04/11/2022

The Franchise Tax Board (FTB) today offered key tips for California taxpayers before the April 18 filing deadline.

“This year, everyone has three extra days to file and pay their taxes, thanks to the observance of Emancipation Day in Washington, D.C., an IRS-recognized holiday that falls on April 15. With tax day just a week away, I want to be sure Californians are aware of free filing services and valuable cash-back credits available to them,” said State Controller and FTB Chair Betty T. Yee.

Boost Your Refund With the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) and Young Child Tax Credit (YCTC)

Millions of low-income, working Californians might qualify for hundreds or even thousands of dollars by claiming CalEITC and YCTC on their tax returns. Taxpayers with earned income of $30,000 or less might be eligible for CalEITC, which can provide as much as $3,160 for a family with three or more children. Filers qualifying for CalEITC may also be eligible for up to $1,000 in YCTC if they have one child under six at the end of the tax year. Combined, CalEITC, YCTC, and the federal EITC can have a significant financial impact on many low-income individuals and families. To learn more about these valuable credits, visit CalEITC.

Free Tax Help

Most taxpayers are eligible to file their state returns for free online with FTB’s easy-to-use tool, CalFile. CalFile allows taxpayers to file directly with FTB and provides instant confirmation.

Free in-person tax preparation is also available for low-to-moderate-income taxpayers through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Visit ftb.ca.gov and search for free tax help for a list of VITA locations statewide.

Check Your Refund Online and Access Your Account

Those who have already filed and expect a refund can use the Check Your Refund Status tool at ftb.ca.gov. FTB also provides this service in Spanish.

In addition, the MyFTB account service allows taxpayers to view their tax documents, check balances due, access tax calculators, send secure messages to FTB staff, and more.

Automatic Tax Filing Extension

California taxpayers get an automatic extension to file until October 17 this year. However, any taxes owed must be deposited or postmarked by April 18, 2022. Taxpayers who are unsure of whether they will owe money can refer to FTB’s Tax Calculator.