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State of Alaska > Commerce > DCRA > Office of the State Assessor    > Alaska Tax Facts
 
Alaska Tax Facts
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  • Alaska is the largest state in the United States, however, for all its vastness, only a small portion of the land mass is subject to a property tax.
  • There are approximately 395 communities in Alaska, many of which still remain unincorporated. There are 165 incorporated municipalities (Local Governments). Of those 165, 17 are incorporated into Boroughs (Boroughs are a rough equivalent to counties) and the remainder are incorporated as cities.
  • Of the 18 Boroughs, only 14 levy a property tax.
  • Only 11 Cities located outside of Boroughs levy a property tax. Therefore, only 25 municipalities in Alaska (either cities or boroughs) levy a property tax.
  • 89 municipalities (reporting) levy a general sales tax. Sales tax rates range from a low of 1% to a high of 7%.
  • The "typical" sales tax rates are from 2%-5%.
  • Other types of local taxes levied are raw fish taxes, hotel/motel "bed" taxes, severance taxes, liquor and tobacco taxes, gaming (pull tabs) taxes and fuel transfer taxes.
  • In 2008, local governments generated approximately $1.268 billion in revenues from property, sales and severance taxes. Of that amount $988.7 million was from property taxes.
  • Prudhoe Bay and the Trans-Alaska Pipeline (TAPs) contribute a little over $253.7 million in property taxes to local government.
  • Alaska exempts from property taxes, the first $150,000 of assessed value for all senior citizens (65 years of age and over) and disabled veterans (50% or more service connected disability).
  • The average assessed value exempted from taxes for senior citizens and disabled veterans is $138,468 which equated to a tax exemption of $1,821 for 2008.
  • In 2008, the total full value for all municipalities (over 750 in population) was $90.2 billion (including TAPS). With a statewide population of 676.987 the per capita full value was $133,225.
  • The average per capita property tax paid in all municipalities, excluding oil and gas properties, was $1,212.
  • There is no statewide sales tax levied.
  • There is no personal state income tax.

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For Directory of Municipal Assessors, and detailed information on
Alaska municipal taxes for 2008 see:
Note: The following document must be viewed and printed with Adobe Acrobat Reader.
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Directory of Taxing Jurisdictions - Municipal Assessor Contacts Adobe Acrobat Document
2008 Alaska Taxable - Detailed Information on Municipal Taxation Adobe Acrobat Document
2008 Alaska Taxable - Less the Statutes Adobe Acrobat Document