Are we required to sign Arkansas state form AR8453-OL as per instructions, even though our Ark state return has been accepted ?

[rdb194665432]

Arkansas filing instructions state that we must sign Form AR8453-OL as a declaration for e-filing, but the bottom of the form clearly states "Do not mail this form".  We received notification that the return has been accepted.  Do we still need to electronically sign this form ?  If so, how do we do it ?

[WillK]

Per the instructions in the program and on form AR8453-OL you need to print and mail this form in along with your W-2's and 1099(s) if you have any. A link to the form is here: http://www.state.ar.us/dfa/income_tax/documents/AR8453-OL_Draft.pdf

[fanfare]

If you have to go through all this rigmarole in the great state or Arkansas, there's not much point in paying an e-Filing fee for a state tax return.

[j-ewing-ar]

Pretty sure the above response is inaccurate.  https://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/income-tax/arkansas-efile/ says
"If you choose to electronically file your State of Arkansas tax return by using one of the online web providers, you are required to complete the form AR8453-OL. Effective tax year 2011, the completed AR8453-OL along with the AR1000F or AR1000NR any W-2's or schedules are to be kept in your files."    It says you are to complete it and keep it for your files, not mail it in.

[j-ewing-ar]

Forgot to add, while I was still debating the conflicting instructions for 2019 filing to mail or not mail the AR8453-OL, I almost immediately got my AR refund deposited in the bank and have never received any follow-up complaints about not mailing the form.   I note that the AR8453-OL on my 2019 TurboTax return which has the "DO NOT MAIL" instruction has revision date 5/31/19 while the form with mailing instructions at the URL pointed to by previous response appears to be an obsolete version with a revision date of 10/1/07, which is prior to the law change for tax year 2011 and following.

[JohnW222]

@j-ewing-ar

You're right about the version revision date. 

According to the state's Arkansas eFile page, you're required to complete Form AR 8453-OL when you efile your tax return.

However, "Effective tax year 2011, the completed AR8453-OL along with the AR1000F or AR1000NR any W-2's or schedules are to be kept in your files."

So, while the law requires you to complete and hold onto the form, it doesn't require you to send it.