US Taxes
Income Taxes In Brief:
In the US, everyone who makes over a certain amount of money in a year must pay income tax. Money is withheld from each of your paychecks by your employer and paid to the US government. When you get a job, you fill out a "W-4" form, which helps your employer to calculate how much tax to withhold from your pay.
Then, at the end of year, you must file a US and a state tax return, which is a form that lists your income and any tax deductions that apply to calculate whether you owe an addition sum, or will receive a tax refund. You will receive a "W-2 form from your employer(s) showing how much you were paid and how much was deducted for the year. You will use this information to fill out your tax return form. The deadline to file this paperwork is April 15 each year.
In the US, everyone who makes over a certain amount of money in a year must pay income tax. Money is withheld from each of your paychecks by your employer and paid to the US government. When you get a job, you fill out a "W-4" form, which helps your employer to calculate how much tax to withhold from your pay.
Then, at the end of year, you must file a US and a state tax return, which is a form that lists your income and any tax deductions that apply to calculate whether you owe an addition sum, or will receive a tax refund. You will receive a "W-2 form from your employer(s) showing how much you were paid and how much was deducted for the year. You will use this information to fill out your tax return form. The deadline to file this paperwork is April 15 each year.
Here are some resources to help you make sense of American income taxes:
- A Tax Guide for US Immigrants, compiled by TurboTax, an automated, online tax filing program.
- Tips for Green Card Holders: published by The Balance, an online resource about money and investing.
- US Taxes and Immigration Consequences from CitizenPath
- Tax information from LivingAmerican.com
Sales tax is a small amount you pay to the State of Arkansas, Washington County, and the City of Fayetteville for each dollar you spend on goods and services.
In Arkansas, most goods are taxed at a rate of 6.5%. Most food is taxed at the lower rate of 1.5%.
Washington County applies a tax of 1.25%, and the City of Fayetteville applies a tax of 2%.
This brings total taxes on most goods and services in Fayetteville to 9.75%.
Note that tax is not included in the price you see on items for purchase. The additional cost is included at the cash register when you pay.
Arkansans are required to pay personal property taxes every year. Personal property taxes are applied to items such as vehicles, trailers, motorcycles, etc. In Fayetteville these are paid to the Washington County tax collector. Learn more about how to pay your property tax.
These taxes are due by October 15 each year. There is a fee for late payment.
Note: You will not be able to renew your vehicle tags until you have paid property tax on the vehicle for the previous year.
Property Assessment
Between January 1 and May 31 of each year, you must have your taxable property (such as cars, trailers, motorcycles, etc.) assessed so you will know how much tax you will need to pay.
Learn more about how to get your property assessed