The individual income tax filing season in Arizona opens on Monday, January 27. The deadline to file is April 15.
The Arizona Department of Revenue encourages taxpayers to file electronically and have refunds direct deposited to help reduce errors and the potential for tax fraud. During last tax filing season, about 83 percent of the 3.4 million Arizona income tax returns were e-filed.
Taxpayers can view a list of software providers certified to submit electronically filed returns with the department and access Arizona tax forms and instructions (including instruction booklets) on the Department of Revenue’s website. Instruction booklets will also be available at ADOR offices and local libraries.
To avoid delays, here are some tips for taxpayers:
• E-file and designate any refund for direct deposit to your bank.
• Ensure all the necessary lines and forms are filled out properly. Avoid math errors or miscalculations.
• Don’t misspell names or use two different names.
• Make sure key information like your tax ID number, Social Security number, routing number or account number are correct in all the appropriate boxes.
• Double-check to ensure you have all the information and supporting documentation.
• If filing a paper return, use black ink and print on white paper.
• Don’t forget to sign and date your return.
Free Tax Preparation Services Available to Taxpayers
Taxpayers requiring additional assistance this tax filing season can take advantage of the following free tax filing services:
• Free File Alliance – Offers a free file program to Arizona taxpayers who meet certain criteria. Visit https://azdor.gov/e-services/free-electronic-filing-individuals for more information and to take advantage of this program.
• Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) – Offers free tax help to people who generally make $56,000 or less, persons with disabilities and limited English-speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. For more information and to take advantage of this program, please visit www.irs.gov/Individuals/Free-Tax-Return-Preparation-for-You-by-Volunteers.
• AARP Foundation Tax-Aide – Offers free assistance to individuals 50 and older who cannot afford a tax preparation service to file federal and Arizona returns. For more information go to www.aarp.org/money/taxes/aarp_taxaide.
For more information go to the Arizona Department of Revenue’s website www.azdor.gov.
Arizonans Reminded of Key Changes to 2019 Tax Year Income Tax Returns
The individual income tax filing season for state and federal returns opens on Monday, January 27, 2020 and the Arizona Department of Revenue (ADOR) is reminding taxpayers of some key changes when filing for 2019 tax year.
Arizona individual income tax returns for tax year 2019 will include the following adjustments:
• Match the federal standard deduction amount ($12,200 single/married filing separate, $18,350 head of household, $24,400 married filing joint).
• Remove Arizona personal and dependent exemption amounts.
• Provide $100 child tax credit per dependent under 17 years of age and $25 for dependents 17 and older. The credit is phased out for federal adjusted gross income (FAGI) greater than $200,000 single/married filing separate and head of household, $400,000 married filed joint.
• Allow taxpayers to increase standard deduction by 25 percent of the charitable donations that would have been claimed as an itemized deduction.
The Department of Revenue encourages taxpayers to electronically file their taxes. E-filing is more efficient and more secure, as well as offering faster refunds. In tax year 2018, refunds from e-filed returns averaged eight days, compared to an average of 23 days for returns filed by paper.
For more information on the 2020 tax filing season, go to www.azdor.gov.
