Arizona Basic Information Section Overview

The Arizona Basic Information section collects state-specific details needed to prepare your Arizona income tax return. Most of your personal information, including your name, address, and filing status, transfers automatically from your federal return, but you should review each item carefully and complete any fields that apply to your situation.
 

How to Access the Arizona Basic Information Section

After creating the Arizona return:
  1. Select State
  2. Use the three-dot menu and choose Edit
  3. Select Basic Information

Prior Year Last Name

Enter Your Last Name Used in Prior Years

If you filed prior Arizona returns under a different last name, enter that name in this field.

Common situations include:

  • Marriage
  • Divorce
  • Legal name change
If you have always filed Arizona returns under your current last name, 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 as part of its taxpayer identification and return processing procedures.

Arizona Tax Payment Information

Are You Enclosing a Payment?

Select Yes if you will send a payment with your Arizona return because additional tax is due.

Select No if:

  • You are expecting a refund.
  • You do not owe additional Arizona tax.
  • Your withholding and estimated payments fully cover your tax liability.
For taxpayers receiving a refund or showing no balance due, the correct answer is generally No.

Extension Information

Filing Under an Extension?

Select Yes if you:
  • Filed Arizona Form 204, or
  • Qualified for a federal or Arizona filing extension.
Select No if you filed by the original return due date and did not request or receive an extension.
 
If an extension is needed, Arizona Form 204 can be completed in the program's Miscellaneous Forms section. Arizona recognizes both state and qualifying federal filing extensions.

Arizona Qualifying Parent or Ancestor Information

Qualifying Parents or Ancestors Claimed on the Federal Return

Arizona allows an additional exemption of $10,000 for each qualifying parent or grandparent who meets the state's requirements. To qualify, the individual generally must:
  • Be a parent, grandparent, or earlier ancestor.
  • Be at least age 65.
  • Live with you for the required period.
  • Meet Arizona's support and assistance requirements.
If you have a qualifying parent or ancestor claimed on your federal return, select Begin and enter the requested information.
 
The exemption rules are discussed in the Arizona Form 140 instructions under Box 11a - Qualifying Parents and Grandparents.

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.

Refer to the Arizona Form 140 Instructions, Page 11, Boxes 10a and 10b (Dependents) for additional information.

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.

Additional Information

Arizona Individual Income Tax Instructions

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