At Arize, our mission has always been to support your financial well-being by offering lower fees, competitive rates, and by reinvesting in our communities. One of the primary reasons we can do this is that credit unions are exempt from federal income taxes—a status that enables us to return more value to you. However, that tax-exempt status is once again under threat.
Federal lawmakers are currently considering changes to the tax code, and one proposal could impose new taxes on credit unions—and by extension, our members. We need to speak up now and ensure that our elected officials understand: taxing credit unions would directly harm the communities they were elected to serve.
As not-for-profit financial cooperatives, credit unions operate differently from banks. Preserving our tax-exempt status is essential for us to continue providing affordable financial services to more than 140 million Americans.
We’ve faced this challenge before—and won—but it will take all of us working together to overcome it. Arize is proud to lead local advocacy efforts, and we need your voice, too. Let your legislators know that taxing credit unions is the wrong move for working families.
Take action today. Tell Congress: Don’t Tax My Credit Union.
- What is the “Don’t Tax My Credit Union” campaign?
This is a national awareness effort led by America’s Credit Unions to protect the federal tax-exempt status of credit unions. It’s about ensuring we can continue offering affordable financial services to our members without new tax burdens.
- Why don’t credit unions pay federal corporate income taxes?
Because credit unions are not-for-profit, member-owned cooperatives—not corporations, instead of paying corporate taxes, we return our earnings to members through lower loan rates, higher savings yields, and fewer fees.
- How would taxing credit unions affect me as a member?
If credit unions were taxed like banks, those costs could eventually be passed down to members, meaning fewer benefits, higher rates, and fewer resources for financial education and outreach.
- Is Arize at risk of closing or changing if this happens?
There’s no immediate threat to Arize specifically, but changes to the tax status would impact all credit unions nationwide. This campaign is about preventing long-term harm and keeping our mission strong.
- How can I take action as a member?
We’ve made it simple—visit our Action Center link and send a message to your elected officials. It takes 2 minutes and helps protect the credit union you trust.
- Is this a political issue?
No. This isn’t about political parties or candidates; it’s about protecting a federal policy that exempts credit unions from paying income taxes. That policy helps 140 million Americans access affordable financial services. Our message is nonpartisan and focused on preserving this important benefit for credit union members.
- Do credit unions pay any taxes at all?
Yes. Credit unions pay state, local, payroll, and other federal taxes. In 2023, credit unions contributed over $36 billion in taxes—we just don’t pay federal corporate income tax because of our cooperative structure.
- Why is this happening now?
There has been increased lobbying from big banks, which want to reduce competition by taxing credit unions. It’s important that we remind lawmakers how essential credit unions are to the communities we serve.
- What makes credit unions different from banks?
We’re built to serve people, not profits. We have no shareholders, and our earnings go back to members. That’s why credit unions often offer better rates, more personal service, and greater community support.