California State Tax

Who Pays California State Tax?

Residents of California who owe at least one dollar in taxes and whose income or adjusted gross income exceeds the minimum requirement for their age, filing status, and number of dependents, must file a California state tax return. It's that simple. There are, of course, a lot of exceptions to that rule, and you will have to find out whether any of the exceptions apply to your circumstances.

You can save time and, often, money by filing your return with an online tax filing service. First of all, they will be able to walk you through the process, asking the right questions that will determine whether you must file or not. In some cases, for example, while you are not required to file a California return, you may be passing up a refund for state taxes that were deducted from your paychecks.

California State Tax Dates

While California tax returns should be filed by April 15, 2004, the state gives its residents an automatic filing extension through October 15th each year. Unlike the Federal Government, California does not require its residents to request an extension. If you're eligible for a refund, you can file your return any time before October 15th. Remember that you will get your refund faster if you file online and if you have the refund direct deposited to your checking or bank account.

Like the Federal Government, however, if you owe money to the state of California, you should pay the amount by April 15th in order to avoid penalties and interest. Again, you can take care of this by paying online with a check or credit card. Even if you pay your tax bill, you are not required to file the actual return until October 15th. Filing your return online will ensure that it is received on time.