----------------------------
                                                            OMB APPROVAL
                                                    ----------------------------
                                                    OMB Number:        3235-0058
                                                    Expires:    January 31, 2005
                                                    Estimated average burden
                                                    hours per response......2.50
                                                    ----------------------------
                                                           SEC FILE NUMBER
                                                               0-10211
                                                    ----------------------------
                                                            CUSIP NUMBER

                                                    ----------------------------

                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                   FORM 12b-25

                           NOTIFICATION OF LATE FILING

(Check One): [ ] Form 10-K  [ ] Form 20-F  [X] Form 11-K  [ ] Form 10-Q
             [ ] Form N-SAR

              For Period Ended: December 31, 2002
                               ----------------------------------
              [ ] Transition Report on Form 10-K
              [ ] Transition Report on Form 20-F
              [ ] Transition Report on Form 11-K
              [ ] Transition Report on Form 10-Q
              [ ] Transition Report on Form N-SAR

              For the Transition Period Ended:
                                              -------------------

If the notification  relates to a portion of the filing checked above,  identify
the Item(s) to which the notification relates:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PART I - REGISTRANT INFORMATION

Inter-Tel, Incorporated
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Full Name of Registrant


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Former Name if Applicable

1615 South 52nd Street
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address of Principal Executive Office (Street and Number)

Tempe, AZ 85281
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
City, State and Zip Code

PART II - RULES 12b-25(b) and (c)

If the subject report could not be filed without  unreasonable effort or expense
and the registrant seeks relief pursuant to Rule 12b-25(b), the following should
be completed. (Check box if appropriate)

      |   (a)  The reasons  described in  reasonable  detail in Part III of this
      |        form  could  not be  eliminated  without  unreasonable  effort or
      |        expense;
      |   (b)  The subject annual report,  semi-annual report, transition report
      |        on Form 10-K, Form 20-F,  11-K,  Form N-SAR, or portion  thereof,
[X]   |        will be filed on or before the  fifteenth  calendar day following
      |        the  prescribed  due date;  or the  subject  quarterly  report or
      |        transition  report on Form 10-Q, or portion thereof will be filed
      |        on or before the fifth  calendar day following the prescribed due
      |        date; and
      |   (c)  The  accountant's  statement  or other  exhibit  required by Rule
      |        12b-25(c) has been attached if applicable.

PART III - NARRATIVE

State below in reasonable detail why the forms 10-K, 20-F, 11-K, 10-Q, N-SAR, or
the  transition  report  or  portion  thereof,  could  not be filed  within  the
prescribed time period.

Inter-Tel has engaged a new independent  auditing firm solely for the purpose of
preparing  the Form  11-K.  This  change in  auditors  required  an  additional,
unforeseen  amount of work.  Inter-Tel,  Incorporated  respectfully  requests an
additional  fifteen  days to  complete  this work and  furnish  the Form 11-K as
permitted under Rule 12b-25(a).

PART IV - OTHER INFORMATION

(1)  Name  and  telephone  number  of  person  to  contact  in  regard  to  this
     notification

                 Caine Moss, Esq.                 (650)          493-9300
     --------------------------------------   -------------  ------------------
                      (Name)                   (Area Code)   (Telephone Number)

(2)  Have all other periodic  reports  required under Section 13 or 15(d) of the
     Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or Section 30 of the Investment Company Act
     of 1940 during the preceding 12 months or for such shorter  period that the
     registrant was required to file such report(s) been filed? If answer is no,
     identify report(s).                                          [X] YES [ ] NO

     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

(3)  Is it anticipated that any significant change in results of operations from
     the corresponding  period for the last fiscal year will be reflected by the
     earnings statement to be included in the subject report or portion thereof?
                                                                  [ ] YES [X] NO

If so, attach an explanation of the  anticipated  change,  both  narratively and
quantitatively, and, if appropriate, state the reasons why a reasonable estimate
of the results cannot be made.

================================================================================

                             Inter-Tel, Incorporated
                  --------------------------------------------
                  (Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

has  caused  this  notification  to be signed on its  behalf by the  undersigned
hereunto duly authorized.

Date: July 1, 2003                          By: /s/ Kurt R. Kneip
      -----------------------                   --------------------------------
                                                Kurt R. Kneip, Sr.
                                                Vice President and Plan
                                                Administrator
                                                Inter-Tel, Incorporated and
                                                Inter-Tel, Incorporated Tax
                                                Deferred Savings Plan and
                                                Retirement Trust

                                       2