Federal income tax season is looming along with some of the most significant changes to the tax code in decades. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is expected to pass both the House and the Senate’s approval, so it could be signed by President Trump in a matter days. The bill will affect several different tax rates including the cutting the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent in 2018 and get rid of personal exemptions. 

Although the state of Arizona doesn’t offer Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit or Child and Dependent Care Tax Credits (at the state-level), it does provide residents with a few other options to reduce their overall tax burdens. Some state-tax credits include:

• Charitable Organizations Credit-can be claimed by singles and heads of household who donate at least $400. Married couples filing jointly may claim credits of up to $800 for donations of at least that size. 
• Foster-Care Credit-provides residents the opportunity for a state-tax credit of up to $500 (singles/heads of household) or $1,000 (married couples) on contributions of at least that much.
• Private-school tuition organizations credit-allows residents to subsidize donations to organizations that provide private-school scholarships. Credit (Form 323) is worth up to $546 for singles/heads of household or $1,092 for married couples for donations of at least that much. Form 348 credit is worth up to $543/$1,085 and is available to people who max out their Form 323 credits.
• Public-school extracurricular credit-This credit is worth up to $400 for married couples filing jointly, $200 for others, for donations of at least that much. 

If your income falls below the $64,000 threshold, then you can prepare and file your federal individual income tax return for free using tax-preparation-and-filing software found at IRS.gov. Otherwise, free fillable forms are available to those earning more.