Don’t Risk Losing Your Property Tax-Exempt Status – File Affidavit by March 1

By Craig R. McPike, Hsin Pai and Julie H. Quigley

Arizona’s ad valorem property tax exemptions that are granted to many categories of exempt organizations (e.g., healthcare centers and institutions, arts and science organizations, and charitable community service providers) do not automatically renew from year to year. As such, most 501(c) exempt organizations with qualifying real and personal property located in Arizona must file an affidavit (along with any required supporting documentation) affirming their qualification for exempt status and reporting such property to their county assessors’ offices on or before Friday, March 1, 2019 to establish or maintain exempt ad valorem property tax treatment for 2019. Whether you are employed by or participate on the board of a local charitable organization, ensuring that the organization meets this deadline is a simple but important step toward ensuring that it avails itself of tax exemptions to which it is entitled. Contrastingly, an organization’s failure to meet the deadline can constitute waiver of these exemptions. Eligibility criteria can vary, depending on factors such as the nature of the organization and use or ownership of the underlying property. Please contact any member of Snell & Wilmer's State and Local Tax practice group with questions.