Tax incentives available for eligible businesses
Goal is to encourage new job growth and investment in county 

Two tax incentives are available for businesses wanting to relocate or expand that create net new jobs in Navajo County. These new jobs must earn at least the county wage offer (currently $9.80 per hour) or more. Companies must also offer employee health insurance, of which the employer pays at least 50% of the cost. 

The first incentive is a tax credit up to $3,000 per qualified employee over three years. The second is a property tax reclassification for qualified manufacturers or commercial printers in which businesses are eligible for an assessment ratio of 5% on all personal and real property for five years (the ratio is normally 23%). 

These incentives are available through the Navajo County Enterprise Zone, which recently received a five-year renewal from the Arizona Department of Commerce. The EZ’s primary goal is to improve area economies in Arizona with high poverty or unemployment rates by offering tax relief for private investment and job creation. 

The county originally received the EZ designation in 1990. It remains an important tool for encouraging new job growth and investment in the county. The EZ is administered by a commission comprised of officials from Navajo County, Show Low, Pinetop-Lakeside, Snowflake, Taylor, Holbrook and Winslow.