Individual Income Tax Season Kicks Off January 29

Phoenix, AZ—The Arizona Department of Revenue (ADOR) is now accepting individual income tax returns for tax year 2023 marking the beginning of Arizona's 2024 electronic tax season.

In ADOR’s increased efforts of improving the customer experience, the following is intended to inform about new things happening this season, as well as help taxpayers to more easily and securely file their income taxes.

Taxpayers have until the deadline of Monday, April 15, 2024 to file their 2023 tax return or an extension. If filing an extension, the extended due date to file the income tax return is October 15, 2024.

2023 New Tax Rate
For tax year 2023 and beyond, the individual income tax rate of 2.5% for all income levels and filing status has been set. The Optional Tax Table and the X and Y Tax Table are now obsolete. View the highlights of all the 2023 changes.

Free File Alliance
Taxpayers have additional options this year for filing their individual tax return for free! In addition to the Free File Alliance program, a free Direct File option is coming soon.

The Arizona Free Alliance program may be for you if you meet certain criteria to receive fast, safe, and free tax preparation software. Arizona Free File Alliance allows taxpayers to choose from multiple free file offerings through the logos on the ADOR website, where they can use the free service to prepare and file their returns electronically.

ADOR diligently works to process income tax refunds as quickly as possible. However, please be advised:

• If you file electronically and choose direct deposit, you can look for your refund within a couple of weeks* of the return acceptance.
• If you file a paper return, you can anticipate your refund within 8 weeks* from the date you filed.
• Please do not call in prior to 8 weeks of the department receiving your return.

*Some tax returns need extra review for accuracy and to protect taxpayers from fraud and identity theft; therefore, extra processing time may be necessary.

Electronic Filing and Direct Deposit
E-filing rather than filing a paper return helps ADOR deliver better service for Arizona’s taxpayers. Some noted benefits to e-filing include more secure and faster processing with fewer errors and miscalculations. E-file software offers easy step-by-step instructions, assists in detecting costly errors before filing, and you can receive your refund in as little as two weeks with direct deposit. You can still e-file and pay electronically by mid-April to avoid penalties and interest if you owe.

Choosing electronic filing and direct deposit is the most secure and efficient way to get a refund. 

Last year, more than 3.4 million individual income tax returns were filed electronically, with an average of about nine days to turn around a tax refund, compared to 64 days for refunds from paper filings.

Direct deposit is an easy and convenient way to get your refund. You can put your banking information on your tax return and get your refund deposited into your bank account, not worrying and waiting on your refund check in the mail. Direct deposit is available to you whether you file your return electronically or by mail.

Visit our website to see the list of software providers approved to submit electronically filed returns with the Department.

Fraud Prevention
Due to the constant threat of tax fraud and refund theft, ADOR takes additional fraud prevention measurements to ensure tax refunds are issued to the correct individuals. In fiscal year 2023, the Department’s Criminal Investigations Unit stopped more than $30 million in fraudulent refunds. Visit our website to learn more about identity theft.

To avoid delays, here are some tips for taxpayers:

• Choose e-file and direct deposit for a faster refund.
• You must complete your federal return before you can start your Arizona return.
• Verify you are using the correct tax year form by looking at the upper right corner. 
• Ensure all the necessary lines and forms are filled out properly.
• Make sure to spell names correctly or use two different names.
• Confirm essential information like your tax ID number, Social Security number, routing number, or account number is correct in all the appropriate boxes.
• Double-check to ensure you have all the information and supporting documentation, and include all pages that have information entering your name and tax ID number on the top of each page. ADOR cannot process incomplete tax returns.
• If sending a paper payment, include your voucher, as the Department needs your Social Security number, employee identification number, and the tax period and type to process your payment.
• If filing a paper return, use fillable forms, and print with black ink and on white paper. Fillable forms eliminate the need for ADOR staff to interpret handwriting.

For updates and the latest news on tax season, subscribe to our email subscription service or social media.