Report: Effects on Households of a Proposed Anchorage Municipal Sales Tax

A bar graph overlaying an image of downtown Anchorage. Text on image: Anchorage Municipal Sales Tax: 2026 Report, UAA Institute of Social and Economic Research

In November 2025, Mayor Suzanne LaFrance briefly introduced a 3% sales tax proposal to the Anchorage Assembly.  ISER researchers examined the implications and outcomes of the proposal, identifying several key conclusions:

  • The proposed sales tax would produce almost $173 million in revenue per year.
  • Visitors would contribute about 18% of the total revenues.
  • The municipality’s lowest-income residents would pay 1.7% of their income in sales taxes while the highest-income residents would pay only 0.5% of income.
  • Households with children would pay somewhat less sales taxes per person than households without children

While the 2025 proposal is not currently active, the discussion around sales taxes continues. Read the full report from ISER to understand the ongoing conversation

Photo of Matthew Berman, Ph.D.

Matthew Berman, Ph.D.

Professor of Economics
Photo of Noah Burke

Noah Burke

Research Professional