The Arizona Basic Information section gathers state-specific details needed to complete your Arizona income tax return.
We will create your Arizona return using the information entered on your federal return. Most personal information, including your name, address, and filing status, transfers automatically from the federal return. Review the Basic Information page carefully and answer or update any applicable items, including a prior year last name, first-time Arizona filing status, whether you are enclosing an Arizona payment, filing under an extension, qualifying parent or ancestor information, qualifying dependent information not claimed on the federal return, and changing your filing status for Arizona purposes only.
Program Pathway
After creating the Arizona state return, go to:
- State
- Use the three dots to select edit
- Basic Information
Prior Year Last Name
Enter Your Last Name Used in Prior Years
If you used a different last name on prior Arizona tax returns, enter the last name previously used.
Common situations include:
- Marriage
- Divorce
- Legal name change
If your last name has not changed since filing prior Arizona returns, leave this field blank.
First-Time Arizona Filers
Is This Your First Time Filing an Arizona Return?
Select:
- Yes if you have never filed an Arizona individual income tax return before.
- No if you have previously filed an Arizona individual income tax return.
Arizona uses this information to help identify and process your return.
Arizona Tax Payment Information
Are You Enclosing a Payment?
Select Yes if you are making a payment with your Arizona return because you owe Arizona income tax.
Select No if:
- You are receiving a refund.
- You do not owe additional tax.
- You have already made sufficient payments through withholding or estimated tax payments.
Extension Information
Filing Under an Extension?
Select Yes if you filed or qualified for an extension of time to file your Arizona return.
Select No if you filed your return by the original due date and did not file or qualify for an extension.
If you need to complete an Arizona extension form, Form 204 - Extension is available in the Miscellaneous Forms section of the program.
Arizona Qualifying Parent or Ancestor Information
Qualifying Parents or Ancestors Claimed on the Federal Return
Arizona provides an additional exemption for certain qualifying parents or grandparents (ancestors) claimed on your federal tax return. If this applies to your tax situation, select Begin and enter the requested information for each qualifying parent or ancestor. Arizona allows a $10,000 exemption for each qualifying parent or grandparent entered in this section.
Refer to the Arizona Form 140 Instructions, Page 11, Box 11a (Qualifying Parents and Grandparents) to determine whether a parent, grandparent, or other qualifying ancestor is eligible to be included on your Arizona return.
Arizona Qualifying Dependent Information
Qualifying Dependents Not Claimed on the Federal Return
Select Begin if you have qualifying dependents who were not claimed on your federal return but may qualify for Arizona-dependent benefits or credits.
If a qualifying parent or grandparent also qualifies as your dependent, you can claim them:
- As a dependent in Box 10b to receive the Arizona Dependent Tax Credit, or
- As a qualifying parent or grandparent in Box 11a
You may choose only one option. Do not claim the same person in both Box 10b and Box 11a.
State Filing Status Election
Change Filing Status From MFJ to MFS for State Purposes Only
Arizona allows certain taxpayers who filed a Married Filing Jointly (MFJ) federal return to elect Married Filing Separately (MFS) for Arizona purposes.
Select Begin if you want to make this election for your Arizona return. The program will prompt you to:
- Select whether the return is being prepared for the taxpayer or spouse.
- Allocate Arizona income, deductions, exemptions, and credits between spouses as required.
- Complete the information necessary for the Arizona separate filing election.
If you make this election, the Arizona return cannot be electronically filed through the program. Print the completed return, sign it, and mail it to the Arizona Department of Revenue at the address provided in the Arizona filing instructions.
Refer to the Arizona Form 140 Instructions, Page 10, Box 6 for additional guidance regarding filing status options and eligibility.