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MONEY

Arizona Department of Revenue offers tips for filing taxes as May deadline approaches

Posted 4/22/21

With less than a month left to file 2020 income tax returns, the Arizona Department of Revenue is urging taxpayers to file sooner rather than later.

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MONEY

Arizona Department of Revenue offers tips for filing taxes as May deadline approaches

Posted

With less than a month left to file 2020 income tax returns, the Arizona Department of Revenue is urging taxpayers to file sooner rather than later.

Congress and the Arizona State Legislature both voted to move the April 15 tax deadline to Monday, May 17, and ADOR officials are encouraging residents to file their returns electronically and to request direct deposit for refunds as it is more secure, more efficient and on average, a couple of weeks faster than paper returns when it comes to refunds, according to a release.

For information on filing electronically, residents can visit the department’s E-File Services page at https://azdor.gov/e-file-services to view the list of software providers certified to submit electronically filed returns with ADOR.

Taxpayers who prefer to submit paper returns can visit azdor.gov/Forms for fillable, calculating forms and instructions to print. If filing by paper, taxpayers should allow six to eight weeks from the date filed to receive their refund, the release stated.

Individual income tax filers needing additional aid may qualify for free tax preparation assistance. Resources include:

  • Arizona Free File Alliance offers a free file program to Arizona taxpayers who meet specific criteria. More 82,000 taxpayers used Free File software last year, saving themselves fees, costly errors and receiving their refunds quicker. Individuals must go through azdor.gov to ensure no fees are charged.
  • AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Program delivers free support to individuals 50 and older who cannot afford a tax preparation service to file federal and Arizona returns. Program details can be found at aarp.org/money/taxes/aarp_taxaide.
  • Volunteer Income Tax Assistance provides free tax help to people who generally make $57,000 or less per year, persons with disabilities and limited English-speaking taxpayers who need assistance preparing their returns. For locations and guidance, check irs.gov/Individuals/Free-Tax-Return-Preparation-for-You-by-Volunteers.

Due to the pandemic, individuals should check with their tax preparation services to verify they offer in-person assistance, drop-offs or virtual assistance, the release stated.

Direct deposit is an easy and convenient way for taxpayer to get their refunds, and it’s whether the return is filed electronically or by mail.

To check the status of their Arizona tax refund, taxpayers can follow the Where’s My Refund link at aztaxes.gov.

Those who need more time to file their taxes may submit Form 204 by May 17 to receive an extension.

Extensions do not grant a taxpayer more time to pay taxes owed, according to the release. If a taxpayer has already been granted an extension through the IRS, a state of Arizona extension request is not required.

Visit https://azdor.gov/individual-income-tax-information for additional tax filing requirements, instructions and tax filing tips.

To receive income tax updates, subscribe to the “Individual Income Tax” list.