Arizona Department of Revenue outlines free tax preparation services available to taxpayers this filing season
The Arizona Department of Revenue (ADOR) is reminding individual income tax filers who may need additional assistance this tax filing season to check out free tax preparation options available in the state.
Free tax filing services:
- Free File Alliance is a nonprofit coalition of industry-leading tax software companies partnered with ADOR and the IRS to provide free electronic tax services. The free file program is open to Arizona taxpayers with an adjusted gross income (AGI) of $66,000 or less, are between the ages of 17-50, active duty military or qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). To take advantage of this program, start by going to freefilealliance.org.
- Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) offers free tax help to people who generally make $55,000 or less, persons who are 60 years old or older with disabilities and limited English speaking taxpayers. IRS-certified volunteers will provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals.
For more information on VITA, go to www.irs.gov/Individuals/Free-Tax-Return-Preparation-for-You-by-Volunteers. - AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Program offers free assistance to individuals 50 and older who can’t afford a tax preparation service to file federal and Arizona returns. AARP Tax-Aide sites do not have income restrictions. For more information on AARP Foundation Tax-Aide go to www.aarp.org/money/taxes/aarp_taxaide.
Other tax filing services:
- E-File. Visit the Arizona Department of Revenue’s EServices page - www.azdor.gov/EServices/Individuals - to view the list of software providers certified to submit electronically filed returns with ADOR. The Department is encouraging tax filers to e-file their individual income taxes.
- Online Forms. Arizona offers fillable forms that are online versions of tax forms designed for taxpayers who prefer to prepare their own returns. Arizona forms and instructions are available to print at www.azdor.gov/Forms.
The deadline for taxpayers to file 2017 taxes is Tuesday, April 17. Officially, it is April 15, but with the date falling on the weekend and with Monday, April 16, being District of Columbia Emancipation Day in Washington D.C., the last day to file tax returns is April 17.