Arizona taxpayers have less than one month left to file their 2025 individual income tax returns. The filing deadline is April 15, 2026, and the Arizona Department of Revenue (ADOR) is encouraging residents to start preparing now to avoid last-minute stress.

ADOR recommends filing taxes electronically and choosing direct deposit for refunds whenever possible. Filing electronically helps reduce errors that can delay processing and allows refunds to be issued much faster. According to the department, taxpayers who e-file and use direct deposit may receive their refund up to eight times faster than those who submit paper returns.

Direct deposit is recommended even for those who choose to mail their return. If a bank rejects the deposit for any reason, ADOR will automatically issue a paper check instead.

To help ensure tax returns are processed quickly and correctly, the department shared several tips for taxpayers preparing their returns.

First, taxpayers should use the correct tax credit codes when claiming certain credits. This includes charity and foster care organization codes on Forms 321 and 352, public school CTDS codes on Form 322, and school tuition organization codes on Form 323.

Second, the filing status must remain consistent throughout the return. For example, someone filing as single or head of household should not include spouse information, and deductions should match the selected filing status.

Third, taxpayers should only submit one return per Social Security number each year. A person cannot file more than once under different filing statuses, such as both married filing jointly and married filing separately. Anyone who believes they may be a victim of tax-related identity theft should contact ADOR's Identity Theft Call Center.

Fourth, taxpayers are encouraged to double-check all calculations, including adjustments, deductions, income amounts, and percentages.

Finally, each return must be completed in full and include accurate information, such as the taxpayer's full name, identification number, address, and filing status.

For individuals who need help preparing their taxes, several programs offer free tax preparation assistance.

The Arizona Free File Alliance provides free electronic filing for taxpayers who meet certain eligibility requirements. Last year, about 67,500 taxpayers used the program to avoid fees, reduce errors, and receive refunds faster.

The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Program offers free tax preparation assistance to individuals age 50 and older who cannot afford professional tax services. The program helps with both federal and Arizona tax returns.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program also provides free help to individuals who generally earn $69,000 or less, people with disabilities, and taxpayers who have limited English proficiency.

Taxpayers can check the status of their Arizona refund online using the "Where's My Refund?" tool. ADOR asks taxpayers to allow 8 to 10 weeks for processing before contacting the department.

Anyone who needs more time to file may submit Form 204 on or before April 15 to request a filing extension. However, an extension only provides more time to file the return — it does not extend the deadline to pay any taxes owed.

Taxpayers who already received a federal extension through the IRS do not need to file a separate Arizona extension form. Instead, they can simply check the box on their Arizona return indicating the approved federal extension.

With the deadline approaching, ADOR encourages taxpayers to begin preparing their returns now to avoid delays and ensure refunds are received as quickly as possible.