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General Arizona Property TaxesA personal income tax is levied on residents and nonresidents earning income in Arizona. Income tax credits are allowed for elderly low-income taxpayers. Personal taxes have been substantially reduced for the last nine years.
Arizona’s personal income tax rate ranges from 3.8% to 7% of taxable income. No municipality imposes an earnings tax.
The state levies a 5% sales and use tax. Food for home consumption, prescription drugs, and machinery and equipment directly used in manufacturing, processing and in certain other industries are exempt.
Eighty-three municipalities impose an additional 1% to 2% sales tax.
A return must be filed with the federal government as well as the Arizona Department of Revenue when the gross estate exceeds $600,000. The tax rates imposed on the remaining estate are designed to absorb the maximum credit for state death taxes allowed by the federal government. Returns on taxable estates must be filed with the Department of Revenue Estate Tax Division within nine months after death.
Corporate Income Tax is levied for all firms at 9%. The minimum filing amount is $50.
The gasoline and diesel motor vehicle license tax is an ad valorem tax levied in lieu of property taxes. The assessed valuation is computed at 60% of the manufacturer’s list price, without options. This valuation is reduced thereafter by 15% each year. The tax rate is $4 per $100 of assessed value with a minimum tax of $10. Payments are due upon purchase of a vehicle with annual renewals on a staggered system throughout the year.
General Tax Information
An excellent resource for potential Arizona residents! Provides information covering personal income taxes, deductions, exemptions, taxes that apply to automobiles, vehicle registration, and gift taxes.
Tax Forms
Arizona Department of Revenue
Moving to Arizona
Assessor’s Calculations
Maricopa Online
Assessor’s Property Tax Info
General Tax Information
If you are a U.S. resident receiving old age security and/or any payment under the Canada Pension Plan or the Quebec Pension Plan, there is good news for you. According to the changes made in the U.S./Canada treaty, for 1998 and subsequent years, there will be no withholding or filing requirements in Canada for these payments received by the U.S. residents. These benefits will only be taxed in the U.S. and changes will be retroactive to January 1, 1996.
As these changes have been made retroactively, all Canadian taxes withheld from the benefits paid to you in 1996 and 1997 will be available for refund. Note, changes in the tax treaty cannot result in more tax payable than what has already been paid. It is up to the individual to choose to be taxed in the country with the lower rate of tax.
If the tax you would be required to pay in the U.S. is less than the Canadian tax withheld in 1996 or 1997, you can choose to report your Canadian benefits on your U.S. tax return for each year, and apply to Revenue Canada for a refund of the Canadian tax withheld.
If the tax you would be required to pay in the U.S. is more than the Canadian tax withheld in either or both years, you would not choose to report your Canadian benefits on your U.S. tax return. In this case you will not apply for a refund of tax paid in Canada.
If you are eligible for a refund of the tax withheld, you should apply within three years from the date the treaty changes entered into force, December 16, 1997.
If you choose to be taxed in the U.S. and receive a refund of the Canadian tax withheld for one or both years, and later determine that the U.S. tax is higher than the Canadian tax, the treaty gives you three years to revoke, the election. If you decide to revoke the election, you would be required to repay the Canadian tax previously refunded. In that case, Revenue Canada would advise the IRS that you have revoked your election and your social security benefits would become non-taxable in the U.S.
If you filed Form NR5 and were approved for zero percent withholding rate by Revenue Canada, you would not choose to be taxed in the U.S. as the tax payable in the U.S. would always be a higher amount and you would remain taxable in Canada. Since there was no withholding from your benefits, you would not be able to apply for a refund.
Changes to the U.S./Canada tax treaty are becoming common place. For those receiving Canadian payments, it is important to consult with your advisor on an ongoing basis.