Some property owners in Pima County, Arizona may be eligible for refunds following a system error in the county assessor’s office that led to overvalued properties and excess tax payments, with a total refund pool of around $6 million set to be distributed once administrative processes are completed.
System Error Led To Overpayments
According to county officials, approximately 630 properties were affected by valuation errors that resulted in overpayments estimated at $5.8 million over a four-year period, plus interest.
The issue was identified during a transition to new property tax valuation software, which revealed inconsistencies in how certain property values had been assessed.
Some discrepancies were also linked to older data adjustments dating back to 2012, which were later found to be unsupported by documentation used in previous assessments.
Dispute Over Calculation Method
The refund process has been subject to internal review, with debate over how overpayments should be calculated.
County Assessor Suzanne Droubie stated that recalculations were based on updated valuation methods, while former County Treasurer Brian Johnson raised concerns about the methodology used, arguing that each year should be assessed separately under previous system conditions.
Officials from the assessor’s office said using the old software was not practical due to the nature of the errors identified.
Administrative Process And Responsibilities
County supervisors have stated that the assessor’s office is responsible for determining valuation corrections, while the treasurer’s office handles the issuance of payments once decisions are finalised.
Following Johnson’s resignation on June 12, the notification and refund process is expected to proceed without further administrative delays. Local officials have indicated that the distribution of funds will begin once legal and procedural requirements are completed, although no specific timeline has been confirmed.
Impact On Local Budgets
The refunds are expected to affect multiple public revenue streams, including funding for schools, libraries and county services.
Reports suggest that the Tucson Unified School District could account for a portion of the refund burden, estimated at around $1.3 million, although final financial allocations will depend on how adjustments are processed across affected properties.
Ongoing Review Of Tax Records
The case has prompted a wider review of historical property tax records within the county, particularly where valuation changes were made under previous administrative systems.
Officials have stated that the focus remains on correcting identified errors and ensuring affected property owners receive appropriate adjustments where eligible, while maintaining compliance with state tax regulations.
