Arizona individual income tax returns may be filed electronically using the IRS e-file Program. This program allows you to file both the federal and Arizona return in one transmission. The state tax data is subsequently retrieved from the IRS by the Arizona Department of Revenue (hereafter referred to as "ADOR").
Currently, the Ogden IRS Service Center supports Arizona for electronic filing for Modernized e-File returns. Therefore, the Arizona electronic return will be transmitted to the Ogden Service Center regardless of the location of the Electronic Return Originator (ERO) if Modernized e-File is used to file the return. The Fresno Service Center supports Arizona for EDI filed returns; therefore, the Arizona electronic return will be transmitted to the Fresno Service Center regardless of the location of the Electronic Return Originator/Electronic Return Preparer (ERO/ERP) if EDI is used to file the return.
To participate in the Federal/State Electronic Filing Program, participants must first be accepted by the IRS. For more information regarding the federal application process, see IRS Publication 1345 and IRS Publication 3112. You may also call the IRS ERO helpline at 1-866-255-0654 or visit http://www.irs.gov/Tax-Professionals/e-File-Providers-&-Partners/Become-an-Authorized-e-file-Provider.
The forms and schedules available through
Returns which are excluded or disqualified from electronic filing at the federal level may not be filed electronically at the state level. Additional Arizona exclusions include:
Enter
Creating, Releasing and Transmitting the Arizona Electronic File
The Arizona electronic file is created, released and transmitted simultaneously with the federal electronic file. The files are transmitted to the IRS Ogden Service Center (Modernized e-File) or IRS Fresno Service Center (EDI) and the state tax data subsequently retrieved by the ADOR. Therefore, no additional steps are required during this stage of processing. Arizona will accept returns for the 2020 tax year from 1/15/2021 through 4/18/2021 for timely filed returns. The last day Arizona will accept electronic returns that are late or returns on extension is 10/17/2021.
The presence of an electronically filed state return is indicated by the appearance of the state's standard two-letter postal abbreviation (AZ) in the State column of the Electronic Filing Status Report. This report is found by clicking on the 2020 Electronic Filing icon and selecting Reports/Status. Once the ADOR has retrieved and processed the state tax data, an acknowledgment is issued indicating acceptance or rejection. This acknowledgment will normally be available within 48 hours after the return is received by the ADOR. If you are a service bureau customer,
When a return is accepted by the ADOR, "ACC" appears in the State status column. Beginning in 2002, the ADOR began rejecting returns. If a return is rejected by the ADOR, a rejection code is issued and "REJ" appears in the "State Status" column of the Electronic Filing Status Report. The reason(s) for the rejection may be reviewed by selecting the return and selecting "Rejection Detail." A rejection could also occur at the federal level. If a return is rejected by the IRS, a rejection code is issued and "REJ" will appear in the first status column of the Electronic Filing Status Report.
If a taxpayer elects to participate in the federal electronic signature program, they may also elect to utilize the same signature authentication for the Arizona return. When doing so, each taxpayer must enter their own self-selected PIN or sign a AZ-8879 that authorizes the ERO/ERP to enter their PIN for them.
The AZ-8879 is produced by
The AZ-8879 is required to be signed only if a taxpayer is unavailable to enter their own self-selected PIN. The ERO/ERP is allowed to obtain authorization to transmit the Arizona return electronically by having the taxpayer(s) sign the completed AZ-8879 and subsequently entering the PIN on behalf of the taxpayer(s). The self-selected PIN for the ERO/ERP, entered on federal
If the electronic return preparer changes the electronic tax data after the taxpayer signature has been obtained, but prior to transmitting the return, a new Form AZ-8879 form must be prepared. However, a new form is not required if only non-substantive changes are made (e.g., transposition errors, misplaced entries, spelling errors or arithmetic corrections to the return which cause the total income amount to change by no more than $50, or the total tax, withholding, refund or amount owed to differ by no more than $10). These changes may be made on the face of the form and a line drawn through the incorrect information. The changes must be initialed by the ERO/ERP or person making the changes. These changes should also be made to the return in
The ADOR accepts electronically filed balance due returns. If an electronically filed return has a balance due, Form AZ-140V, Arizona Individual Income Tax Payment Voucher for Electronic Filing, is included with the completed return. The voucher should be given to the taxpayer with instructions to mail the voucher, along with payment in full, no later than April 15 2021. Payments received after that date may be subject to late penalties and interest. The voucher and payment should be mailed to:
If the resident state is Arizona, the extension can be selected from
The ERO/ERP is required to provide the taxpayer with a copy of the signed Form AZ-8879 including attachments and a copy of the Arizona tax return with its supporting worksheets and schedules. The taxpayer should be advised to retain all materials. The ERO/ERP is required to retain the signed Form AZ-8879, a copy of the completed return and all attached materials for a period of four years from the date the return was filed.
Beginning in 2003, payment of a balance due may be made by Electronic Funds Withdrawal (direct debit) for electronically filed Arizona returns. Electronic Funds Withdrawal may be elected in lieu of (or in addition to) mailing a payment with a voucher. The amount paid does not have to be debited from the same account from which federal balances are paid. The taxpayer may choose the date an amount is to be withdrawn from their account, up to the due date of the return. On April 18, 2021 or after, the withdrawal date of the debit must equal the return preparation date. The taxpayer may make a partial payment of the balance due by Electronic Funds Withdrawal and send the remainder by mail, with the provided Form AZ-140V voucher, or be billed by the ADOR for the remaining amount. However, if full payment is not made by the due date, the remaining balance may be subject to interest and penalties. To use the direct debit option, enter the applicable information on federal
The ADOR offers direct deposit of refunds for electronically filed returns. The Arizona refund does not have to be deposited into the same bank account as the federal refund. To use this option, enter the applicable information on federal
From the time ADOR receives an electronic return to when a refund is issued is normally less than fourteen days. If direct deposit is elected, the refund will be issued in approximately three to four days from the date the return is received by the ADOR. These estimates do not take into account the time required to mail a check or the time required to process an electronic deposit. No certain number of days can be specified as to when a refund check will be received, however, if a payment has not been received in ten days, call the ADOR at (602) 255-3381 or (800) 352-4090 to check the status of the refund.
If a delay does occur, it is typically caused when:
Phone: (800) 739-9998, option #5 (Electronic Filing Support) then option #1 (Individual)
Fax: (316) 612-3405
General Correspondence and Participation Requests
Form AZ-140V
Arizona Electronic Filing Program Phone Support
Phone: (602) 716-6514
Fax: (602) 716-7997
Arizona Electronic Filing Program Email Address
AZefile@azdor.gov
Arizona Refund Information and Tax Help Numbers
(602) 255-3381
(800) 352-4090
Arizona Department of Revenue Website
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