AZ Tax & Accounting Services
Kurt Simmons CPA provides comprehensive tax and financial services to individuals and businesses throughout Arizona (AZ). With its rapidly growing business environment and retirement destination, we understand the unique financial landscape that comes with doing business in Arizona.
Under the CPA Mobility Act, our CPA — licensed in Maryland, Delaware, and Florida — is authorized to provide the full range of attestation, tax, and advisory services to Arizona clients without the need for an additional state license. This means Arizona individuals and businesses receive the same comprehensive service as our home-state clients: financial statement audits, tax strategy, IRS representation, virtual CFO services, and every other service we offer — delivered through our technology-forward, virtual-first practice model.
CPA Services Available in Arizona (AZ)
AZ Individual Tax Preparation
Comprehensive federal and Arizona state tax return preparation, including complex returns with investments, rental properties, and self-employment income.
Learn More →AZ Business Tax Services
Tax preparation and planning for Arizona-based businesses including S-Corps, C-Corps, partnerships, LLCs, and sole proprietorships.
Learn More →AZ Cryptocurrency Tax
Specialized crypto tax services for Arizona investors and traders. DeFi, NFTs, staking rewards, and exchange reporting handled with expertise.
Learn More →AZ Trader Tax Services
Mark-to-market elections, wash sale tracking, and tax optimization strategies for active traders in Arizona.
Learn More →AZ IRS Resolution
Professional representation before the IRS for Arizona taxpayers facing audits, collections, liens, levies, or offers in compromise.
Learn More →AZ 83(b) Elections
Equity compensation planning and 83(b) election filing for Arizona startup employees and founders receiving restricted stock.
Learn More →AZ Financial Statement Audits
Full-scope GAAS-compliant financial statement audits for businesses, nonprofits, and organizations requiring independent assurance.
Learn More →AZ Review Engagements
Limited assurance engagements providing meaningful confidence in financial statements for lender requirements and stakeholder reporting.
Learn More →AZ Compilations
Professionally prepared financial statements from management-provided data for internal reporting, small business needs, and bank presentations.
Learn More →AZ Agreed-Upon Procedures
Targeted, customized engagements designed to address specific areas of concern with flexible scope tailored to stakeholder needs.
Learn More →AZ Employee Benefit Plan Audits
DOL-compliant audits for 401(k), pension, and employee benefit plans meeting ERISA filing requirements and fiduciary obligations.
Learn More →AZ Tax Strategy & Advisory
Proactive, year-round tax planning that identifies savings opportunities. Entity structure optimization, multi-state planning, and strategic initiatives.
Learn More →AZ Cost Segregation Studies
Engineering-based analysis to accelerate depreciation deductions on commercial and residential rental properties, maximizing cash flow.
Learn More →AZ Virtual CFO Services
Fractional CFO capabilities including financial modeling, cash flow management, KPI dashboards, and strategic financial leadership.
Learn More →AZ Business Consulting
Operational assessments, process improvement, internal control design, and strategic planning to drive efficiency and profitability.
Learn More →AZ Estate & Succession Planning
Comprehensive estate planning, business succession strategies, and wealth transfer optimization for business owners and high-net-worth individuals.
Learn More →AZ Capital Markets Advisory
Securities compliance, FINRA regulatory guidance, and capital markets advisory for businesses navigating public offerings, private placements, and broker-dealer requirements.
Learn More →Arizona Audit Services in Detail
Arizona businesses, nonprofits, and benefit plan sponsors typically need an independent audit when state law, federal rules, lenders, grantmakers, or boards require external assurance. We perform GAAS-compliant attest engagements scoped to the specific assurance need — most commonly:
Arizona Nonprofit Audits
Arizona does not impose a state-mandated audit threshold for nonprofits beyond its general charitable solicitation requirements. Audited financial statements are routinely required by major Arizona funders — including the Arizona Community Foundation, the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust, the Helios Education Foundation, the Flinn Foundation, the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, the Steele Foundation, the United Way affiliates, and federal subrecipient grantors. We deliver nonprofit audits that meet major funder expectations and Form 990 supporting requirements, including Arizona Qualifying Charitable Organization (QCO) and Qualifying Foster Care Charitable Organization (QFCO) status compliance.
Arizona 401(k) & Employee Benefit Plan Audits
Arizona plan sponsors filing Form 5500 generally require an ERISA-compliant audit when the plan has 100 or more participants with account balances at the start of the plan year — the participant-counting rule effective post-SECURE 2.0. We perform full-scope and §103(a)(3)(C) limited-scope benefit plan audits for 401(k), 403(b), and defined-benefit plans across Arizona, including plans sponsored by semiconductor manufacturers (TSMC's Phoenix fabs, Intel's Chandler operations), aerospace and defense companies (Honeywell, Raytheon Missiles & Defense in Tucson, Northrop Grumman), Banner Health and other Arizona healthcare systems, and rapidly growing fintech/SaaS startups across the Phoenix metro.
Arizona Single Audits (Uniform Guidance)
Arizona nonprofits, municipalities, school districts, tribal nations, and pass-through subrecipients that expend $1,000,000 or more in federal awards in a fiscal year (the OMB threshold for fiscal years beginning on or after October 1, 2024) are subject to the Single Audit requirements of 2 CFR Part 200. We perform Uniform Guidance Single Audits, including major-program testing, internal control work, and preparation of the SEFA.
Arizona Lender, Bonding & Investor Audits
Arizona banks, surety companies, and Arizona-based private equity, venture, and growth investors frequently require audited financial statements as a condition of credit facilities, surety capacity, or capital raises. We deliver audited financials on the timeline lenders, bonding agents, and institutional investors need.
Arizona Reviews & Compilations
Where a full audit is not required, we deliver review engagements (limited assurance) and compilations (no assurance) — both routinely accepted by Arizona lenders, by acquirers in AZ M&A diligence, and by stakeholders requiring CPA-prepared financial statements.
Arizona (AZ) Tax & Business Landscape
Key Arizona Tax Numbers. Personal income tax: 2.5% flat (effective tax year 2023) — among the lowest flat-rate structures in the country (down from a previous graduated system with a 4.5% top). Corporate income tax: 4.9%. Sales and use tax: 5.6% state Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT), plus city and county TPT bringing combined rates to approximately 8%–11.2%. Estate tax: none. Pass-through entity (PTE) elective tax: 2.5% available since tax year 2022 (matching the flat personal rate). Arizona Charitable Tax Credit: dollar-for-dollar state income tax credits (not deductions) — up to $470/$938 (single/MFJ) for QCO donations, $587/$1,173 for QFCO, $200/$400 for Public School, $400/$800 for Private School Tuition, and others.
Filing Mechanics. Individuals file Form 140 (residents), 140PY (part-year residents), or 140NR (nonresidents). C-corporations file Form 120. Partnerships file Form 165; S-corps file Form 120S. PTE election is made on partnership/S-corp returns. Returns are due April 15 and administered by the Arizona Department of Revenue. Transaction Privilege Tax is filed with the AZ Department of Revenue on TPT-EZ or TPT-2.
Arizona Charitable Tax Credit Strategy. Arizona's Charitable Tax Credit program is one of the most generous in the country: dollar-for-dollar state income tax credits (not just deductions) for donations to qualifying organizations. The credits can stack across categories (QCO + QFCO + Public School + Private School + others), and donations made by April 15 of the following year can apply to the prior tax year. For a typical AZ taxpayer, the program effectively allows you to redirect over $2,000-$3,000 of state income tax to your chosen Arizona charities each year. We help AZ residents and businesses maximize Charitable Tax Credit utilization.
Arizona Economy & Who We Serve. Arizona's economy is driven by semiconductor manufacturing — TSMC's massive Phoenix fab complex (the largest greenfield foreign direct investment in U.S. history) and Intel's Chandler campus — plus aerospace and defense (Honeywell HQ in Phoenix, Raytheon Missiles & Defense in Tucson, Northrop Grumman, Boeing's helicopter operations), healthcare (Banner Health, Mayo Clinic Arizona), tourism and hospitality (Scottsdale resorts, Sedona, Grand Canyon), real estate and construction, retiree services, military (Luke AFB, Davis-Monthan AFB, Fort Huachuca), copper mining, and rapidly growing fintech and SaaS startups. Our typical AZ clients include semiconductor and tech executives with equity compensation, real estate investors and short-term rental operators, snowbirds with multi-state residency considerations, retirees, and high-net-worth families relocated from California, Illinois, and the Northeast.
CPA Mobility in Arizona. Arizona has adopted CPA mobility provisions under the Uniform Accountancy Act, allowing CPAs in active good standing in another U.S. jurisdiction to provide tax, advisory, and (subject to applicable firm-level requirements) attest services to Arizona clients without obtaining a separate Arizona individual license. Kurt Simmons holds active CPA licenses in Maryland, Delaware, and Florida, and we confirm all applicable Arizona State Board of Accountancy mobility and firm registration requirements before commencing any engagement.
Cities and Communities We Serve. Our virtual-first practice serves clients across all of Arizona, including Phoenix (state capital; largest city; semiconductor, aerospace), Tucson (Raytheon, U of A, mining), Mesa, Chandler (Intel), Scottsdale (resorts, finance), Gilbert, Glendale, Tempe (ASU), Peoria, Surprise, Sedona and Flagstaff (Northern Arizona), Sun City and the retirement communities, the Phoenix metro East Valley/West Valley, and every Arizona county.
Why Arizona Clients Choose Us
- GAAS-compliant audit, review, and compilation experience for nonprofits, benefit plans, and privately held businesses
- Deep expertise in AZ-specific issues: Arizona Charitable Tax Credit maximization (QCO, QFCO, Public/Private School, etc.), AZ PTE elections, Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) registration and compliance, residency planning for high-tax-state relocators (especially CA), and semiconductor/TSMC/Intel equity compensation planning
- Capital markets background — Kurt Simmons has passed the Series 65 examination (Passed; not currently held as an active license) in addition to holding the CPA
- Specialized practices in cryptocurrency taxation, active trader tax, and 83(b) elections for AZ semiconductor/tech/SaaS startup employees
- Technology-forward, virtual-first delivery — secure client portal, e-signature, and video consultations
- Transparent, fixed-fee engagements where possible — no surprise hourly invoices
Arizona CPA — Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an Arizona-licensed CPA, or can an out-of-state CPA handle my AZ tax and audit work?
Arizona has adopted CPA mobility provisions under the Uniform Accountancy Act. A CPA in active good standing in another U.S. jurisdiction is generally authorized to provide tax, advisory, and attest services to Arizona clients without holding a separate Arizona individual license. Kurt Simmons holds active CPA licenses in Maryland, Delaware, and Florida, and we confirm any applicable firm-level Arizona State Board of Accountancy registration before commencing attest engagements.
What is Arizona's income tax rate, and when is the AZ return due?
Arizona has a flat 2.5% personal income tax effective tax year 2023 — among the lowest flat rates in the country (down from a graduated structure with a 4.5% top rate). Form 140 (residents), 140PY (part-year), or 140NR (nonresidents) is due April 15. The AZ corporate income tax is 4.9%.
Does Arizona have a SALT-cap workaround for partnerships and S-corps?
Yes. Arizona enacted an elective Pass-Through Entity Tax effective for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2022. Eligible S-corps and partnerships pay 2.5% (matching the personal flat rate) at the entity level, and members receive a corresponding credit on Form 140.
What is the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit?
Arizona's Charitable Tax Credit program offers dollar-for-dollar state income tax credits (not just deductions) for donations to qualifying organizations: up to $470 single / $938 MFJ for Qualifying Charitable Organizations (QCO), $587 / $1,173 for Qualifying Foster Care Charitable Organizations (QFCO), $200 / $400 for the Public School Tax Credit, $400 / $800 for the Private School Tuition Tax Credit, and others. These can stack and effectively redirect AZ tax to your chosen charities. Donations made by April 15 can apply to the prior tax year. We help AZ taxpayers maximize Charitable Tax Credits.
What is Arizona Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT), and how is it different from sales tax?
Arizona's Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) is technically a tax on the seller for the privilege of doing business in Arizona — though it is typically passed through to consumers like a sales tax. The state TPT rate is 5.6%, with city and county TPT rates bringing the combined total to approximately 8% to 11.2% depending on jurisdiction. Out-of-state sellers meeting AZ economic nexus thresholds must register and remit TPT. We handle TPT registration and compliance routinely.
I'm relocating to Arizona from California. What residency steps do I need?
Arizona has become a top destination for relocators from California — driven by AZ's 2.5% flat tax (vs CA's 13.3% top), no state estate tax, and rapidly growing tech/semiconductor sector (TSMC, Intel). Key residency steps: AZ driver's license, voter registration, primary residence in AZ, banking and brokerage relocation, and demonstrating physical presence. With CA's aggressive residency audits — particularly around major liquidity events — pre-departure planning is critical. We provide pre-move planning and ongoing AZ residency documentation.
When does my Arizona nonprofit need an audit?
Arizona does not impose a state-mandated audit threshold for nonprofits beyond its general charitable solicitation requirements. Audited financial statements are typically required by lenders, federal grantmakers, the Arizona Community Foundation, the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust, the Helios Education Foundation, the Flinn Foundation, the United Way affiliates, and major Arizona funders. Federal Single Audit requirements under 2 CFR Part 200 apply when federal award expenditures exceed $1,000,000 in a fiscal year.