Registering a motor vehicle usually happens once a year. In Arizona this process comes at a greater cost than in other states. However, the legal office has information that may help in the process.
Arizona has extended a boon to military members, both Arizona residents and nonresidents. In order to take advantage of this benefit, there are requirements.
Nonresident requirements
Arizona determines nonresidents as personnel living in Arizona but paying state taxes to another state. The other state is determined to be the state of legal residency. For this group of people, Arizona has put in place a program to alleviate the tax registration burden as long as the nonresident meets the following six requirements:
· The member is the sole or joint owner of the vehicle as shown by the registration
· The vehicle is for personal use and not for a business
· The member is not a resident of Arizona but a resident of another state
· The member is not registered to vote in nonpresidential elections in Arizona
· The member is part of the Armed Services stationed in Arizona in compliance with military orders or is stationed overseas in compliance with military orders, and received those orders while stationed in Arizona and has a dependent that remains in Arizona
· The member understands that providing false information may be punishable under state law or the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
If these requirements are met and it's time to register or purchase a vehicle, Airmen should go to the legal office during regular operating hours with a copy of the most recent leave and earning statement. The LES is used to verify that state taxes are paid to a state other than Arizona.
For Airmen on unaccompanied tours, dependents may get the form on their behalf, providing the Airmen were stationed in Arizona prior to receiving overseas orders and have a dependent remaining in Arizona. An Airman must provide a power of attorney to the person driving the Airman's car along with a copy of the Airman's LES to get the form.
Residents of Arizona may be entitled as well. As long as the Airman was stationed outside of Arizona in support of world-wide contingency operations or deployed, the Airman may be able to receive the form. Simply provide the legal office with a copy of the orders and the most recent LES and to verify requirements.
For more information, call 623-856-6901.