WHEN YOU TURN 18

Q: What are taxes?

A: Taxes are mandatory payments made by individuals and businesses that help fund important elements of society. Taxes support things like schools, roads, parks, hospitals, military, Social Security, welfare assistance, police departments, and fire departments. (A.R.S. §43-202)

 

Q: How does the government collect taxes?

A: Two examples are income tax and sales tax:

  • Income tax is when the government takes a portion of the money you earn from your job. (A.R.S. §43-1011) Most people have taxes automatically deducted from their paychecks - a process known as 'withholding.' (A.R.S. §43-401) People must file their income taxes each year. If you do not withhold enough from your paychecks, you will owe more money after filing. If you withhold too much, the government will owe you a tax refund.
  • Sales tax is when the government adds extra money to what you pay when you buy things like goods or services. (A.R.S. §42-5010)

 

Q: Who is required to pay taxes?

A: Anyone over the age of 18 must pay taxes if their income exceeds the tax filing threshold set by the government each year. For example, in 2022, the threshold was $12,950 – so anyone who made more than that in 2022 is required to pay taxes for that year. Visit the IRS and Arizona Department of Revenue websites for the most recent tax filing thresholds.

 

Q: When are taxes due?

A: Income taxes are due on April 15th every year. However, if April 15th falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline may be extended by a few days. (A.R.S. §43-931)

 

Q: Who collects taxes?

A: The federal government and state governments both collect taxes. The IRS (Internal Revenue Service) is the federal agency responsible for collecting federal taxes and the Arizona Department of Revenue is the agency responsible for collecting taxes in Arizona. (A.R.S. §42-1004)

 

Q: How do I file my taxes?

A: One of the most common ways to file taxes is through online tax filing. Gather your financial documents, including your W2 (Employers are required to provide your W2 from the previous year by January 31st) and use an online tax filing service to complete the necessary forms and submit them electronically. You can also choose to pay a tax preparer to file your taxes for you. (A.R.S. §43-323)

*Remember - you must file taxes for both your federal taxes and state taxes!

 

Q: What happens if I don't pay my taxes?

A: It's crucial to pay your taxes on time. Failing to do so can lead to consequences including but not limited to:

  • Penalties and Interest: Federal and state governments may impose penalties and interest on the unpaid taxes, which can significantly increase the amount owed over time. (A.R.S. 42-1125)
  • Legal Action: The IRS has the authority to impose fines, wage garnishment, or even criminal prosecution in cases of tax evasion.
  • Damage to Credit Score: Unpaid taxes can negatively impact an individual's credit score, making it more challenging to secure loans or credit in the future.

 

Laws may have changed since the last time this article was updated.  The current and most up-to-date laws can be accessed here and here.

Q: What if I throw a party at my house?

A: If your party gets too loud or disturbs the peace, then you could be charged with "Disorderly Conduct" according to A.R.S. §13-2904.

 

Q: What is Disorderly Conduct?

A: Arizona law defines "Disorderly Conduct" (A.R.S. §13-2904) as:

  • Fighting, violent, or seriously disruptive behavior
  • Unreasonable noise
  • Abusive or offensive language or gestures to any person present in a manner likely to provoke immediate physical retaliation
  • Makes any lengthy commotion interfering with a lawful meeting or gathering
  • Refusing to obey a lawful order to disperse issued to maintain public safety in dangerous proximity to a fire hazard or emergency
  • Recklessly handling, displaying, or discharging a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument

 

Q: What do I do if people crash my party?

A: Crashing a party is trespassing, so it is illegal. If necessary, the police can be called to remove uninvited guests (A.R.S. §13-1504)

 

Laws may have changed since the last time this article was updated.  The current and most up-to-date laws can be accessed here. 

Q: What is a "Vapor Product"?

A: According to Arizona law (A.R.S. §13-3622), "Vapor product" means a noncombustible tobacco-derived product containing nicotine that employs a mechanical heating element, battery or circuit, regardless of shape or size, that can be used to heat a liquid nicotine solution contained in cartridges," (A.R.S. §13-3622).

 

Q: Are vaporizers/e-cigarettes legal to smoke at age 18 in Arizona?

A: A federal law was passed in December 2019 that prohibits the sale of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, to anyone under the age of 21. Additionally, some Arizona cities have passed city ordinances changing the legal age to 21 while other cities have created ordinances no longer allowing adults to vape in public areas. To see the vaping laws in your city, visit https://casaa.org/get-involved/state-locator/arizona.

 

Laws may have changed since the last time this article was updated.  The current and most up-to-date laws can be accessed here. 

Q: I am aging out of foster care, now what?

AYou’ve probably thought about this for a long time, but now that it’s closer – or here – leaving foster care can feel pretty overwhelming. Here’s another thought: in Arizona, you can transition out of foster care. You have options, support and opportunities that can begin before your 18th birthday – or later – and extend until you’re 21 years old and beyond.

It’s true that you have important decisions ahead of you including school, work, and housing, but you’ll have support and information to guide you. You’ll also have time to develop independent living skills, like how to budget your money and shop for healthy food. If you need to re-enter foster care for a while, you can do that," (FosteringAdvocatesArizona.org).

To access the information about the following resources, visit www.FosteringAdvocatesArizona.org:

  • Foster Club's Transition Toolkit
  • Independent Living Program
  • Transitional Independent Living Program
  • Independent Living Subsidy Program
  • Education & Training Voucher
  • Arizona Tuition Waiver
  • Young Adult Transitional Insurance

 

Q: What rights do I have in the foster care system?

AA foster care bill of rights lists protected rights and expectations for all people in the system, no matter their age. This list can be found under A.R.S. §8-529 and includes, but is not limited to, rights such as:

  • The ability to go to school
  • To attend court hearings and speak to the judge
  • To have records and personal information kept private

For those in the foster care system age 16 and older, rights include but are not limited to:

  • To be informed of educational opportunities before leaving foster care
  • To a transition plan that includes career planning and assistance with enrolling in an educational or vocational job training program
  • To receive assistance in obtaining an independent residency from their caseworker, attorney, or advocate when aging out of foster care

 

Q: I don’t have my birth certificate, how do I get one?

A: Your birth certificate, immunization records, and other personal information will be given to you within 30 days after leaving foster care (A.R.S. §8-529(B)(7)). If you are at least 16, you may also receive help getting a driver's license, social security card, and/or other personal identification (A.R.S. §8-529(B)(6)).

 

 

Laws may have changed since the last time this article was updated.  The current and most up-to-date laws can be accessed here. 

Please visit LawForKids.org for an expanded list of links to Arizona Legal Resources.

Abbreviations used:  

§ = Section of Law

A.R.S. = Arizona Revised Statutes, www.azleg.gov

USC = United States Code, www.gpo.gov 


Alcohol

Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control

(602)542-5141, www.azliquor.gov


Banking

Arizona Department of Financial Institutions

(602)771-2800, https://difi.az.gov/


Consumer Protection

Arizona Attorney General’s Consumer Complaints Division

(602)542-5763, (800)352-8431

www.azag.gov/consumer

Better Business Bureau of Central & Northern Arizona

(602)264-1721, (877)291-6222

www.arizonabbb.org


Divorce and Abuse

Maricopa County Superior Court Self-Service Centers

(602)506-7353, http://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/ SuperiorCourt/Self-ServiceCenter//

Southeast Facility (Mesa)

(602)506-7353

Northwest Regional Center (Surprise)

(602)372-9400

Arizona Supreme Court’s Domestic Violence Information Page

https://www.azcourts.gov/domesticviolencelaw/Domestic-Violence-Information/Domestic-Violence-Resources

City of Phoenix Family Advocacy Center

phoenix.gov/citzasst/fac.html 


Employment

Department of Economic Security (DES)

(800)352-8168, www.azdes.gov

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

(602)640-5000, Statewide (800)669-4000

www.eeoc.gov/


Guns & Weapons

Arizona Department of Public Safety

(602)223-2000, https://www.azdps.gov/

Concealed Weapon Permit Unit

(602)256-6280, (800)256-6280

U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF),

(800)800-3855, www.atf.gov

U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)

(202)514-2000, www.usdoj.gov 


Housing

Arizona Housing Department

(602)771-1000, https://housing.az.gov/

City of Phoenix Housing

(602)262-6794, www.phoenix.gov/housing


Immigration

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

www.uscis.gov


Jury Duty

Maricopa County Superior Court

(602)372-JURY, https://superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/jury/

Arizona Supreme Court Jury Duty Information Page

https://www.azcourts.gov/juryduty


Marriage License

Clerk of the Superior Court - Contact your local Superior Court

www.azcourts.gov/AZCourts/ AZCourtsLocator.aspx


Military

Armed Forces Recruiting Headquarters,

(602)254-1765 


Recreation

Arizona Game and Fish

(602)942-3000, www.azgfd.gov 


Transportation

Arizona Department of Transportation Highway Division

(602)712-7355, www.azdot.gov

Motor Vehicle Division

(602)255-0072, www.azdot.gov/mvd/


Tribal Law

U.S. Department of the Interior: Bureau of Indian Affairs

(202)208-3710, https://www.bia.gov/

National Indian Law Library

www.narf.org/nill

Tribal Court Clearinghouse

www.tribal-institute.org

U.S. Government Publishing Office Electronic Code of Federal Regulations

www.ecfr.gov


Sex Trafficking

End Sex Trafficking AZ

(602)542-4043, www.endsextrafficking.az.gov

National Human Trafficking Resource Center

1-888-373-7888, www.polarisproject.org

Trust

1-844-878-7829, www.trustaz.org


Voting

Arizona Secretary of State Voter Outreach

(602)542-4283, 1-877-THE VOTE

www.azsos.gov/elections

Contact your local County Recorder

https://azsos.gov/county-election-info