Arizona Property Tax Refunds, Senior Renter Are You Eligible and Don't Know it?

Arizona Property Tax Refunds


Arizona property tax refunds are no longer for property owners only. Property tax is often passed from landlord to tenant, which means that many senior renters are paying taxes on property that they do not own.  This is often a small percentage of your monthly rental payment, but those small percentages can add up to hundreds of dollars per year.

Are you a retired senior who lives and pays rent in Arizona with the extra 1% to 3% tax burden added to your net rent payment each month?  Would you like to receive a refund for some of that money? If you qualify for the Arizona Property Tax Refund Credit, you can get that money back from the state. All you have to do is follow my guidance to file a couple of basic forms asking for your refund. I help you do just that throughout this website but especially in my eBook where I give indisputable proof of the refunds I have received from the state along with all the required steps on how I successfully file for a refund year after year; but right now, I want to cover the basic qualifications for this specific tax credit.

Arizona Property Tax Refund Qualifications

Age Requirements

You have until the end of December to turn 65 if you want to receive a refund of the property taxes that you’re paying on your rent in 2022. This is a senior tax relief program that is limited to people who are fully in the retirement age range.

Housing Requirements

The first thing you need to check is your rental lease. You want to determine that you do in fact live in a property that is assessed property tax from the state. If your landlord isn’t hit with a property tax bill, then you’re not likely paying that tax. If they are, then there’s a good chance that a portion of your monthly rental payment goes to this tax. This is the first qualification for this tax credit.

You also want to think about when you moved into this property and the chances that you will remain in this property until the end of the year. You need to live in this property from the first to last day of the year to qualify for our state's Property Tax Refund Credit program because you only receive the money if you have been paying property tax on your rental home for a full 12 months.

Finally, make sure that your lease lists you as a responsible party for the rent. If you receive tenant-based Section 8 or other housing assistance programs or subsidies, you will not qualify for this tax credit. It’s only available for those who are paying for their own rent either as an individual or a couple. Some households with multiple unmarried adults sharing the rent responsibility may also qualify. Regardless, the refund will be issued to the responsible senior who is the lessee. A multiple adult household must meet the same qualification guidelines mentioned here and throughout the pages of this website.

Primary Housing Only

This tax credit isn’t applicable to every rental home that you may pay for in 2022. You can use it for your primary home, that is, your main home where you live and rent throughout the year, but you cannot get additional tax credits for other leases that may feature your name.

Income Requirements

If you live alone, your total household income can go no higher than $3,751 if you are to qualify for this tax credit. This doesn’t include your Social Security benefits, but it may include SSI payments because they are taxable. If you have investments or receive funds from a retirement plan or pension fund, these will count as income. The program is designed to help low-income seniors, so count your income carefully before you take the time to file for this credit.

If you live with a partner, then your total household income can go no higher than $5,501 to maintain your eligibility. This gives you a bit more room to qualify, but you must consider all forms of taxable income for both people. Total household income amounts above ($3,751 and $5,501) under the Income Requirements sub-heading, refers to income on an annual basis and does not include your Social Security income benefits you receive each month even if you use your Social Security payments to pay your monthly rent.

Arizona Residency

Finally, you must remain a resident of Arizona State for the entire year of 2022. If you move out of the state for even one month, you probably won’t qualify to receive this property tax refund. This is true even if your name remains on your lease but you allow someone else to live in your rental apartment or home while you live out of state. There is a difference between living and visiting, so you can go on vacations in other states without worry. Your state of residency is what matters to determine your eligibility. Due to the full year residency requirement snowbirds are not eligible and are disqualified for the Arizona Property Tax Refund Credit.

Do You Qualify for the Arizona Property Tax Refund Credit?

As a senior renter who lives and pays rent in Arizona, if you meet all of these qualifications, you could receive $100 to $500 from the State of Arizona at the end of 2022. The deadline to file is the same as other individual federal and state income tax filing deadlines, April 15 each year, unless there are extenuating circumstances forcing a different due date; for example, the coronavirus pandemic of 2020 the deadline for filing 2019 tax returns was extended out to July 15, 2020. It happened again when the deadline for filing 2020 tax returns was extended to May 17, 2021. I will keep you updated on the date for 2022 taxes through this website, and I can also help you find the proper forms to file for your tax credit. Since the deadline of April 15 for filing 2022 returns falls on a Saturday in 2023, your returns won't be due until Monday, April 17, 2023.

Everything that you need to take advantage of the Arizona Property Tax Refund Credit is right here, and I can’t wait to help you get the money back that you deserve. Take action today to plan for your 2022 Arizona Property Tax Refund Credit filing. Once you've gone through the process with proper guidance, you will kick yourself as to why you didn't do this sooner!

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