Alaska State Taxes: A Simple Guide
Alaska is known for having no state income tax on individuals and no statewide sales tax, but some local governments impose their own taxes. This guide gives a high-level overview.
âšī¸Important: This is a general education guide. Local rules vary widely in Alaska. Always check with your city or borough and official state sources for current details.
đģNo state income tax
Alaska does not impose a personal income tax on wages, salaries, or most other individual income. That usually means:
- âNo Alaska income tax is withheld from your paycheck.
- âYou generally do not file an Alaska personal income tax return.
- âYour main income tax filing is your federal Form 1040.
Note: Some business and resource-related taxes still apply at the state level, but those are outside this individual-focused overview.
đī¸Local sales and other taxes
Alaska has no statewide sales tax, but many cities and boroughs impose their own local sales taxes and other local taxes or fees.
- âĸThe total tax rate on purchases depends heavily on where you live or shop.
- âĸLocal rules determine which goods and services are taxable and what exemptions exist.
If you run a business, check with your local government about registration and collection requirements for their local taxes.
đĄProperty taxes
Property taxes in Alaska are imposed largely by municipalities and boroughs, based on the value of real property such as homes and land.
- âĸSome areas do not levy a property tax; others rely on it heavily.
- âĸWhere property taxes apply, homeowners receive bills from the local tax authority.
đPutting Alaska taxes together
For many residents, the annual tax picture in Alaska looks like:
- âĸFederal income tax (Form 1040)
- âĸLocal sales or use taxes (if imposed)
- âĸLocal property taxes in areas that levy them
If you're just getting started with taxes, begin with how to file your federal taxes and then layer in local Alaska rules based on your city or borough.