Does Arizona Tax Groceries? (Phoenix, Gilbert: sales, crime, income)

[RoofTopPigeon]

I am thinking about the Gilbert, AZ. Area.
I would like to know;
1.) If Gilbert is a safe city?
2.) If they tax Groceries or not in Arizona?
As I know; Tennessee Does Tax Groceries.

[jlawrence01]

Arizona does not tax groceries that are food items. They DO tax some beverage item, including alcohol. Sales tax rates vary by city and county and can vary as much as 2%.

[observer53]

While there is some crime everywhere, Gilbert is a safe city. You should ask any other questions you have about Gilbert in the Phoenix forum.

Sales taxes on food can vary from city to city.

[RoofTopPigeon]

Originally Posted by jlawrence01

Arizona does not tax groceries that are food items. They DO tax some beverage item, including alcohol. Sales tax rates vary by city and county and can vary as much as 2%.

The reason I asked is I know Tennessee Taxes ALL Groceries including Orange Juice; and Ground-Beef; and everything else. I wanted to make SURE Arizona did NOT do this.

[atlaw]

Originally Posted by RoofTopPigeon

The reason I asked is I know Tennessee Taxes ALL Groceries including Orange Juice; and Ground-Beef; and everything else. I wanted to make SURE Arizona did NOT do this.

the colors in your post should go away. no caps, no colors, be polite. IMO

[ajonesaz]

There was a 1% county tax a few years back, it was voter approved but has since expired. Currently, food is not taxed.

[Bummer]

Due to my career, RoofTopPigeon, I have lived just about everywhere over the years and believe me . . . the Tax Man will get you one way or another. Except for a very few exceptions, taxes usually balance out in the long run.

If I remember correctly, Tennessee is one of the few states with NO State Income Tax which probably justifies the higher Sale Tax.

You will find Arizona to be a relatively "Low Cost of Living" State overall.

[jamies]

Only the kind you eat.

In the store, deli items, cooked chicken etc.

[jlawrence01]

Originally Posted by Bummer

Due to my career, RoofTopPigeon, I have lived just about everywhere over the years and believe me . . . the Tax Man will get you one way or another. Except for a very few exceptions, taxes usually balance out in the long run.

If I remember correctly, Tennessee is one of the few states with NO State Income Tax which probably justifies the higher Sale Tax.

You will find Arizona to be a relatively "Low Cost of Living" State overall.

I don't want go off topic but since I had planned to relocate to Tennessee when I retired, I will make a couple of comments.

Tennessee DOES have state income tax on most interest and dividends. Their property taxes can also be pretty steep as you approach Nashville and the surrounding counties. Personally, when I was running numbers, living in Kentucky in certain tax brackets would yield lower taxes than Tennessee.

My initial reaction after preparing my first Arizona tax return this past March is that it would be hard to think that Tennessee would save you any money over Arizona, especially in the lower tax brackets. And if you made certain decisions and were careful where you live and shop in Arizona, you can really minimize the taxes you pay in this state.

[AZDesertBrat]

Originally Posted by observer53

While there is some crime everywhere, Gilbert is a safe city. You should ask any other questions you have about Gilbert in the Phoenix forum.

Sales taxes on food can vary from city to city.

I wonder why that is. I know Cottonwood has a 3% tax on food and 9.035% on everything else. Deli items are taxed at the 9.035% mark. Haven't figured that one out yet. And phone cards are taxed something like 8%.