California state tax filing

File Federal for $0 and add California for just $15.99.

We'll help you file both returns at once.

Start 2025 return

Federal $0State $15.99

State Return

$15.99

Save time and avoid errors by filing your federal and state return together.

  • File federal and state together
  • Prepare with a few clicks
  • E-File and direct deposit included
  • Max refund guaranteed

Federal Return

Simple/Advanced

Guaranteed free

$0All Tax Situations
  • Guaranteed 100% accurate
  • 350+ deductions and credits
  • Filing history, compare this year with last year
  • Print past and current tax returns at any time

Includes Basic features

Guaranteed free

$0Simple tax returns
  • Guaranteed 100% accurate
  • 350+ deductions and credits
  • Filing history, compare this year with last year
  • Print past and current tax returns at any time

Includes Premium features

Guaranteed free

$0Investments and rental income
  • Rental property income
  • Import prior year information
  • Home ownership. Write off interest and property taxes
  • Deduction for your Health Savings Account

Includes Self-Employed features

Guaranteed free

$01099 income and expenses
  • All 1099 forms supported
  • Complex tax situations
  • Small business income
  • Asset depreciation
  • Uncommon income, home sale, tuition distributions, etc.
Start 2025 return

California tax details

California passed several laws that change personal income tax returns for 2025. The biggest change is Senate Bill 711 (SB 711), which moves California’s date for following federal tax law to January 1, 2025. That means some federal changes now apply in California and others do not. SB 711 does not adopt federal tax changes made after January 1, 2025 — for example, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (Public Law 119 21) is not included.

Under the new conformity date, California will generally follow federal rules for the treatment of certain retirement items (such as IRA catch up contributions for some taxpayers, the age limit for IRA contributions, and disaster related loans from retirement plans). Beginning with divorce or separation agreements executed after December 31, 2025, (or agreements modified after that date), California will follow federal law that disallows a deduction for alimony paid and excludes alimony received from income. Alimony from agreements executed on or before December 31, 2025, will still need to be adjusted on the California return under the prior rules.

Taxpayers who bought health coverage through Covered California should not expect a Form 3895 for tax year 2025. Federal subsidy expansions made the California Premium Assistance Subsidy obsolete, so these forms will not be mailed out for 2025.

2025 California tax forms

These are the supported California state tax forms on FreeTaxUSA:

  • Form 540
    California Resident Income Tax Return

  • Form 540NR
    California Nonresident or Part-Year Resident Income Tax Return

  • Schedule W-2
    Wage and Tax Statement

  • Schedule CA
    California Adjustments - Residents

  • Schedule CA (NR)
    California Adjustments - Nonresidents or Part-Year Residents

  • Schedule D
    California Capital Gain or Loss Adjustment - Residents

  • Schedule D (NR)
    California Capital Gain or Loss Adjustment - Nonresidents or Part-Year Residents

  • Schedule D-1
    Sales of Business Property

  • Schedule P
    Alternative Minimum Tax and Credit Limitations - Residents

  • Schedule P (NR)
    Alternative Minimum Tax and Credit Limitations - Nonresidents or Part-Year Residents

  • Schedule S
    Other State Tax Credit

  • Schedule X
    California Explanation of Amended Return Changes

  • Form 540-ES
    Estimated Tax for Individuals

  • Form 3461
    California Limitations on Business Losses

  • Form 3506
    Child and Dependent Care Expenses Credit

  • Form 3510
    Credit for Prior Year Alternative Minimum Tax

  • Form 3514
    California Earned Income Tax Credit

  • Form 3519
    Payment for Automatic Extension for Individuals

  • Form 3532
    Head of Household Filing Status Schedule

  • Form 3568
    Alternative Identifying Information for the Dependent Exemption Credit

  • Form 3582
    Payment Voucher for Individual e-filed Returns

  • Form 3582X
    Payment Voucher for Individual e-filed Amended Returns

  • Form 3592
    College Access Tax Credit

  • Form 3800
    Tax Computation for Certain Children with Unearned Income

  • Form 3596
    Paid Preparer's Due Diligence Checklist for California Earned Income Tax Credit

  • Form 3805E
    Installment Sale Income

  • Form 3803
    Parents' Election to Report Child's Interest and Dividends

  • Form 3804-CR
    Pass-Through Entity Elective Tax Credit

  • Form 3805P
    Additional Taxes on Qualified Plans (Including IRAs) and Other Tax-Favored Accounts

  • Form 3805V
    Net Operating Loss (NOL) Computation and NOL and Disaster Loss Limitations

  • Form 3853
    Health Coverage Exemptions and Individuals Shared Responsibility Penalty

  • Form 3885A
    Depreciation and Amortization Adjustments

  • Form 3913
    Moving Expense Deduction

  • Form 8453-OL
    California Online e-file Return Authorization for Individuals

  • Form 8453
    California e-file Return Authorization for Individuals

  • Form 8454
    e-file Opt-Out Record for Individuals

  • Form 8455
    California e-file Payment Record for Individuals

  • Form 8879
    California e-file Siganture Authorization for Individuals

Frequently asked questions

2025 California filing deadlines

Keep these California state deadlines in mind as you do your taxes.

  • Individual tax returns
    Due by April 15, 2026

  • California tax extension
    If you expect a refund: Automatic extension. No form required
    If you expect to owe CA taxes: Submit Form 3519 with payment.
    Due by April 15, 2026

  • Income tax payment
    Due by April 15, 2026

  • Tax returns for extension filers
    Due by October 15, 2026

2025 California Refunds

Ways to receive your refund

Get your California refund in your checking or savings account, as a paper check, or put it towards next year's California taxes.

Refund status for e-filed tax returns

If you filed your California tax return electronically, you can usually check your CA refund status 8-12 business days after the California Franchise Tax Board accepts your return.

Refund status for mailed tax returns

If you mailed your CA tax return, you should wait 3 to 4 weeks before checking your CA refund status.

How to check your refund status

Check your CA refund status online at https://webapp.ftb.ca.gov/refund/login.

Call the California Franchise Tax Board at 1-800-852-5711.

2025 California state tax payments

California has many income tax payment options. Find the option that works best for you below.

Pay electronically

You can use this payment option when you e-file with us.

Due by April 15, 2026

Pay with a card

Visit ACI Payments, Inc. to pay using a credit card.

Due by April 15, 2026

Pay by mail

If mailing your tax return, include your check or money order with your return.

If you e-file your tax return, mail in a check or money order with Form 3582.

If you filed an extension, mail in your extension tax payment with Form 3519.

Due by April 15, 2026

2025 California extension

An extension extends the time you have to file your return by up to 6 months. If you need to pay taxes, you are required to pay the amount due by April 15, 2026.

You need to pay your taxes by April 15, 2026. If you pay late, you may be charged a late penalty and interest on any unpaid taxes.

If you expect a refund from California:

A California extension is automatic.

If you expect to owe California taxes:

Submit California Form 3519 with your payment by April 15, 2026.

California prior year taxes

Even though the deadline has passed, you can still prepare California taxes for prior years. Many people who file late tax returns have refunds waiting for them. We'll help you prepare and mail your federal and state tax returns.

Customer reviews

Ver todos los opiniones

Seguro y privado

Proteger tus datos personales es nuestra prioridad. Lee cómo te los aseguramos.

Seguridad y privacidad

Declaración federal gratuita para todos

Inicia declaración del 2025