Attempted Scams Emerged Same Time as COVID-19

The Arizona Department of Revenue (ADOR) says COVID-19 hasn’t stopped scammers from trying to take advantage of taxpayers.

ADOR’s Criminal Investigation Unit reports since COVID-19 fully emerged in Arizona, 13 tax fraud schemes using stolen or created identities were pinpointed and then stopped. The amount of tax fraud identified so far this calendar year has totaled more than $10 million and is a 50 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

The Arizona Department of Revenue confirms that while the deadline for filing and paying 2019 calendar year state income tax returns was moved to July 15, the deadline for tax year 2020 estimated tax payments remains April 15, 2020.

Individual Income Tax Filing and Paying Deadline Extended to July 15

The Arizona Department of Revenue (ADOR) is reminding Arizona taxpayers that due to COVID-19, the April 15 deadline for filing and paying individual, corporate and fiduciary 2019 calendar year tax returns was moved to July 15.

The new deadline means taxpayers filing state tax returns or submitting payments by July 15 will not be assessed late filing or late payment penalties and interest.

The Arizona Department of Revenue (ADOR) recognizes tax filing season can be complex and may lead to questions and errors. In an effort to assist taxpayers through the process, ADOR has prepared some tax tips.

Tips for Preparing Your Return

The Arizona Department of Revenue (ADOR) has announced it has moved the deadline for filing and paying state income taxes from April 15 to July 15, 2020 following direction today by Governor Doug Ducey.

This is consistent with Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin’s announcement that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has moved the deadline for 2019 federal tax returns to July 15, 2020.

The announcement by ADOR includes individual, corporate and fiduciary tax returns.

PHOENIX - Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced that a State Grand Jury indicted nine individuals accused of running an illegal operation that produced tens of thousands of titles for vehicles being sold in 42 states. Scott Bandy, James Johnson, Mary Fialko, James Edward Fialko, Lon Chaneyfield, Ivan Valenzuela, Oscar Valenzuela, Tamela Bandy, and Ashley Cwick were charged with Conspiracy, Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices, Money Laundering, Control of an Illegal Enterprise, and Fraudulent Schemes and Practices.

The Arizona Department of Revenue (ADOR) offers several options to meet tax obligations and obtain information from the comfort of a person's home.

Website

Individual Income Tax

ADOR encourages our customers to use electronic file and pay options. Taxpayers can view a list of software providers certified to submit electronically filed returns with the department. 

PHOENIX --Attorney General Mark Brnovich and the Arizona Department of Revenue announced that Roberto De La O, who offered his services as a paid tax preparer, has pleaded guilty to Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices and two counts of Preparing a False Tax Returns.

$900 million in unclaimed money

The Arizona Department of Revenue’s (ADOR) Unclaimed Property program has identified more than $900 million that belonged to more than 1.1 million people with last known addresses in Maricopa County.

The agency is sending out notices to the potential property owners and their families to attempt to return the funds. Some of the property dates back more than 30 years with one property being worth $500,000.

Individual income tax filing season in the state provides potential benefits for Arizonans whose income level is below minimum threshold limits and not required to file an individual income tax return or are seniors who own a residence.

Both may still be eligible for state tax benefits by submitting two forms available through the Arizona Department of Revenue - Form 140ET Credit for Increased Excise Taxes or Form 140PTC Property Tax Refund Claim.