Which AZ Tax Form 140 Should You Use?

Arizona Form 140 is the primary document for full-year state residents to file their personal income taxes. It is used to report all income earned during the tax year, account for applicable deductions and credits, and calculate the total tax owed or refunded by the state. The form serves as the standard return for individuals whose financial situations require more detailed reporting.

Determining Your Arizona Filing Requirement

Whether you are required to file an Arizona income tax return depends on your gross income and filing status. For the 2024 tax year, a single individual must file if their gross income is more than $14,600. A person filing as head of household must file if their gross income exceeds $21,900.

For married couples, the requirements vary. If a couple files a joint return, they must file if their combined gross income is greater than $29,200. Should they choose to file separately, the threshold for each spouse is $14,600.

Even if your gross income falls below these amounts, filing a return may be beneficial. You must file a return to receive a refund of any Arizona income tax withheld from your paychecks. Filing is also required if you owe a penalty on certain retirement or savings accounts or received a notice from the Arizona Department of Revenue (ADOR) to file.

Selecting the Correct Arizona Form 140 Version

Arizona offers several versions of its personal income tax return. Selecting the correct form is based on your residency status, income, and the complexity of your return.

Form 140EZ

Form 140EZ is for taxpayers with straightforward financial situations. To qualify, you must be under age 65, not be blind, and have no dependents. Your taxable income must be less than $50,000, and you cannot itemize deductions.

Form 140A

Form 140A is for taxpayers who do not qualify for the 140EZ but whose tax situation is still relatively simple. You can use this form if you have dependents and your taxable income is under $50,000. However, you cannot use Form 140A if you itemize deductions or claim most tax credits, with exceptions for the family income tax credit.

Form 140

The standard Form 140 is the most comprehensive version for residents who do not qualify for the EZ or A versions. You must file Form 140 if your Arizona taxable income is $50,000 or more. This form is also necessary if you itemize deductions, increase your standard deduction for charitable contributions, make adjustments to your income, or claim most available tax credits. Individuals with complex financial profiles, like those with income from military service or who made estimated tax payments, must also use this form.

Form 140PY

Form 140PY is for part-year residents who moved into or out of Arizona during the tax year. The form calculates tax liability based on the income earned while residing in the state. This ensures you are only taxed by Arizona on the portion of your annual income attributable to your time as a resident.

Form 140NR

Form 140NR is for nonresidents who have income from Arizona sources. This could include wages from a job in Arizona or rental income from an Arizona property. This form isolates the Arizona-sourced income to calculate the tax owed to the state, without taxing income earned in your home state.

Information and Documentation Needed to File

To prepare your Arizona tax return, you must first have a completed federal Form 1040. Gathering all necessary documents beforehand streamlines the process and helps prevent delays.

You will need personal information for everyone listed on the return, including the full names, dates of birth, and Social Security Numbers for yourself, your spouse, and any dependents.

Income verification documents are also required, including Form W-2 from each employer and various 1099 forms that report other types of income. Common forms include:

• 1099-INT for interest income
• 1099-DIV for dividends
• 1099-G for unemployment benefits
• 1099-R for distributions from pensions and retirement plans
• 1099-NEC for nonemployee compensation

If you plan to itemize deductions or claim tax credits, you will need supporting documentation. For the 2024 tax year, taxpayers who do not itemize can increase their standard deduction by 33% of their charitable gifts. You will also need records for donations to claim credits for contributions to Qualifying Charitable Organizations (QCOs) or Qualifying Foster Care Charitable Organizations (QFCOs).

For 2024, the maximum QCO credit is $470 for single filers and $938 for joint filers, while the QFCO maximums are $587 for single filers and $1,173 for joint filers. Records for property taxes, medical expenses, and Arizona 529 plan contributions are also needed for certain deductions or credits.

How to Submit Your Completed Return

You can submit your completed Arizona tax return by electronic filing or by mailing a paper return. E-filing is recommended by the Arizona Department of Revenue (ADOR) for faster processing and quicker refunds. You can e-file through approved software vendors listed on the ADOR website.

If you file by mail, send your completed paper forms to the correct address, which depends on whether you expect a refund or are making a payment. The mailing addresses are listed in your tax form’s instructions. To avoid processing delays, assemble the return in the specified order and do not staple documents together.

If you owe taxes, you can authorize an electronic funds withdrawal when you e-file or pay online with a card through the ADOR’s website. You can also mail a check or money order. When paying by mail, include Form AZ-140V, the payment voucher, with your check.

After submitting your return, you can monitor your refund status using the “Where’s My Refund?” tool on the ADOR website. You will need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount to check the status. E-filed returns with direct deposit result in the fastest refund delivery.