by Ethan Faverino | Jan 28, 2026 | Economy, News
By Ethan Faverino |
Arizona State Representative Chris Lopez (R-LD16) introduced House Bill 2826, which would exempt materials such as concrete, used in the improvement and maintenance of agricultural irrigation canals, from Arizona’s transaction privilege tax on prime contracting.
The “No Tax on Concrete” bill aims to reduce costs for farmers, strengthen water conservation efforts, support food affordability, and boost irrigation efficiency by conserving water resources critical to Arizona’s agricultural sector as the state faces ongoing water security challenges.
Specifically, HB 2826 would establish a targeted exemption under the prime contracting classification in ARS § 42-5075 for materials and supplies used to improve and maintain ditches, irrigation lines, and canals on agricultural lands.
Concrete-lined canals offer significant benefits over traditional unlined earthen canals. Unlined systems can lose 30%-50% or more of conveyed water volume to seepage into permeable soils.
By contrast, concrete lining reduces these losses dramatically, increases flow velocity, minimizes erosion and weed growth, and lowers long-term maintenance needs. Such projects can save thousands of acre-feet of water annually, providing a highly cost-effective approach to water conservation.
Projects funded by the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona (WIFA) and awarded to irrigation districts—Buckeye Water Conservation & Drainage District, San Carlos Irrigation & Drainage District, and Roosevelt Irrigation District—are anticipated to conserve between 135,000 and 368,864 acre-feet over their lifetimes, at only an estimated cost of $2 to $3 per acre-foot.
“The House Republican Majority Plan is focused on affordability, and that starts with food on the table and the cost of water to produce that food,” stated Rep. Lopez. “Converting dirt canals to concrete-lined canals saves thousands of gallons of water, which reduces pumping costs, energy, and other expenses that go into the price of food. Eliminating the tax on concrete and other contracting costs to convert these canals to concrete lining not only helps to reduce the costs even further but also helps to conserve water at a time when water conservation has never been more critical for our state.”
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Jan 23, 2026 | Economy, News
By Ethan Faverino |
Arizona State Representative Leo Biasiucci (R-LD30) has introduced House Bill 2839, bipartisan legislation that would prohibit cities and towns across Arizona from imposing transaction privilege taxes or similar local taxes on food items that are eligible for purchase with benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
“In her State of the State address, Governor Hobbs said she wants to lower taxes for hardworking Arizona families,” stated Rep. Biasiucci. “I’m taking her at her word and answering that call by introducing HB 2839. This bill removes local taxes from the one thing every family needs to survive—food.”
HB 2839 amends ARS Section 42-6015 to clarify that municipalities may not levy transaction privilege, sales, use, franchise, or other similar taxes on SNAP and WIC-eligible food items, regardless of whether the purchaser participates in those programs.
These federal programs cover basic, essential foods such as fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy, breads, and other necessities for “home consumption.” Taxing these items increases costs for families already facing tight budgets, and the bill aims to provide tax relief by extending the exemption uniformly.
“Taxing SNAP and WIC food purchases is wrong. These are necessities, not luxuries,” added Biasiucci. “If the Governor is serious about lowering taxes, this bill should be an easy yes. If she vetoes it, that will speak volumes. Arizonans will know exactly where she really stands when she talks about tax relief for families.”
The legislation would apply retroactively to taxable periods beginning on or after the first day of the month following the general effective date, ensuring swift relief if enacted. Supporters highlight that approximately 70 Arizona municipalities currently impose some form of tax on food, and this measure could help families save hundreds of dollars annually on groceries.
Representative Biasiucci is joined by a bipartisan group of co-sponsors, including four Democratic representatives, fifteen Republican representatives, and one Democratic senator.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | Jan 15, 2026 | Economy, News
By Matthew Holloway |
Arizona State Representative Chris Lopez (R-LD16) introduced legislation aimed at reducing costs for ranchers and, ultimately, consumers at the grocery store.
House Bill 2152, dubbed the “No Tax on Troughs” bill, would eliminate Arizona’s transaction privilege tax on water systems and infrastructure improvements on both public and private grazing lands.
The measure targets essential ranching expenses, including fence lines, fence posts, drinking troughs, water lines, and storage tanks, by exempting them from a tax that Lopez says unnecessarily raises operational costs for livestock producers.
“Families are paying more for beef every time they check out at the grocery store,” Representative Lopez said in a press release announcing the bill’s introduction. “Ranchers are facing higher costs just to keep cattle fenced and hydrated, and Arizona is taxing those costs. That cost gets passed straight to consumers.”
Under current law, improvements to grazing infrastructure on federal grazing land, which become federal property once installed, remain subject to Arizona’s sales tax, with no reimbursement to ranchers after ownership transfers. Lopez’s proposal would end that tax treatment.
“At a time when federal land policies already make ranching harder, Arizona should not be adding another layer of cost,” he added.
The Arizona Farm Bureau has publicly argued that farms and ranches face substantial tax pressures, anticipating a potential $5,125 per year increase if federal agriculture tax provisions lapse. The Bureau added that these strains affect decisions on capital expenses like water systems and fencing.
The proposal comes as ranchers across Arizona continue to face rising operational pressures tied to drought conditions, water access, regulatory requirements, and higher input costs. Agricultural groups have warned that these factors have tightened margins for livestock producers and contributed to higher beef prices nationwide.
Arizona’s transaction privilege tax, which functions as a tax on the privilege of doing business rather than a traditional sales tax, has been the subject of multiple reform efforts in recent years as lawmakers debate exemptions and carve-outs for various industries.
Supporters of HB 2152 argue that reducing tax burdens on ranching infrastructure would help lower costs for producers, support wildlife habitat stewardship on public lands, and provide downstream relief for Arizona families at the grocery store.
Lopez represents Legislative District 16, which includes portions of Pinal and Pima Counties.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Jonathan Eberle | Dec 28, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Arizona businesses have just days remaining to renew their 2026 transaction privilege tax (TPT) license and remain in compliance with state tax law. The renewal deadline is January 1, 2026, and licenses that are not renewed or canceled by January 31 will continue to accrue penalties.
State officials are encouraging businesses to act early to avoid additional fees and administrative issues. Renewals can be completed quickly through AZTaxes.gov, which allows taxpayers to file, pay, and renew licenses online. According to state requirements, businesses operating multiple locations must complete their TPT renewals electronically.
To help taxpayers avoid delays and common errors, the Arizona Department of Revenue has outlined best practices for the renewal process, including verifying account information before submitting payment and ensuring all required filings are complete.
The renewal requirement also applies to certain out-of-state businesses. Remote sellers and marketplace facilitators that do not have a physical presence in Arizona but generate more than $100,000 in gross sales to Arizona customers are required to renew their TPT licenses for 2026. Businesses that did not meet that threshold may consider canceling their license if it is no longer needed.
Once renewal fees are fully paid, the state will mail the TPT License Certificate to the mailing address on file. Taxpayers are advised to review and update their mailing address in the system prior to renewing to ensure timely delivery of the certificate. Businesses that have closed or ceased operations are urged to formally cancel their TPT license. Canceling a license helps prevent unnecessary renewal obligations, fees, and penalties and ensures the business’s account history remains in good standing.
The Department of Revenue also offers a video tutorial that walks taxpayers through the renewal process step by step. Additional reminders and tips are shared through the agency’s social media channels as the deadline approaches. With the January 1 deadline nearing, state officials recommend that businesses complete their renewals as soon as possible to avoid penalties and ensure uninterrupted compliance for the 2026 tax year.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | Jun 25, 2025 | Economy, News
By Matthew Holloway |
Earlier this month, Goodyear’s City Council passed a massive $1.2 billion budget for 2026, unchanged from the tentative budget presented to the city in May. The budget is a shocking increase of over $304 million year-over-year or approximately 25.3%, without increasing its combined property tax rate or sales tax.
Goodyear Mayor Joe Pizzillo told reporters that the city was impacted by the loss of the city transaction privilege tax (TPT), eliminated as of Jan. 1st, 2025, through Republican tax reforms passed in the state legislature over the objections of Arizona Cities and Towns.
“A lot of cities here in the valley unfortunately had to raise their taxes to make up those $234 million…more than likely (which will) be doubling over the next five to 10 years,” Pizzillo said. “The city of Goodyear did not raise its sales tax or its combined property tax rate.”
Similar to property tax changes in Maricopa County, the city’s Truth in Taxation notice recorded an increase of $303,271. However, the overall property tax rate will not see an increase. This was accomplished by increasing the primary property tax rate, which is statutorily limited to an increase of 2%, while decreasing the secondary property tax keeping the rate effectively the same at $1.74 per $100 assessed property valuation.
In December 2024, Lee Grafstrom, a tax policy expert with Arizona Cities and Towns, told Fox10 that municipalities aren’t “cutting any of the services that citizens are requesting and requiring, so, we still have to do all the same amount of work. We just have this much less money to do it.”
“We have to find a way to either cut services or make up that shortfall,” he added. “This is a minor piece of a solution to a much larger problem, in terms of housing affordability.”
Finance Manager Ryan Bittle asked rhetorically, “‘Why is my property tax bill going up if the rate isn’t changed?’ (It) is one of the typical questions you might hear, and that’s simply because the value of your property is likely more this year than it was last year.”
The changes, according to Bittle, will bring more consistent revenues to Goodyear’s general fund. He explained that the secondary tax rate can only be used for servicing the city’s debts, while the primary property tax provides revenue for approximately 8% of the general fund on an ongoing basis.
In addition, Bittle explained that most of the property taxes paid by Goodyear property owners goes toward education, by a wide margin. “Most of the property taxes paid by citizens here in Goodyear falls outside of council’s decision-making authority,” Bittle said, noting that a full 66% of the collected taxes fund schools with just 15 cents on the dollar going to the city’s coffers.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
