Free Electronic Filing for Individuals
The Arizona Department of Revenue will follow the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announcement regarding the start of the electronic filing season. Because Arizona electronic income tax returns are processed and accepted through the IRS first, Arizona’s electronic filing system for individual income tax returns is dependent upon the IRS' launch date. Remember, the starting point of the Arizona individual income tax return is the Federal Adjusted Gross Income.
Free filing options allows qualified taxpayers prepare and file their individual income tax returns.
Please refer to the E-File Service page for details on the e-filing process.
Three options to file for free:
Option 1
Free File Alliance
Typically for Adjusted Gross Income $84,000 or less
Free File Alliance is partnership between the IRS/ADOR and tax software companies who provide question-lead tax software at no cost to qualifying taxpayers. Free File is the fast, safe and free way to do your tax return online.
To see if you qualify:
- Review the offers from the vendors listed below by clicking on their Free File link.
- Follow the Free File link. Going directly to a company’s website will result in not receiving the benefits offered here.
- Select a vendor and begin a return on the website.
The Arizona Department of Revenue does not endorse any specific tax filing product. Any questions regarding software or availability of forms should be directed to the software company.
Option 2
Direct File
Direct File will return on January 27 for the 2025 tax season
Arizona will continue its participation in the IRS Direct File Program in 2025, allowing eligible Arizonans to file their state and federal returns for FREE. This year, the program will be expanded to include more types of income, deductions and credits, and it will be available on day one of the tax filing season.
Using Direct File, once you have filed your federal tax return, you are directed to the FileYourStateTaxes tool to file your Arizona state taxes, without having to re-enter your information, creating a seamless federal-state filing experience.
It’s simple, it’s accurate, it’s secure, and it’s free.
Direct File may be a good option if you:
- Lived in Arizona for all of 2024.
- Earned all of your income in Arizona in 2024.
- Plan to use the same filing status for both your federal and state tax returns.
- Aren’t using the filing status Married Filing Separately.
- Did not receive the Arizona Families Tax Rebate in 2024.
For more information on the Direct File program, visit the IRS' Direct File page.
Option 3
Fillable Forms
If you choose to file by paper, we do offer fillable non-calculating returns under our Forms page. If you are above the Free File Alliance Adjusted Gross Income threshold, fillable forms are the fastest way to file a paper state individual income tax return. You can download the fillable form and type the information, instead of handwriting the return and possibly delaying the process as ADOR staff decipher the handwriting.
If you choose fillable forms as your free file option, you should be comfortable doing your own taxes. Limitations with fillable forms include:
- It won’t give you guidance about which forms to use or help with your tax situation.
- It doesn’t provide error checking as it is simple typing in your information into the PDF return.
- It does not automatically add the necessary schedules, forms, and documents to your return.
- It does not transmit to the Department and you must print the return, put the return into an envelope, and ensure you provide enough postage.