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Office of the State Assessor

Alaska Tax Facts

  • Alaska is the largest of 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 162 incorporated municipalities (local governments), 18 of which 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.
  • One hundred and four 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 within Alaska range 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 2012, local governments generated approximately $1.56  billion in revenues from property taxes, sales taxes and severance taxes. Of that amount $1.25 billion was from property taxes.
  • Prudhoe Bay and the Trans-Alaska Pipeline (TAPs) contribute a little over $382  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 $137,270 which equated to a tax exemption of $1,880 for 2012.  
  • In 2012, the total full value for all municipalities (over 750 in population) was $101.3 billion (including TAPS). With a statewide population of 722,190 the per-capita full value was $140,307.
  • The average per-capita property tax paid in all municipalities, excluding oil and gas properties, was $1,379.
  • There is no statewide sales tax levied.
  • There is no personal state income tax.