City/Local income/wage taxes? (Phoenix, Scottsdale: fit in, sales, apartment)

[pghsebring]

Here in PA the localities all have city "income" or "wage" taxes - Pittsburgh is 3%, and Philadelphia is around 5% (i believe). Suburbs are all different obviously. But i couldn't find a "wage" or "income" tax for the city of Phoenix - does it exist, and what is it? Note, this is not the State income tax which is an additional 3%.

Thank you.

[aj661]

Originally Posted by pghsebring

Here in PA the localities all have city "income" or "wage" taxes - Pittsburgh is 3%, and Philadelphia is around 5% (i believe). Suburbs are all different obviously. But i couldn't find a "wage" or "income" tax for the city of Phoenix - does it exist, and what is it? Note, this is not the State income tax which is an additional 3%.

Thank you.

We don't pay city income taxes.

[pghsebring]

Originally Posted by aj661

We don't pay city income taxes.

none, nowhere in az at all? no wage tax? just a state tax? they get their money soley from property and sales tax?

here we pay about 2100 per 100k in property value, 3% in state income, 3% in local income, and 7% in sales tax. what are the comparable rates there?

[Ponderosa]

Really generalized as people's circumstances can vary greatly, but:

Property 750/1000000,

No city income taxes anywhere

Sales - about 8.25% depending in what city it is. Food less.

State income - figure 10-15% of the federal amount you pay though they withhold more than that.

Vehicle license tax - about 2-3% of what the car is worth every year. Motorhomes are taxed the same and the bill can be staggering, so keep that in mind if you have a newer MH.

Taxes here are much lower than in NE US.

When thinking about places to live you have to consider how you fit in with the approach to taxation in that state. Arizona is very favorable to those who have large incomes and large homes and tougher on those who spend most of their income - the opposite of a place like Oregon.

[military spouse]

We moved from PA about 6 months ago. Arizona has no local/borough wage tax and non of the other annual taxes associated with occupation. Be prepared for much higher sales tax and you will be shocked at the cost of auto registration. Say goodbye to annual registration of $36/year. I THINK we payed close to $800 for a 2005 Dodge Caravan and 2006 Honda Civic.

[aj661]

Originally Posted by military spouse

We moved from PA about 6 months ago. Arizona has no local/borough wage tax and non of the other annual taxes associated with occupation. Be prepared for much higher sales tax and you will be shocked at the cost of auto registration. Say goodbye to annual registration of $36/year. I THINK we payed close to $800 for a 2005 Dodge Caravan and 2006 Honda Civic.

If you paid an income tax to your town in PA, you shouldn't be "shocked" by our registration taxes. As Ponderosa pointed out, our property taxes are dirt cheap compared to many other states. Anywhere you live, the government is going to get 'THEIRS' no matter what-the only question is from what source of income they are going to take it.

If a persons number one issue in life is to pay the lowest amount of taxes possible, they should choose their home state accordingly: Arizona is a good choice if you want to own property and drive an average vehicle.
It's poor choice if you want to life in an apartment and drive a Rolls-Royce. Overall though, I think we do pretty well in a match up with other states in total taxes paid.

[pghsebring]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

Really generalized as people's circumstances can vary greatly, but:

Property 750/1000000,

No city income taxes anywhere

Sales - about 8.25% depending in what city it is. Food less.

State income - figure 10-15% of the federal amount you pay though they withhold more than that.

Vehicle license tax - about 2-3% of what the car is worth every year. Motorhomes are taxed the same and the bill can be staggering, so keep that in mind if you have a newer MH.

Taxes here are much lower than in NE US.

When thinking about places to live you have to consider how you fit in with the approach to taxation in that state. Arizona is very favorable to those who have large incomes and large homes and tougher on those who spend most of their income - the opposite of a place like Oregon.

Wait, do you mean $750.00 per ONE MILLION? Or $750.00 per one hundred thousand (100,000)?

Your property taxes are less either way, your sales tax is only about 1.25% higher (and the amount spent that actually falls under that tax isn't that much anyways). I see your car registration is higher - how do they figure it out? Use a kelley blue book value or something?

I see your state income tax rate varies from 2.59% to 4.54% - which is better than the flat 3.07% here (plus 3% city tax too).

The reason i'm asking all this is to do what you said in the last paragraph - i'm trying to decide if i'd be taxed more or less moving there. So far, it seems like much less...

Here's another question: A 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath, 2 car internal garage, 1200 sqft home on a 11000 sqft lot in a very low crime, pretty nice area - how much? Range of prices maybe?

[sablebaby]

Originally Posted by pghsebring

Here's another question: A 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath, 2 car internal garage, 1200 sqft home on a 11000 sqft lot in a very low crime, pretty nice area - how much? Range of prices maybe?

Well, there's an occasional newer home on 11,000 sf lot (most are 6-7000), most likely you'd have to find an older home, but usually they would be bigger than 1200sf. The range can be all over the place, especially with the market the way it is and the foreclosures. Hopefully, one of the RE agents can answer this more accurately. But, I'd say, in a nice area, $250-400k. There's a nice home down the street from me...1436sf, built in 96, 3/2, 2 car garage, 11,000 sf lot, pool, for $244k (I bought the exact house without a pool, on a smaller lot, but more upgraded for $301, 2 years ago). It's a good deal. It's a great safe area.

[Lovehound]

Originally Posted by pghsebring

Wait, do you mean $750.00 per ONE MILLION? Or $750.00 per one hundred thousand (100,000)?

Same question from me. It would be interesting to know what the property taxes are. Also, I presume this rate is set by each county, right? So anybody quoting a property tax rate should probably qualify whether it's the whole state or some specific county.

Are there any limitations on how much and how often your property taxes can be increased? For example, in California your taxes can be raised only 2 percent per year (IIRC) and are based on the purchase price and year you bought it. (The new owner does not benefit from the old owner's tax limitation.)

[pghsebring]

Originally Posted by sablebaby

Well, there's an occasional newer home on 11,000 sf lot (most are 6-7000), most likely you'd have to find an older home, but usually they would be bigger than 1200sf. The range can be all over the place, especially with the market the way it is and the foreclosures. Hopefully, one of the RE agents can answer this more accurately. But, I'd say, in a nice area, $250-400k. There's a nice home down the street from me...1436sf, built in 96, 3/2, 2 car garage, 11,000 sf lot, pool, for $244k (I bought the exact house without a pool, on a smaller lot, but more upgraded for $301, 2 years ago). It's a good deal. It's a great safe area.

Yikes....that's 100-200k here...how much are the taxes on that? What would you consider "very nice, safe" areas? Peoria? Paradise Valley? Scottsdale? Chandler? Gilbert? Others?