 632 West 6th Avenue Suite 300 - Anchorage, AK 99501

You can also call (907) 343-6770.

23. Are Real Property taxes billed on a calendar year or some other basis?

Real property taxes are billed on a calendar year basis (January - December).

24. When will my property be foreclosed on if I am delinquent on my Real Property taxes?

On or about March 1st annually, a petition for judgment and decree of foreclosure and sale is filed with the Superior Court concerning real property parcels with unpaid delinquent taxes for the preceding year(s) (e.g. property with delinquent 2022 and prior years taxes will be foreclosed as early as the March 2023 statutory publication and noticing period). Foreclosed property may be redeemed during the one-year redemption period by paying the tax amount(s) along with penalty, interest, and costs due. Properties not redeemed prior to the expiration of redemption period are deeded to the Municipality. Deeded properties that are not repurchased beforehand may be taken by the Municipality for public purpose or sold at public auction. Additional information regarding foreclosure, deed, and sale of foreclosed property may be obtained by contacting the Municipal Real Estate Services Office at (907) 343-7953.

25. How will my account be affected if the check I mail for payment does not clear my bank?

Payment will be reversed off of the account back to the effective date of the payment. The tax billing system will automatically apply any penalty, interest and costs as if the payment was never made. An additional $30.00 cost will be added for returned check fee.

26. What should I do if I recently sold my property, but I am still getting the tax bill?

Contact the Municipal Assessors' Office at (907) 343-6770 for all ownership and address changes.

27. Why should I pay penalty and interest on a late payment when I never received my tax bill?

It is the property owner's responsibility to ensure their taxes are paid timely each year.

Failure to receive a tax bill does not relieve the taxpayer of responsibility for timely payment or constitute cause for cancelation of penalty, interest or costs in cases of delinquency.

28.a. Is there consideration for waiver of late payment penalty due to a catastrophic incident?

A new Ordinance was approved by the Anchorage Municipal Assembly August 8, 2017 that authorizes consideration of late payment waiver if specific conditions are met by a residential property owner with timely history of property tax payments.

Click here to view the AO No. 2017-106 Click here to view/print the application

28.b. Under AO 2017-106, what are examples of circumstances in which the property owner would not qualify for waiver of late payment penalty?

· Vacation or other planned trip at discretion and control of the taxpayer;

· Failure to receive real property tax billing notice;

· Forgetfulness or confusion regarding standard real property tax due dates;

· Confusion or lack of knowledge regarding local property tax law;

· Lack of funds to fully and timely pay real property taxes;

· Confusion or mistake associated with refinanced property or other negotiated payment arrangement with a mortgage or title company;

· Failure to receive or retain documentation regarding proof of timely payment either by mail or electronic or in-person means;

· Failure to apply sufficient postage or typographical error in addressing payment or writing out the amount payable to the Municipality;

· Misplaced mail not associated with direct, documented involvement of a 3^rd party mail carrier;

· Failure of a designated individual to make timely and full payment on behalf of the taxpayer; or

· Failure of taxpayer to properly and timely inform Municipality of current mailing address to use in sending real property tax notices.

Click here to see excerpts from Alaska Statutes and Anchorage Municipal Codes.