How to File Your Utah Tax Return for 2015

Filing your Utah tax return for 2015 may feel overwhelming, especially if you are unfamiliar with the process. The Utah State Tax Commission requires most residents, part-year residents, and some nonresidents with Utah income to file a return. Using the correct forms and understanding the steps ensures your return is complete, accurate, and accepted without unnecessary delays.

The filing deadline for 2015 was April 18, 2016, and taxpayers must prepare their documents carefully to avoid errors. Many filers chose to e-file using tax filing software, while others mailed paper forms directly to the Tax Commission. Whether you owed taxes or were due a refund, following the proper filing status rules and submitting all required schedules was essential to meet the due date and avoid penalties.

This guide explains how to file your taxes for the 2015 tax year in Utah. It walks through the forms you need and how to determine your filing requirements, and provides helpful tips to make the process easier. The steps are based on official instructions from the Utah State Tax Commission. They are designed to give clear answers and practical assistance so your return can be reviewed, processed, and finalized confidently.

Overview of Utah State Income Tax for 2015

Filing a Utah tax return for 2015 depended on your residency status, income, and federal filing requirements. The Utah State Tax Commission required most residents and certain nonresidents to file if they earned income connected to Utah. Even if you did not owe money, you may have needed to request a refund.

Who needed to file

You were required to file your taxes for 2015 in Utah if:

You were a full- or part-year resident who also had to file a federal income tax return.
You were a nonresident with Utah-sourced income that required you to file a federal return.
You wished to claim a refund for tax withheld by your employer.
You fell into a category of filers who met federal rules but had to complete Utah forms for credits or adjustments.

Some taxpayers were exempt from filing if their adjusted gross income was less than the sum of the federal standard deduction and personal exemptions for 2015.

Filing deadlines

Utah returns for the 2015 tax year were due on April 18, 2016, for calendar-year filers. Fiscal-year filers had a deadline on the 15th day of the fourth month after the fiscal year ended. The return was due the next business day if the date fell on a weekend or legal holiday. Extensions allowed additional time to file until October, but they did not extend the time to pay.

Key changes for 2015

The Utah Legislature passed SB 250, which allowed the Tax Commission to compare employer data with employee filings before refund issuance. This extra review meant some refunds were not released until after March 1, 2016.
A nonrefundable credit became available for businesses that employed homeless individuals.
The Clean Fuel Vehicle Tax Credit was extended to cover leased vehicles and certain electric motorcycles.

These updates affected how quickly refunds were processed and created new opportunities for taxpayers to reduce their owed amounts. Awareness of these adjustments helped filers prepare and avoid receiving a late notification or notice from the Tax Commission.

Utah Tax Forms You Need

Understanding which forms to use is one of the most important steps when preparing a 2015 Utah tax return. The main form for individuals was the TC-40, but many taxpayers also had to include additional schedules depending on their income, residency, or credits. Small business owners and pass-through entities had their specific forms.

Individual tax forms

The TC-40, Utah Individual Income Tax Return, was the primary form every individual filer needed to complete.
The TC-40A, Supplemental Schedule, was required if you had to report income additions, subtractions, or claim credits.
The TC-40B, Nonresident or Part-Year Resident Schedule, was used if you lived in Utah for only part of 2015 or earned Utah income as a nonresident.
The TC-40W, Withholding Tax Schedule, was necessary to report withholding information from employers and other sources.
The TC-40S, Credit for Income Tax Paid to Another State, applies if you were a Utah resident who also paid income tax in another state.
The TC-40C, Retirement Credit Schedule, was designed for eligible retirees to claim retirement-related credits.
The TC-547, Payment Coupon, was included if you owed money and chose to pay by check.
The TC-546, Prepayment Coupon, was used if you made estimated tax prepayments during the year.

Small business tax forms

Sole proprietors reported their business income on the TC-40, using their federal Schedule C as a reference.
Partnerships, LLPs, and LLCs had to file the TC-65, which required Utah-specific schedules and the preparation of a Schedule K-1 for each partner.
S corporations filed the TC-20S, while C corporations filed the TC-20, each including the necessary Utah schedules.

Where to get forms

The Utah State Tax Commission provided all 2015 forms on its official website, where taxpayers could download and print copies. Filers could also request paper forms through the automated phone service, and prior-year forms, including 2015, were available under the “previous years” category.

Step-by-Step Guide to Completing Your Utah Return

Filing your Utah tax return for 2015 required careful preparation. Following the correct sequence of steps could reduce errors and avoid delays in refund issuance or notices from the Utah State Tax Commission.

1. Gather documents

You needed a completed copy of your federal income tax return, even if you were not required to send it to the IRS.
W-2 forms from each employer were necessary to confirm wages and state withholding.
One thousand ninety-nine forms were required to report interest, dividends, or contract work income.
Documentation of Utah tax withholding was needed to claim credits on your return.
Records for deductions or credits, such as contributions to retirement plans or education savings, helped reduce your tax liability.

2. Complete the TC-40 form

On Page 1, you entered your personal information, selected your filing status, reported exemptions, and listed your federal adjusted gross income.
You also included additions and subtractions to income using information from the TC-40A, if applicable.
On Page 2, you calculated your Utah taxable income, applied credits, and entered withholding from the TC-40W.
This section also required you to determine whether you owed additional taxes or were eligible for a refund.

3. Add supplemental schedules if required

The TC-40A was necessary to record specific adjustments or claim tax credits.
The TC-40B applies if you were a part-year or nonresident with Utah income.
The TC-40W was required to document all withholding reported by employers or other payers.
Additional schedules were included only if your situation required them, such as claiming retirement credits or credits for taxes paid to another state.

4. Complete small business forms

Sole proprietors included their business income on the TC-40, with amounts flowing from the federal return.
Partnerships and LLCs filed the TC-65, prepared a Utah Schedule K-1 for each partner, and calculated pass-through withholding if any partners lived outside Utah.
S corporations filed the TC-20S with all Utah schedules, while C corporations filed the TC-20.

5. Review for accuracy

Every return needed to be double-checked for correct math calculations.
Filers had to verify that Social Security or employer identification numbers were correctly entered.
All required schedules had to be attached before mailing or submitting electronically.
Signatures were required from every filer, and in the case of a joint return, both spouses needed to sign.

How to File Your Utah Tax Return

Once your forms were complete, you had to decide how to file your Utah tax return for 2015. The Utah State Tax Commission encouraged taxpayers to e-file, but paper filing remained an option.

Electronic filing

Electronic filing through the Utah Taxpayer Access Point (TAP) or approved tax filing software provides faster and more accurate processing.
Built-in checks reduced the chance of calculation errors, improving your return's accuracy.
Filers received immediate confirmation when the system accepted their return.
Refunds from e-file submissions with direct deposit were usually issued within 7 to 14 days.

Paper filing

Paper returns must be completed in black or blue ink and reported in whole dollar amounts only.
Every return had to be signed and dated, and filers were encouraged to keep a copy for their records.
Returns with payments were mailed to the Utah State Tax Commission, 210 N 1950 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84134-0266.
Returns without payments, including those requesting a refund, were mailed to 210 N 1950 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84134-0260.

Attachments and exclusions

Utah returns required the inclusion of schedules such as TC-40A, TC-40B, or TC-40W, as well as any explanations for adjustments.
Filers claiming a refund for a deceased taxpayer had to attach Form TC-131.
Documents such as W-2s, 1099s, and copies of federal returns were not to be mailed unless specifically requested, but they needed to be kept in your records in case the Tax Commission issued a notice later.

How to Pay Your 2015 Utah Taxes

Once you completed your Utah tax return for 2015, the next step was paying any amount owed by the due date. The Utah State Tax Commission offered several convenient ways to submit payment, including online options, credit card payments, and paper checks.

Online payment options

You could pay electronically using E-Pay (ACH debit), which allows funds to be withdrawn directly from your bank account without added fees.
You can pay by credit or debit card, including Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express, though the card processor charges a service fee.
The Taxpayer Access Point (TAP) provided online account access, where you could make payments, review your balance, and request a payment plan if needed.

Paying by check or money order

If you prefer to pay by mail, send a check or money order to the Utah State Tax Commission.
Each mailed payment must include the coupon, TC-547, with your name, phone number, and the words “2015 TC-40” written on the check.
Sending cash was not permitted, and payments had to be mailed by the filing deadline to avoid penalties.

Deadlines and penalties

The due date for 2015 returns was April 18, 2016, for calendar-year filers, while fiscal-year filers had to pay by the 15th day of the fourth month after the fiscal year ended.
If you filed for an extension until October, you must pay your full estimated balance by April to avoid interest and penalties.
Failure to pay on time resulted in penalties and interest accrued until the balance was paid in full.

Payment agreements

If you cannot pay the full amount, request a payment agreement through TAP or contact the Utah State Tax Commission directly.
The Commission reviewed payment plan requests and issued notifications about approval or additional documentation needed.
Making timely installment payments helped taxpayers avoid further collection actions or failure-to-pay penalties.

Tracking Your Refund or Balance Due

After filing your 2015 Utah return, you could track your refund or check if you still owed money. The Utah State Tax Commission provided several options for accessing this information.

Refund status

You could check the status of your refund online through the Taxpayer Access Point (TAP) by entering your Social Security number and refund amount.
For those who preferred phone service, the Commission offered a toll-free number and a Salt Lake City line to provide refund updates.

Refund processing times

Refunds from e-file returns with direct deposit were usually issued within 7 to 14 days.
Paper returns took longer, often between 8 and 12 weeks, because they required manual review.
In 2015, many refunds were delayed until after March 1, 2016, because the Commission compared employer data with employee returns to prevent fraud.

Refund options

Direct deposit was the fastest way to receive your refund and required providing your bank routing and account numbers on your return.
Paper checks were mailed to your address if you did not choose direct deposit, though this method took longer.

Balance due status

Taxpayers could log into TAP to review balances, verify payments, and check for any notices issued by the Commission.
If you owed additional money, TAP allowed you to make payments online or request an installment payment plan.

Final Checklist Before Filing

Before you submit your Utah tax return for 2015, it is important to review everything carefully. A final checklist helped ensure your return was accurate, complete, and ready for acceptance by the Utah State Tax Commission.

Checklist for individual filers

Verify that you completed and signed Form TC-40 and attached all required schedules, such as TC-40A, TC-40B, or TC-40W.
Confirm that all Social Security numbers were entered correctly and matched the numbers on your IRS records.
Make sure your filing status was correctly chosen and matched your federal return.
Double-check the math on every line to prevent calculation errors.
Select your payment method if you owe taxes or your refund option if you expect money back.
If you filed a paper return, use the correct mailing address, keeping in mind the difference between returns with payments and those without.
Keep copies of all forms, W-2s, and supporting data in your records in case of an IRS or Utah audit.

Checklist for business filers

Ensure you completed and signed the appropriate return, such as the TC-65 for partnerships or the TC-20S for S corporations.
Prepare and distribute Schedule K-1 forms for each partner or shareholder, showing their share of income and withholding.
Confirm that all pass-through withholding tax payments were made by the original due date.
Verify that the Employer Identification Number (EIN) was entered correctly.
Review all attached schedules and confirm that the calculations were accurate.
Attach the required pages of your federal return if instructed and keep a copy for your records.

Completing this checklist before submission increases the accuracy of your filing and reduces the chance of missing deadlines, receiving a notice, or needing to file corrections later.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the due date for filing your Utah tax return for 2015?

The due date to file your Utah tax return 2015 was April 18, 2016. Filers who needed additional time could request an extension, which allowed them to file until October. However, an extension was not an extension of time to pay. If you owed income tax, you were still required to pay by the original deadline to avoid penalties, interest, and notices from the Utah State Tax Commission.

Can I still e-file my Utah tax return for 2015?

You can no longer e-file a Utah tax return for 2015 using the current tax filing software because electronic services generally close after several years. If you miss the electronic filing window, you must prepare the correct 2015 forms, complete them by hand, and mail them to the Tax Commission. The return will be reviewed, and any refund or balance due will be processed manually.

What forms are required to complete a Utah tax return for 2015?

The main form for filers was the TC-40, Utah Individual Income Tax Return. Depending on your filing status and income, you may also need schedules such as TC-40A for credits, TC-40B for part-year residents, or TC-40W to report withholding from your employer. Businesses used TC-65, TC-20S, or TC-20. The Utah State Tax Commission accepted only complete, signed, and accurate forms.

What should I do if I missed the original due date for my 2015 return?

If you missed the April 18, 2016, deadline, you should still file your taxes as soon as possible. Filing late may result in penalties, interest, or failure-to-file notices, but submitting a complete return helps reduce costs. Utah automatically granted an extension until October for those who filed on time with the IRS. Contact the Utah State Tax Commission for assistance if you owe money or need to request payment arrangements.

How can I determine my filing status for the 2015 Utah return?

Your filing status on a Utah tax return for 2015 had to match the one used on your federal return with the IRS. Filers could select single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, or head of household. Choosing the correct status was important because it affected your taxable income, available credits, and refund amount. If unsure, the instructions included helpful tips to review before you file.

Why was my 2015 Utah refund delayed?

Many taxpayers experienced delays in refund issuance for their 2015 returns because of new fraud prevention measures. The Utah State Tax Commission compared employer data with employee information before releasing money. This process caused refunds to be held until March 1, 2016, or later. Filers who submitted complete and accurate schedules and used e-file often received their refund faster, while others waited for notification or further review.

What if I need assistance with my 2015 Utah tax return?

If you need help with a Utah tax return for 2015, you can access services online through the Utah Taxpayer Access Point or contact the Utah State Tax Commission directly by phone. Representatives can answer questions, explain forms, and assist with notices. In some cases, filers may also refer to tax filing software instructions or request guidance from a third-party professional to prepare accurate schedules and avoid errors.