Should Arizonans be waiting to submit tax returns? GOP leaders say ‘go ahead and file’

PHOENIX – Republican leaders are telling Arizonans there is no reason to delay filing their tax returns despite continued uncertainty about state forms.

With the April 15 filing deadline looming, House Speaker Steve Montenegro and Senate President Warren Petersen told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s The Mike Broomhead they will “hold the line” to keep the current filing season’s tax forms from changing.

“We’ve been hearing this question from Arizonans across the state: Should I file or should I wait? The answer is simple: File now. Go ahead and file,” Montenegro said.

Why is there uncertainty about Arizona tax returns?

The GOP-led Legislature and Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs have been at odds over how to align the state tax code with changes made last year to the federal code under President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Hobbs vetoed two Republican tax conformity bills this session. Some leaders have been warning early filers they might have to submit revised state forms once a deal is finalized.

However, Petersen said there is no danger of that happening. He noted that forms sent out by the state align with the Republicans’ tax plans.

“The Arizona Legislature is not going to let taxpayers be punished because of a mistake or because of a lack of leadership by the governor. So, we have talked to our caucus. We are going to hold the line regardless of what happens, come what may, we will be making sure that those forms that have been sent out that people are filing on, those are the forms that people can rely on to be able to file their taxes,” he said.

Montenegro and Petersen are spreading their message about tax returns in a new video available in English and Spanish.

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