Matanuska-Susitna Property Tax rates for 2026 affect both homeowners and commercial owners, with the borough’s mill levy schedule Alaska published on the Matanuska tax assessor office website. Residents can check the 2026 property tax bill Matanasuka online via the Alaska property tax estimator or the myProperty portal, then contact the tax collector contact Matanuska at (907) 861‑8642 for payment questions. The Assessment Division offers property tax exemptions Alaska, including senior citizen and homeowner tax credit Matanuska programs, which reduce the taxable property definition Alaska for qualifying households. Deadlines for property tax payment deadlines AK appear in the borough’s fiscal calendar, and late payments incur tax delinquency penalties Alaska.
Matanuska-Susitna Property Tax appeals follow the assessment appeal process Alaska, with the appeal period typically ending in late February and hearings concluded by June. Property owners can file exemption forms through the Assessment Division or attend property tax workshops Matanuska to learn about relief programs Alaska and mortgage escrow property tax Alaska options. Commercial real estate tax Matanuska follows the same land valuation Matanuska‑Susitna rules, while residential property tax rates Matanuska are adjusted by the tax levy schedule Alaska each year. For lien or refund inquiries, the tax collector contact Matanuska can confirm property tax lien process Alaska and property tax refund eligibility AK.
Search Matanuska-Susitna Borough Property Tax
The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assessment Division maintains a public portal where property owners can review tax balances, ownership details, and exemption status for any parcel inside the borough. The myProperty system links directly to the borough’s parcel database, which contains more than 77,000 real property records. Each parcel card displays the tax map code, account number, mailing address, and total assessed value net of any approved exemptions or deferments.
Searches can be filtered by parcel number, owner name, or street address. The portal supports partial-match queries for properties that have changed hands, and each record shows the assessment year, the latest update date, and any active exemption filed with the division. Balances reflect posted payments only; interest, penalties, and foreclosure-related charges added after the last update date do not appear in the running total displayed on screen.
Step-by-step search process:
- Open the Matanuska-Susitna Borough myProperty search portal at https://myproperty.matsugov.us in a web browser.
- Select a search category: parcel number, owner name, or property address.
- Enter the requested information into the input field and submit the query.
- Click the matching parcel card from the result list to view the full record.
- Review the assessed value, exemption status, tax balance, and map links.
The record screen offers a tax map DWG download and a link to the interactive web map. Users who live inside the city limits of Palmer or Houston see a notice that their exemption amount may differ from the borough areawide value. If an account sits in foreclosure status, the portal instructs the property owner to remit payment through certified funds only.
Matanuska-Susitna Borough Mill Levy and Tax Rate Structure
The Matanuska-Susitna Borough sets an areawide mill rate that applies to every taxable parcel inside the borough boundary. City residents in Palmer, Houston, and Wasilla pay an additional city mill rate on top of the borough rate, and recorded service areas add their own levy to fund local services such as road maintenance, fire protection, and animal control. The school district share is collected by the borough and passed through to the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District each fiscal year.
Mill levy components for a typical Matanuska-Susitna Borough parcel include:
- Borough areawide mill rate, applied to every parcel inside the borough
- City mill rate for parcels inside Palmer, Houston, or Wasilla city limits
- Service area mill levy tied to recorded service area boundaries
- School district contribution collected and remitted to the local district
| Tax Area | Components | Applies To |
|---|---|---|
| Areawide | Borough mill rate, school district share | All parcels inside the borough |
| Non-Areawide | Animal control, road service, fire service | Parcels inside recorded service areas |
| City of Palmer | Borough plus city plus service areas | Parcels inside Palmer city limits |
| City of Houston | Borough plus city plus service areas | Parcels inside Houston city limits |
| City of Wasilla | Borough plus city plus service areas | Parcels inside Wasilla city limits |
The Assembly approves the mill rate each spring as part of the annual budget process. The fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30, and the new mill rate takes effect for the upcoming tax year. Property owners can confirm the current rate through the myProperty portal or by contacting the Assessment Division at the phone number listed on the borough contact page.
Recent Mill Rate Adjustments
The Assembly adopted the fiscal year 2027 budget on May 7, approving total spending of $467,591,096 and lowering the areawide mill rate. Average property tax bills for residents outside Palmer, Houston, and Wasilla city limits were projected to drop by roughly $50. Owners inside city limits saw a separate adjustment tied to animal services charges approved earlier in the budget cycle, producing an average annual increase near $28 for those parcels.
How the Assessment Division Calculates Property Value
The Assessment Division values real property at its full and true value, the standard required under Alaska state law. Mass appraisal techniques compare each parcel to recent sales of similar properties, adjusting for location, size, age, condition, and improvements. Land and buildings receive separate value conclusions, and the combined figure becomes the assessed value used to calculate the tax bill.
For fiscal year 2026, single-family home values rose 7.41% on average across the borough, and the Assembly authorized a 15% blanket increase on land values to bring assessed figures closer to actual market prices. Property value increases do not always produce one-for-one tax bill increases, because the final bill depends on the mill rate adopted by the Assembly for the full region. A higher assessment with a lower mill rate can still result in a smaller bill than the prior year.
Key valuation inputs the division tracks:
- Recent qualified sales of comparable parcels
- Land classification such as residential, commercial, or remote
- Building grade, age, condition, and living area
- Income and expense data for commercial real estate tax Matanuska parcels
Property owners receive an assessment notice by mail each January. The notice lists the new assessed value, the parcel details, and the appeal deadline printed directly on the form. Reviewing the notice promptly gives owners time to gather comparable sales and decide whether to file an appeal with the Board of Equalization.
Property Tax Payment Deadlines and Schedule
Tax bills for the upcoming fiscal year are mailed to property owners on July 1 each year. The full bill is payable in a single installment or split into two halves. The first half is due August 15, and the second half is due the following February. Late payments accrue interest and penalties until the borough receives the funds in full.
Standard payment schedule for a typical fiscal year:
| Step | Date | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Assessment notices mailed | Late January | Owner reviews the value and files an appeal if needed |
| Appeal period closes | February 27 | Last day to file a written appeal with the Board of Equalization |
| Tax bills mailed | July 1 | Borough mails bills for the upcoming fiscal year |
| First installment due | August 15 | Pay in full or submit the first half installment |
| Second installment due | February 17 | Pay the second half installment for split payments |
Payment options available through the borough include online ACH transfers, credit card payments, mailed checks, and in-person payments at the borough offices. Owners who pay through an escrow account with their mortgage servicer receive a copy of the bill, and the servicer remits the payment on the owner’s behalf. Confirmation receipts appear in the myProperty portal once the borough posts the payment to the account.
Property Tax Exemptions Available to Matanuska-Susitna Borough Residents
The Matanuska-Susitna Borough offers several property tax exemptions that reduce the taxable assessed value for qualifying parcels. Each exemption has its own application, residency requirement, and annual filing deadline. Property owners who qualify for more than one exemption receive only the highest single exemption applied to the parcel for the tax year.
Common exemption programs administered by the Assessment Division:
- Senior citizen exemption for qualifying older owners who meet the residency test
- Disabled veteran exemption for veterans with a service-connected disability rating
- Non-profit property tax exemption for qualifying organizations
- Optional municipal exemptions for parcels inside the city limits of Palmer or Houston
Senior Citizen Exemption
The senior citizen exemption applies to the primary residence of a qualified owner. The owner must have lived in Alaska for at least one year and must have occupied the property as the primary place of abode for the required period. Application materials include proof of age, Alaska residency documents, and a residency and occupancy qualification form filed with the Assessment Division.
Acceptable proof-of-age documents include an Alaska driver’s license, an Alaska state identification card, a passport, a birth certificate, or a military identification card. A qualified senior need not refile for successive tax years if ownership, residency, occupancy, and other qualifying factors remain unchanged. The Assessment Division reviews each renewal cycle and updates the parcel record automatically.
Disabled Veteran Exemption
The disabled veteran exemption provides a property tax reduction for veterans who hold a service-connected disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The veteran must own and occupy the property as the primary place of abode. The disability rating threshold and the exemption amount follow Alaska state law and may change with legislative action.
Applicants submit proof of the disability rating, proof of ownership, and proof of occupancy with the exemption form. The Assessment Division verifies the documents and applies the exemption to the parcel record before the tax bill prints. Veterans with ratings above the standard threshold may qualify for a total property tax exemption on the primary residence.
Non-Profit Property Tax Exemption
Non-profit organizations can apply for a property tax exemption on real property used for a qualifying purpose. The application goes to the Assessment Division, which reviews the organization’s documents, the property use, and the operating structure. Approved exemptions apply to the upcoming tax year and continue as long as the organization keeps its qualifying status active.
Documents typically required for the non-profit filing include articles of incorporation, IRS tax-exempt determination letters, financial statements, and a description of the property’s use. The Assessment Division may request additional information before approving the exemption. Property owners can contact the division for the current list of accepted documents and the filing deadline for the upcoming tax year.
Property Tax Appeal Process and Deadlines
Property owners who disagree with the borough’s assessed value can file a written appeal with the Board of Equalization. The appeal period opens when the Assessment Division mails assessment notices in late January and closes February 27 of the same year. Appeals must reach the Board of Equalization in writing, list the parcel account number, state the reason for the appeal, and request the relief the owner seeks.
Alaska state law requires each borough to substantially complete all appeal hearings by June 1. The Board of Equalization reviews the evidence, hears testimony from the property owner and the Assessment Division, and issues a written decision. Owners who disagree with the Board’s decision can appeal further to the Alaska Superior Court within the timeline set by Alaska statutes.
Evidence that supports a successful appeal typically includes:
- Recent qualified sales of comparable parcels inside the borough
- Photographs showing physical defects not reflected in the record
- Independent appraisals conducted by a licensed Alaska appraiser
- Income and expense statements for income-producing properties
Appeals filed after the February 27 deadline are not considered for the current tax year, and the owner must wait for the next assessment cycle. Missing the deadline means paying the bill based on the contested value, even if the appeal would have succeeded. Property owners should mark the calendar and submit the appeal paperwork well before the deadline to allow for processing time.
Late Payments, Penalties, and the Lien Process
Property tax payments that arrive after the August 15 or February 17 deadline accrue interest and penalties under Alaska state law. The borough calculates interest on the unpaid balance at the rate set by state statute, and penalties apply as a percentage of the delinquent amount. Interest and penalties continue to compound until the borough receives the full payment.
After a parcel becomes delinquent, the borough records a tax lien against the property. The lien secures the unpaid tax balance, the accrued interest, the penalties, and the costs of collection. A lien can remain attached to the parcel for several years, and the borough can foreclose on the lien to recover the unpaid balance through a court-supervised process.
Consequences of an unpaid parcel tax bill include:
- Accruing interest at the Alaska statutory rate
- Penalties calculated as a percentage of the unpaid balance
- Recording of a tax lien against the parcel in the land records
- Potential foreclosure on the lien by the Matanuska-Susitna Borough
Owners who face financial difficulty should contact the Assessment Division or the borough finance office to ask about payment plans, hardship deferments, or installment arrangements. The borough can defer collection for qualifying owners, and the deferred amount becomes a lien on the parcel that the owner or the owner’s estate must satisfy at a later transfer of ownership.
Calculating Your Property Tax Bill
The Matanuska-Susitna Borough calculates a property tax bill by multiplying the taxable assessed value by the sum of the applicable mill rates for the parcel’s tax area. The taxable assessed value equals the full assessed value minus any approved exemption, deferment, or other adjustment on the parcel record. The borough lists the breakdown on the annual tax bill mailed July 1.
Sample calculation for a parcel with a $400,000 assessed value inside the borough areawide tax area, with no exemption and no service area, using an approximate 10-mill areawide rate:
- Assessed value: $400,000
- Exemption applied: $0
- Taxable value: $400,000
- Areawide mill rate: approximately 10 mills ($10 per $1,000 of taxable value)
- Annual tax bill: approximately $4,000
City residents and service area residents add the city or service area millage to the areawide rate. A parcel inside a city with an additional 3-mill city rate and a 2-mill service area levy would multiply $400,000 by approximately 15 mills, producing an annual bill of approximately $6,000 before any exemption. The exact figure depends on the mill rates the Assembly adopts each spring and on the service areas recorded for the specific parcel.
Tax Districts, Service Areas, and Special Levies
The Matanuska-Susitna Borough contains multiple municipal tax districts and service areas, each with its own mill levy or flat fee structure. Service areas fund specific services such as fire protection, road maintenance, and animal control. Property owners who live inside a recorded service area boundary see the additional levy on the tax bill.
Special service area levies that commonly appear on Matanuska-Susitna Borough tax bills include:
- Road service areas funding local road maintenance and snow removal
- Fire service areas funding local fire and emergency response
- Animal care and control charges allocated to city residents
Property owners can confirm the service areas that apply to a specific parcel by reviewing the myProperty record or by calling the Assessment Division. Service area boundaries change as the borough records new plats and as the Assembly approves boundary adjustments. A parcel that sits inside a new service area will see the additional levy on the next tax bill after the boundary adjustment is recorded.
Records Access for Matanuska-Susitna Borough Property
Property ownership records, deeds, and lien documents for the Matanuska-Susitna Borough are recorded with the State of Alaska Recorder’s Office. The borough seat is Palmer, and official land records are maintained through the appropriate state recording district.
Common documents filed with the Recorder’s Office include:
- Warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds transferring ownership
- Mortgage documents, assignments, and satisfactions
- Easement grants and right-of-way documents
- Property tax lien releases and satisfactions from the borough
Recorded documents become part of the official chain of title and remain accessible to the public. Title companies, attorneys, and property owners retrieve recorded documents through the state recording portal or by visiting the appropriate office in person. Property owners should consult the official State of Alaska Recorder’s Office for the current portal address, contact information, and search procedures.
Workshops, Relief Programs, and Refund Eligibility
The Matanuska-Susitna Borough hosts property tax workshops each year to help owners understand the assessment process, exemption programs, and appeal procedures. Workshop topics typically cover the mass appraisal model, comparable sale selection, exemption application procedures, and the appeal hearing process. Workshop dates appear on the borough events calendar and on the Assessment Division page.
Property tax relief programs available to Matanuska-Susitna Borough residents include the senior citizen exemption, the disabled veteran exemption, the non-profit exemption, and any city-level exemption programs offered by Palmer, Houston, or Wasilla. Each program has its own qualification rules, residency test, and filing deadline. Owners who qualify for a relief program should file the application with the Assessment Division before the annual deadline.
Refund eligibility follows Alaska state law and applies in limited circumstances:
- Overpayment of tax due to a clerical error on the parcel record
- Tax paid on a parcel that was exempt at the time of billing
- Tax paid on a parcel that was owned by a qualifying entity during the tax year
- Tax paid under a successful appeal of the assessed value
Refund requests go to the Assessment Division with supporting documents showing the overpayment or qualifying condition. The division reviews the request, confirms the amount owed, and processes the refund through the borough finance office. Refund processing times vary based on the complexity of the request and the documentation provided by the property owner.
Contact, Local Details, and Map
Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assessment Division
Department Name: Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assessment Division
Official Website URL: https://www.matsugov.us
Direct Public Search Portal Link: https://myproperty.matsugov.us
Main Phone: Refer to the official borough website for the current contact number
Official Email: Refer to the official borough website for the current contact email
Physical Address: 350 East Dahlia Avenue, Palmer, AK 99645-6488
Mailing Address: 350 East Dahlia Avenue, Palmer, AK 99645-6488
Frequently Asked Questions
The Matanuska‑Susitna Property Tax office handles assessments, payments, exemptions and appeals for over 77,000 parcels. Knowing where to find the tax bill, how to apply for a senior exemption, or when the payment deadline falls can save time and money. Below are the most common questions owners ask, with clear steps and contact details.
How can I view my 2026 Matanuska property tax bill online?
Visit the myProperty portal at https://myproperty.matsugov.us and enter your parcel number or address. The page shows the current balance, assessed value, and any exemptions applied. If you cannot locate the account, call the Assessment Division at (907) 861‑8642 for help. The site updates daily, so you see the latest figures before the August 15 payment deadline.
What are the payment deadlines for Matanuska‑Susitna property taxes?
Taxes are mailed around July 1. The first installment is due August 15. A second payment can be made by February 17 of the following year. Paying the full amount by the August date avoids interest and penalties. Payments can be made online through the borough’s ACH portal, by mail, or in person at the Assessment Division office.
How do I apply for the senior citizen exemption in Mat‑Su?
Download the exemption form from https://matsu.gov/services/senior-citizen-disabled-veteran-exemption. Required proof includes an Alaska driver’s license, state ID, passport, birth certificate, or military ID. Submit the completed form by mail to 350 East Dahlia Avenue, Palmer, AK 99645‑6488, or email Krista King at krista.king@matsugov.us. Once approved, the exemption reduces your assessed value for the next tax year.
What steps must I follow to appeal my 2026 property assessment?
Check the assessment notice that was mailed in late January. The appeal window closes on February 27, 2026. Gather recent sales data for similar parcels, then file a written appeal with the Board of Equalization. Include a copy of the notice, your evidence, and a signed statement. Attend the hearing if required; a decision follows within a few weeks.
Where can I find the current Matanuska‑Susitna borough mill rate and tax levy schedule?
The borough publishes the mill rate on its website under the Finance section. For FY 2027 the rate is listed around 10 mills, but confirm the exact figure before calculating. The levy schedule, which breaks down revenue sources, is also available as a PDF download on https://www.matsugov.us. Use these numbers in the online estimator to forecast your next bill.