Moving to Phoenix Online Course

This is Part 3 of an 8 part online course. Start here to learn more about and why this course was created and how it is structured.

Moving to Phoenix Online Course

You can't escape them--legally, that is. There are taxes everywhere. It's important for you to understand the tax structure here, so you'll know if that will impact your cost of living.

Trivia to Impress Your Friends

• If you received unemployment during the tax year, that is taxable income.
• If you earn income in another state, that income is taxable in Arizona.
• In general, you are an Arizona resident if you spend more than 9 months of the taxable year here.

And One More Thing

In 1986 the first electronic transmission of tax return data from a preparer to the IRS was completed. By 1989 taxpayers in 36 states could file their taxes electronically, and by 1990 taxpayers throughout the country who expected a refund could file electronically. The error rate for a paper return is 21 percent, compared with an e-file return error rate of .5 percent.

Arizona Tax Structure for Individuals

What You Can Expect
This article gives a general overview of personal income tax rates, sales tax, personal property taxes, and the ever-popular (not really) vehicle tax. That vehicle tax is the one that catches many people off-guard after they move here.

Tax Forms and Filing
Some people will want to actually do a mock tax return to see how they'd fare if they were a resident here. Here you'll find links to forms and other tax resources in Arizona.

Does AZ Tax Social Security?
Retirees usually want to know!

Sales Tax

Tax on Food is Often a Surprise
Everyone is used to paying tax at restaurants, but here in Maricopa County almost all the cities and towns charge sales tax on groceries, too. Find out what the sales tax rates are, and which cities charge sales tax on food for home consumption.

Property Tax

Maricopa County Real Estate Tax Calculation
Here is some information about computing what your Arizona property tax might be on your home. Arizona property taxes are levied on the assessed value of a home, not the market value.

Go To Part 4 >>

Relocation to Phoenix Free Online Course
Introduction
Part 1: How Hot Is It?
Part 2: Where Are the Jobs?
Part 3: Those Dreaded Taxes
Part 4: Health Issues
Part 5: Where Should I Live?
Part 6: House and Apartment Hunting
Part 7: Find a School
Part 8: EEEEWWW! What's That?