State income tax payments due by July 15

With tax day coming next week, the Franchise Tax Board today reminded taxpayers that July 15 is the deadline to pay postponed income taxes owed for 2019, as well as estimated taxes for the first and second quarters of 2020.

Taxpayers who need to make a 2019 income tax return payment and also owe estimated taxes for 2020 must make two separate payments by July 15, 2020: one for their 2019 income tax return payment and one for their 2020 estimated tax payments. The two estimated quarterly tax payments may be combined into a single payment.

Paying Electronically: FTB’s Web Pay allows taxpayers to pay their tax with funds drawn directly from their bank accounts with no fees. Using Web Pay is quick and easy and you receive immediate confirmation that FTB has received your payment request. Those subject to mandatory e-pay should use Web Pay to avoid a potential penalty for paying by check.

Online credit card payments (MasterCard, VISA, American Express or Discover) are also accepted with a 2.3 percent service fee.

Payments by check: If making a 2019 income tax return payment when paper filing your 2019 income tax return, write your Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number and “2019 Form 540” on the check, and make it payable to “Franchise Tax Board.” Enclose, but do not staple, your payment with your tax return.

If making a 2019 income tax return payment when e-filing your 2019 income tax return, mail your check with form FTB 3582, Payment Voucher for Individual e-filed Returns. Do not mail a copy of your e-filed tax return.

If making a 2019 income tax return payment without filing a 2019 tax return (paper or electronic), mail your check with form FTB 3519, Payment for Automatic Extension for Individuals.

To make April 15 and June 15, 2020, estimated tax payments by check, include one quarterly voucher with your check (or checks) and write the combined dollar amount of the estimated taxes on the voucher. Do not combine your 2019 income tax payment and any 2020 estimated tax payment on the same check. Prepare separate checks for 2019 income taxes and 2020 estimated taxes and mail each in a separate envelope.

Individual taxpayers can go to their MyFTB account to securely access their tax information and to view and schedule tax payments. Visit COVID-19 Extensions to file and pay for a list of returns and payments due July 15, 2020.

Even taxpayers who do not owe taxes, or who do not earn enough to be required to file, may benefit from filing a personal income tax return, and tax preparation assistance is available for those who need it.

California’s Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC): If you are 18 or older, work, and have low income, you may qualify for CalEITC. Between CalEITC and the companion federal EITC, low-income families can boost their refund by thousands of dollars. Anyone earning $30,000 or less may qualify for CalEITC of up to $2,982. Those earning $55,952 or less may be able to receive the federal EITC of up to $6,557. Learn more about these valuable credits.

Young Child Tax Credit: The Young Child Tax Credit was introduced in tax year 2019. If you qualify for CalEITC and have at least one child under the age of 6 as of the end of the tax year, you may qualify for $1,000 through this credit.

Free Tax Help: Most Volunteer Income Tax Assistance locations are closed during the pandemic. However, there are a limited number of locations around the state that continue to operate. Visit the IRS’ Get Free Tax Prep Help page frequently for updated information on available sites and hours.

More than 6.4 million taxpayers are eligible to file their state tax returns online for free using FTB’s fast and easy CalFile program. CalFile allows taxpayers to file directly with FTB and provides instant confirmation. Registration is not required to use CalFile and taxpayers are able to claim both CalEITC and the new Young Child Tax Credit using the program.

FTB also has a list of other free online tax preparation options.