Come tax time we are inundated with claims from tax filing providers that you can file your taxes for free.

However, most find that it's only the federal form that is free. To file your Arizona state income tax, charges can range from $15-$40 or more.

Additionally, if one does not qualify for free filing, choosing the least expensive vendor could save you $100 or more!

In fact, most Arizonans DO qualify to file their state taxes free as well as their federal, if they only knew an under-publicized, necessary first step.

If one goes directly to one of the tax-filing websites, he WILL be charged to file the state form. In order to get your state taxes filed free as well, one must access the tax filing vendor from the Arizona Department of Revenue website.

CLICK HERE for the AZDOR webpage that you must start from in order to get your state taxes filed free.

For 2017 (2016 filing year) there are five companies to choose from.

INTUIT TURBOTAX: One can qualify for free state and federal filing from this vendor in three possible ways: 1) One's adjusted gross income is $33,000 or less; 2) If in the active military, a family can earn up to $64,000 or less; 3) If one qualifies for the earned income tax credit. Otherwise, the deluxe version is $54.99 with each state costing $39.99.

H&R BLOCK: Offers free state and federal taxes for those making $66,000 or less AND you meet one of the following additional criteria: 1) Must be aged 17-50; 2) In the active military; 3) Qualify for the earned income tax credit. Otherwise, they charge $29.99 for the federal form and $36.99 for each state form.

OLT Online Taxes: They offer free filing if you make between $14,000-$66,000 regardless of age. Active military also qualify if they make any amount less than $64,000. Even if you do not qualify, there is no charge for the federal form and $9.95 for each state form--the least expensive of the 5.

TAX ACT: Even outside the free links on ADOT, one qualifies for free federal and state filing if they use the 1040A or the 1040EZ. It is also free (only through the state site) if your AGI is $56,000 or less AND are 56 years old or younger. Those eligible for the EITC also qualify as well as active military with an AGI of $66,000 or less. Otherwise, federal returns cost $27-$51 and state forms are $37.

FREE TAX USA: Offers free filing for those aged 17-61 if the adjusted gross income is less than $51,000; OR if one is in active military duty. Otherwise the charge to file the federal form is $9.99--the cost of filing the state return is $12.95.

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The State of Arizona also offers alternatives to e-filing that are free. From the same webpage:

Alternatives to E-File - Arizona Individual Income Tax Forms Packages

The Arizona Department of Revenue offers six updated fillable forms packages.

* These packages are designed so that you fill in the data, it does the math!
* Each package contains a individual income tax form as well as commonly
used credit forms and allowable schedule(s) that go with the form.
* This process is interactive and enables you to complete your return on your computer.
* With these fillable forms, you will experience some of the same benefits as e-file,
such as faster refunds and a safe filing process, all without needing Internet access.
* The information you enter on the forms can only be accessed by you.

This tax season, be a savvy consumer and save yourself some money!

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