It is a cooperative tax filing program with the IRS which makes it possible for taxpayers to file both federal and state
personal income tax returns electronically at the same time. You file your income tax return using a computer instead of
manually preparing and mailing your return. It is not only the fastest and most accurate way to file your return, but you can
also expect to receive your refund sooner than if you file a paper return. You will receive your refund even faster when you
select direct deposit to your savings or checking account.
The income tax filing deadline is April 17, 2012. If you file and/or pay taxes due after the April 17th due date, you may be subject to penalties and interest.
You'll get your refund faster – E-Filed refunds are usually received within 1-2 weeks. Even faster, in as little as 5 days, if the direct deposit option is used.
You'll make fewer errors. The online service automatically checks your return and corrects any math errors it finds. The error rate on E-Filed returns is less than ½%.
You will get an acknowledgement of receipt from both the IRS and the Arizona Department of Revenue via the service, so you will know that your returns have been received and accepted.
You can choose to have a tax professional E-File your return for you or, if you prefer, you can E-File from your own
personal computer. Visit the Arizona Department of Revenue’s web site for a listing of approved online service providers
and approved prepackaged software. E-File is not only fast, but it’s also easy, and you don’t have to worry about your
return being lost or delayed in the mail.
Yes. Online filing is secure. The information is encrypted and your return is securely transmitted to the IRS and to the
Arizona Department of Revenue.
It is virtually error proof! E-File is so accurate it almost eliminates the possibility of a mistake on your return. If an error is
found, the Department of Revenue will notify you or your preparer immediately using electronic notification. After the error
has been corrected, you may be able to resubmit your return electronically or may need to submit a paper return,
depending upon the software program used to file your return.
That will depend on the complexity of your return and the service you select. If you have a simple return, it will take you
about one hour.
Costs vary, depending on which service you use. Check out the costs when visiting each service's web site. Some services
offer free filing for people who meet certain income or age limits.
In 2008, 98 percent of E-Filed tax returns that resulted in a refund took as little as 10 days or less while paper returns took considerably longer. To receive your refund as fast as possible, you should select the direct deposit option for your refund. Your refund will reach your checking or savings account in as little as 7-10 days; plus, you don't have to worry about losing or misplacing the check. You can call your bank to verify that your refund has been deposited.
Yes. After filing your return online, you will need to print and save a copy for your records, along with your W-2s and 1099s.
If you forget, you need only go back to the service's web site, access your information, and print a copy.
Typically, electronic filing works best when you file both returns at the same time. Unless you select a tax professional or
on-line service that offers State-Only filing. When using an on-line service, be sure to examine the options closely as many
services charge you for the State-Only option. Typically you are not charged a fee until you print or E-File the return.
Depending upon the software program that you choose to file your return or the software program you tax preparer uses, you may be able to file the following Arizona Department of Revenue refund or payment due returns forms electronically.
- 140 Resident Personal Income Tax Return
- 140A Resident Personal Income Tax Return (Short Form)
- 140EZ Resident Personal Income Tax Return (EZ Form)
- 140PY Part-Year Resident Personal Income Tax Return
- 140NR Non-Resident Personal Income Tax Return
- 204-E Application for Electronic Filing of Extension Request
Supporting forms available for electronic filing consist of the following types.
- Schedule A Federal Form 1040 - Itemized Deductions
- Schedule A Arizona Form 140, Itemized Deduction Adjustment
- Schedule A(PY) Itemized Deductions for Part Year Resident
- Schedule A(PYN) Itemized Deductions for Part Year Resident with Nonresident Income
- Schedule A(NR) Itemized Deductions for Nonresident
- Form 221 Underpayment of Estimated Tax by Individuals
- Form 131 Claim for Refund on Behalf of Deceased Taxpayer
Tax credit forms available for electronic filing consist of the following types.
- All active 300 credit forms numbered 301 through 342, except 338, 339, and 342. Refundable Credits for 308-I and 342 can not be efiled.
While most taxpayers are eligible to E-File, certain program exclusions do apply. Returns meeting any of the following criteria may not be E-Filed:
- Amended returns • Returns for Corporate Income Tax. Transaction Privilege Tax and Withholding Tax returns can be filed on-line at www.aztaxes.gov.
- Returns for a tax period other than January 1, 2011, through December 31, 2011
- Returns that require taxpayers to file other forms that are not on our "Accepted Forms" list
- Returns reporting or claiming information for an individual without a social security number, including dependents without social security numbers
These are the steps in the E-File process:
- Tax preparer/Taxpayer enters data into software program and prepares the federal and Arizona returns
- Tax preparer/Taxpayer completes Form AZ-8453 signature document
- Tax preparer/Taxpayer confirms direct deposit information if a refund is expected.
- Tax preparer/Taxpayer reviews and verifies information on the returns
- Tax preparer/Taxpayer prints a copy of the tax return
- Tax preparer/Taxpayer completes Form 1040V or 140V if tax due.
- Tax preparer/Taxpayer transmits the returns – Remember, April 17, 2012 is still the deadline date.
- Tax preparer/Taxpayer receives acknowledgements and notices
- Tax preparer/Taxpayer retains wage statements for four years
Note:
- IRS acknowledgements are issued within 24 hours.
- Arizona Department of Revenue acknowledgements are generally issued within 48 hours.
If you use a tax professional to E-file your return, filing taxes becomes virtually a paperless process, unless you owe taxes. If you owe taxes and are not paying by electronic funds withdrawal, you will need to send the Arizona Department of Revenue a check with a payment voucher by the April 18th due date to avoid penalty and interest. Your tax preparer will give you a payment voucher that is generated by your preparer’s tax preparation software.
Paperless electronic signature is accomplished using the Self-Select PIN to sign your return. A PIN (Personal Identification Number) is any five numbers you choose (except all zeros) to use as your electronic signature.
Benefits of E-File with an Electronic Signature:
- It's simple!
- Create your own PIN using any 5 numbers.
- No registration required.
- No calls to the Arizona Department of Revenue to get a PIN.
- No paper signature to mail in.
- Proof of Acceptance!
If you choose the Self-Select PIN you will need your original Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) from your previous year’s tax return and your Date of Birth for verification purposes. If you did not file a return for the previous year you may still be able to use the Self-Select PIN.
In approximately 48 hours, the Arizona Department of Revenue will send an electronic notification letting you or your
preparer know that your return was received and accepted. Only E-File offers this advantage.
A day or two later, go back into your service provider's web site and access your account information to find out if your
online filing was successful. Make sure to keep your user identification and password; you will need them to access your
account at a later date. If both federal and state returns were accepted, you will receive an acceptance ID number. For your
personal records, we recommend you keep a paper copy of your tax forms, your acceptance identification numbers, and
your user ID/password.
No, however for all E-Filed returns either an AZ-8453 (Declaration for E-Filing of Income Tax Return) or AZ-8879 (E-file Signature Authorization) must be completed and retained in your files along with Forms W2, W-2G, 1099-R and a printed copy of your tax return. Do NOT mail these items to the Arizona Department of Revenue unless a request is made by the department.
Yes, you can authorize an electronic funds withdrawal (direct debit) from your checking or savings account.
You can schedule the electronic payment for withdrawal from a bank account on a future date. For example, you may prepare and efile your return in February and schedule the electronic withdrawal for April.
Electronic payment is convenient, safe, and free.
- E-File and E-Pay in a single step.
- E-File early and, at the same time, schedule an electronic payment for withdrawal from a bank account on a future date.
- Payment information will only be used for the tax payment(s) authorized by you. No unauthorized withdrawals will be made.
- Payment information will not be disclosed for any reason other than processing the transaction authorized by you.
- It’s free. Although there are no service charges for using the electronic payment option, please check with your financial institution about any fees it may charge.
If there is a balance due on your E-Filed return, most software packages will include an option for you to elect to pay by electronic funds withdrawal. Upon selection of this option, a payment record will display for entry of account information (most software). You can pay your balance due now or specify a future payment date up to and including April 17, 2012. Future dates cannot be selected beyond April 17, 2012.
Your electronic funds withdrawal information will be used only for
taxes paid with your tax return. You need to know your bank
checking or savings account number and the routing transit number
of your financial institution. The routing number is the nine-digit
number on your checks. The routing number for a savings account in
the same financial institution is usually the same number that is
located on your checks. However, the account number is different.
Call your financial institution if you have any questions.
Money will not be withdrawn from your account before the date you specify if you file timely. However, if you designate a
weekend or bank holiday, the payment will be withdrawn the next business day. If you file late, the payment will be
processed the day we receive your E-filed return.
Yes, if you E-file your return after April 17, 2012, you can still elect to pay the balance due by electronic funds withdrawal. However, your payment will be considered late and your payment date will be determined by the date your return is E-Filed. Electronic funds withdrawal is available through October 15, 2012.
Your confirmation will be your copy of your E-Filed return that includes the electronic funds withdrawal authorization and
your bank statement that includes an Arizona Department of Revenue line item.
If your electronic funds withdrawal is returned by your financial institution due to insufficient funds, incorrect bank account
information, closed accounts, etc., the Arizona Department of Revenue will send a notification letter to the address on your
tax return explaining why the withdrawal could not be processed. You will need to submit a check or money order, along
with form AZ-140V Payment Voucher for Electronic Filing to the address listed on the form. A second request for a
withdrawal cannot be made after the initial request.
Once your E-Filed return is accepted, you cannot change your designated withdrawal date or cancel your electronic funds
withdrawal request.
If you do not choose to pay your balance due by electronic funds withdrawal, you can send in a check or money order with
form AZ-140V Payment Voucher for Electronic Filing. Your tax professional or the software program used to file your return
from home will instruct you how to submit this form. The form AZ-140V Payment Voucher for Electronic Filing is printed
directly from the software once the return has been completed.