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    A.R.S. § 42-11104

    Property Tax Exemption for Arizona Schools and Libraries

    Verified May 17, 2026 • 57th Legislature, 1st Regular Session

    A.R.S. § 42-11104 exempts property used for educational and library purposes, including private schools, accredited colleges, and free public libraries. The property must be used exclusively for the qualifying purpose to keep the exemption.

    Title 42, PROPERTY TAX

    azleg.gov

    Scope note: RJP Estate Planning is not a law firm; legal services are provided by the licensed Arizona attorneys we partner with. RJP helps Arizona families with living trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and probate avoidance. Property tax matters are outside the scope of RJP’s services, and this page explains Arizona law for educational purposes only.

    What This Statute Says

    A.R.S. § 42-11104 exempts property used for educational and library purposes, including private schools, accredited colleges, and free public libraries. The property must be used exclusively for the qualifying purpose to keep the exemption.

    1. A school district pursuant to a lease or lease-purchase agreement under section 15-342, paragraph 9 or 10.

    A.R.S. § 42-11104

    The educational exemption reaches both public school districts (already exempt as government property) and qualifying private schools, colleges, and libraries. The "exclusive use" requirement is strict. Renting out classroom space for commercial events on weekends, for example, can jeopardize part of the exemption.

    For families donating real estate to a private school or college through a will or trust, this statute is the back end of the planning. The recipient gets the property tax-free for as long as the school uses it educationally.

    When This Statute Comes Into Play

    This statute typically becomes relevant in three situations. A property owner is reviewing an annual tax bill. An estate is being administered and the personal representative has to address ongoing property tax obligations. Or a charitable or nonprofit organization is claiming or maintaining an exemption. The statute is part of a larger framework in chapter 11 of title 42 and operates alongside the related sections cross-linked below.

    What This Means for Arizona Families

    Most families never think about Arizona property tax statutes until they are sitting at a closing table on an inherited home, reviewing an unexpected tax bill, or trying to claim an exemption for a surviving spouse. When that moment arrives, the rules in chapter 11 of title 42 are the framework you are working inside.

    If you are holding real property in a revocable living trust, the trust structure does not by itself remove the property from the tax rolls. The exemption has to come from a specific statute. Our FAQ on what to do with property you inherit in Arizona covers the immediate practical questions, and our FAQ on probate timelines covers how a contested or stalled administration can affect tax filings and exemptions.

    If you are administering an estate, the personal representative has a duty to keep property taxes current, to claim available exemptions where appropriate, and to maintain documentation in case the assessor reviews a claim later. Calendar the February exemption filing window each year for any property where a widow, widower, or disability exemption applies. Once the deadline passes, the saving for that year is usually lost.

    42-11104. Exemption for educational and library property A. Libraries, colleges, school buildings and other buildings that are used for education, with their furniture, libraries and equipment and the land that is appurtenant to and used with them, are exempt from taxation if they are used for education and not used or held for profit. B. Property and buildings are exempt from taxation if leased from: 1. A school district pursuant to a lease or lease-purchase agreement under section 15-342, paragraph 9 or 10. 2. A community college district pursuant to a lease or lease-purchase agreement under section 15-1444. C. Property and buildings, including land, improvements, furniture and equipment, that are owned by a nonprofit organization that is recognized under section 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue code and that operates as: 1. A charter school pursuant to section 15-183 are exempt from taxation beginning on the date the nonprofit organization acquires ownership of the property and buildings if the property and buildings are used for education and are not used or held for profit. 2. A trap and skeet shooting club that teaches, trains, sponsors, coaches or hosts or sponsors clinics, shooting leagues, competitive tournaments or other events, including hunter and firearm safety classes, are exempt from taxation if the property and buildings are used for education purposes and not used or held for profit. 3. A residential treatment and education facility are exempt from taxation beginning on the date the nonprofit organization acquires ownership of the property and buildings if the property and buildings are used for education and are not used or held for profit. D. Within ten days after receiving an initial affidavit of eligibility submitted under section 42-11152 by a nonprofit organization described under subsection C of this section, the county assessor, on request, shall issue a receipt for the affidavit. E. A nonprofit organization described under subsection C of this section shall file with the assessor the affidavit required by section 42-11152 and evidence of the organization's tax exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue code when initially claiming the exemption. F. A nonprofit organization described under subsection C of this section that acquires ownership of property that was previously owned by another nonprofit organization and used primarily for education shall comply with the requirements of section 42-11152 to qualify and establish eligibility for exemption. G. If a nonprofit organization described under subsection C of this section that holds title to property used primarily for education fails to file the affidavit required by section 42-11152 in a timely manner, but otherwise qualifies for exemption, the county board of supervisors, on petition by the organization, shall direct the county treasurer to: 1. Refund any property taxes paid by the organization for a tax year if the organization submits a claim for the refund to the county treasurer within one year after the date the taxes were paid. The county treasurer shall pay the claim within thirty days after it is submitted to the treasurer. The county treasurer is entitled to a credit for the refund in the next accounting period with each taxing jurisdiction to which the tax monies may have been transmitted. 2. Forgive and strike off from the tax roll any property taxes and accrued interest and penalties that are due but not paid.

    This page provides general legal information about Arizona statutes and is not legal advice. For guidance on how this law applies to your situation, speak with a qualified attorney.

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