A.R.S. § 28-5606: Motor Fuel Tax
Imposition of motor fuel taxes
Changed in 2026 — see what’s new
What is Arizona's motor fuel tax rate?
In Arizona, motor vehicle fuel that is possessed, used, or consumed in the state is taxed at $.18 per gallon. Use fuel burned in light class vehicles on state highways is taxed at that same $.18 rate, while use fuel in heavier use class vehicles is taxed at $.26 per gallon, except that a use class vehicle exempt from the weight fee is taxed at the light-class rate instead, and alternative fuels are not taxed. Suppliers collect and pay the tax to the state as an advance payment and add it to the price, so the consumer or user ultimately bears it.
Full statute text
Official text last checked against azleg.gov:
28-5606. Imposition of motor fuel taxes
A. In addition to all other taxes provided by law, a tax of $.18 per gallon is imposed on motor vehicle fuel possessed, used or consumed in this state.
B. To partially compensate this state for the use of its highways:
1. A use fuel tax is imposed on use fuel used in the propulsion of a light class motor vehicle on a highway in this state at the same rate per gallon as the motor vehicle fuel tax prescribed in subsection A of this section, except that there is no use fuel tax on alternative fuels.
2. A use fuel tax is imposed on use fuel used in the propulsion of a use class motor vehicle on a highway in this state at the rate of $.26 for each gallon, except that there is no use fuel tax on alternative fuels and use class vehicles that are exempt pursuant to section 28-5432 from the weight fee prescribed in section 28-5433 are subject to the use fuel tax imposed by paragraph 1 of this subsection.
C. The motor vehicle fuel and use fuel taxes imposed pursuant to this section and the aviation fuel taxes imposed pursuant to section 28-8344 are conclusively presumed to be direct taxes on the consumer or user but shall be collected and remitted to the department by suppliers for the purpose of convenience and facility only. Motor vehicle fuel, use fuel and aviation fuel taxes that are collected and paid to the department by a supplier are considered to be advance payments, shall be added to the price of motor vehicle fuel, use fuel or aviation fuel and shall be recovered from the consumer or user.
D. Motor vehicle fuel and use fuel taxes imposed pursuant to this section on the use of motor vehicle fuel and use fuel and the aviation fuel taxes imposed pursuant to section 28-8344 on the use of aviation fuel, other than by bulk transfer, arise at the time the motor vehicle, use or aviation fuel either:
1. Is imported into this state and is measured by invoiced gallons received outside this state at a refinery, terminal or bulk plant for delivery to a destination in this state.
2. Is removed, as measured by invoiced gallons, from the bulk transfer terminal system or from a qualified terminal in this state.
3. Is removed, as measured by invoiced gallons, from the bulk transfer terminal system or from a qualified terminal or refinery outside this state for delivery to a destination in this state as represented on the shipping papers if a supplier imports the motor vehicle, use or aviation fuel for the account of the supplier or the supplier has made a tax precollection election pursuant to section 28-5636.
E. If motor fuel is removed from the bulk transfer terminal system or from a qualified terminal or is imported into this state, the original removal, transfer or importation of the motor fuel is subject to the collection of the tax. If this motor fuel is transported to another qualified terminal or reenters the bulk transfer terminal system, the subsequent sale of the motor fuel on which tax has been collected is not subject to collection of an additional tax if proper documentation is retained to support the transaction.
Drafted by AI from the official text and checked sentence by sentence against azleg.gov. ClearStatute is run by David Bartlett, who is not an attorney. Legal information, not legal advice — consult a licensed attorney for your situation.