ATA Fights Tucson Sales Tax on Rents

Scottsdale, Arizona, May 2, 2009. The American Tenants Association, the country’s only nationwide, grassroots advocate for the rights of residential renters, came out in support today of Tucson tenants fighting a proposed 2% sales tax on rents.

Calling the tax “regressive and discriminatory”, William M. Deegan, the ATA’s Executive Director, said that the tax falls too heavily on the poor, the elderly living on fixed incomes and young families. “This tax singles out those least able to afford it. At a time when everyone is being asked to cut back, it’s unfair for the city to load another financial burden on the backs of residential renters”, he noted.

Mr. Deegan indicated that the proposed rent tax is discriminatory because it is not assessed against property owners. “Renters pay for city services just as owners do. Our rents include payments for property taxes, garbage pick-up and water and sewer fees. To exclude property owners from the equation goes against every known concept of fairness”, he added.

The ATA says it has written to the Mayor and all members of the Tucson City Council to express its views. The City has until June 9 to adopt a final budget.

Noting that the rent tax is endemic in Arizona, Stan Dale, the ATA’s Director of Public Policy, said that the organization will launch an effort to eliminate discriminatory rent taxes throughout Arizona. “More than 25 Arizona cities have enacted a rent tax. This is blatant, institutionalized discrimination. The ATA will work to see that these taxes are eliminated”, Mr. Dale concluded.

Based in Scottsdale, the American Tenants Association serves as the voice for the more than 95 million Americans who rent their homes. Membership in the ATA is free and is open to all residential renters and advocates of tenants’ rights.