Prescott, Arizona

Prescott, Arizona Details

Known as “Everyone’s Home Town,” Prescott is located in Arizona’s mountains at 5,000 feet above sea level. It is located 95 miles north of Phoenix and 90 miles southwest of Flagstaff. It was established in 1864 and incorporated in 1881. Mile high Prescott is known for its ideal four season climate with mountain breezes and usually 20 degrees cooler than Phoenix. Prescott is consistently ranked by Money Magazine as a top 20 place to retire in the United States.

Larger employers include Yavapai County, Yavapai Regional Medical Center, Northern Arizona VA Health Care system, Prescott Unified School District, State of Arizona, City of Prescott, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Yavapai Community College, Wal-Mart and West Yavapai Guidance Center.

The airport caters to small, private and light aircraft and is immediately adjacent to the Antelope Hills Golf Course, a 36-hole public course. It also is offering non-stop flights to LAX beginning Fall 2008. There are also three private golf courses, Talking Rock Country Club, The Prescott Golf and Country Club and Quailwood Greens.

Quick Facts:
Newspapers in the area are The Daily Courier, Arizona Senior World Newspapers and The Arizona Republic.
There are over 700 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places
38,930 residents with 227,000 in surrounding Yavapai County

There are special classes for adults at Yavapai College and an active community bridge club. Bucks Casino and seasonal horse racing are nearby attractions. Rotary club, Youth Exchange, Chamber of Commerce Youth Division Boys Scouts, and Big Brothers/Big Sisters are some available activities. A main selling point is Prescott’s strong sense of history. Famous Whiskey Row and the beautiful town plaza, shaded by cottonwoods, are must see attractions.

Sales Tax

Corporate Income Tax
Flat tax of 6.968%. The minimum amount collected by Arizona Corporate Income Tax is $50.00

Sales Tax
Arizona has a general sales tax of 5.6%. Yavapai County has a .75% sales tax, and the City of Prescott has a 2% sales tax, for a total sales tax of 8.35%

Motor Vehicle Registration
Registration $8.00; Air Quality $1.50; Title Fee $4.00; Total Registration: $13.50

Vehicle License Tax
In addition to title and registration fees, Arizona assesses a vehicle license tax in lieu of a personal property tax on all vehicles registered in the State. This is based on the manufacturer’s based retail price for the vehicle, when new, less depreciation. The value of the vehicle is decreased 40% the first year and 15% each year thereafter. You will be charged a rate of $4.00 per $100.00 of the vehicle’s taxable value in any year. This will decrease to a minimum annual charge of $10.00. Required to have an Arizona Standardized Insurance Card.

Income Tax

State Income Tax
Tax rate is 10% to 32% of your Federal Income Tax

Income Exemptions

Social Security benefits and up to $2,500 on federal, Arizona state and local government pensions are exempt.

Estate Tax

None

Property Tax

Real property is accessed at the range of 1% – 1.5% of market value of owner occupied property. This includes State, County, Community Colleges, City and Schools.

Homestead Exemption

Those who are disabled or whose spouse died while residing in Arizona can receive an exemption of $3,000 off assessed value. TO qualify, the full cash value of one’s home must be less that $203,860.

Religion

Prescott has dozens of houses of worship, representing virtually every denomination.

Education

Yavapai Community College is a public two-year institution offering both university transfer credits and occupation education. Prescott College is a four-year liberal arts college. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical is a four-year university offering bachelors degrees in the fields of aviation and engineering.

Health

Yavapai Regional Medical Center has 136 beds and is fully accredited. Northern Arizona Veterans Administration Health Care System offers 25 beds, plus 120 beds for domiciliary care and a 90-bed nursing home care unit and long-term care facilities. Other area facilities include Las Fuentes Care Center, Peppertree Square of Prescott, Prescott Samaritan Village, Meadowpark Care Center, Mountain View Manor Center for Adult Day Care, Mi Casa Care Home Group and Margaret T.Morris Center (for Alzheimer’s care).