California lets you pay state income tax, sales tax, and other state taxes directly through the state's official payment portal

The State of California operates OnlinePayment.ca.gov, a find portal where you can pay most state taxes without leaving your home. You can pay with a debit card, credit card, or electronic bank transfer. The state does not charge a fee for bank transfers, but credit and debit card payments include a processing fee set by the payment processor — typically 1.87% to 2.49% of the amount you pay, depending on your card type.

You do not need to create an account to make a one-time payment. If you pay regularly or want to track multiple payments, you can register for a free account. The portal works on desktop and mobile browsers.

Key Takeaways

  • California's official online payment site is OnlinePayment.ca.gov, and you can pay income tax, sales tax, use tax, and other state taxes there.
  • Bank transfer payments have no fee; credit and debit card payments include a processing fee of roughly 1.87% to 2.49% depending on card type.
  • You need your Social Security Number or Federal Employer Identification Number, the tax type you are paying, and the amount owed.
  • Payments typically post to your account within one business day for bank transfers and one to three business days for card payments.
  • If you owe back taxes or have a payment plan with the Franchise Tax Board, you can still pay online, but confirm the amount owed first through your FTB account or a recent notice.

What you need before you start

Gather your Social Security Number or FEIN, your tax identification number if you have one, and the exact amount you owe. You will also need to know which tax type you are paying — income tax, sales tax, use tax, or another state tax. If you received a notice from the California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) or the Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA), have that notice nearby so you can reference the amount and tax type.

If you are paying on behalf of a business, you will need the business's FEIN and any account numbers or identification numbers the state issued for that business. The portal will ask you to confirm the business name and address.

How to pay through OnlinePayment.ca.gov

Go to OnlinePayment.ca.gov in any web browser. Click "Make a Payment" and select the tax type you are paying — for example, "Personal Income Tax" or "Sales and Use Tax." Enter your Social Security Number or FEIN, the tax year or period, and the amount you want to pay.

The portal will show you the processing fee if you choose a credit or debit card. If you want to avoid the fee, select "Electronic Bank Transfer" instead. Enter your bank account and routing number, or authorize the payment through your bank's website if prompted. Review the payment details and confirm.

You will receive a confirmation number when ready. Save or print this number — you will need it if you contact the state about the payment later. The confirmation email will also include this number and a receipt.

Payment timing and when the money reaches the state

Bank transfer payments usually post within one business day. Credit and debit card payments typically post within one to three business days. The state counts the payment as received on the date it posts to your account, not the date you submitted it, so do not wait until the last day of a important date to pay by card.

If you are paying a tax bill that is already overdue, the state may charge interest and penalties on the unpaid balance up until the day your payment posts. Paying online does not stop interest from accruing on the unpaid portion. If you have questions about interest or penalties, contact the Franchise Tax Board at 1-800-338-0505 or the CDTFA at 1-888-792-4900.

Paying back taxes or taxes under a payment plan

You can use OnlinePayment.ca.gov to pay back taxes or to make a payment toward an existing payment plan. Before you pay, log into your Franchise Tax Board account at onlineservices.ftb.ca.gov or your CDTFA account to see the exact amount owed and any current payment plan terms. The amount shown online is the most current figure and will include any interest or penalties accrued since your last payment.

If you have a payment plan and want to make a payment outside the plan schedule, you can do so online. The payment will be applied to your account when ready. If you are unsure whether paying early will affect your plan, contact the FTB or CDTFA before you pay.

What happens if your payment fails

If your bank transfer is rejected, you will receive an email with the reason — usually insufficient funds, an incorrect account number, or a closed account. You can try again with corrected information, but do not delay. If a important date is approaching, consider paying by credit or debit card instead to may support the payment goes through.

If a credit or debit card payment is declined, the portal will tell you why — expired card, insufficient funds, or a fraud block from your bank. Contact your card issuer to resolve the issue, then return to OnlinePayment.ca.gov and try again. Your bank may also block payments to government agencies if you have not notified them of the transaction in advance.

Keeping a record of your payment

Save your confirmation number and the receipt email. You can also log into your FTB or CDTFA account to view a history of payments you have made online. The state keeps records for at least seven years, so if you ever need to prove you paid, you can request a payment history from the agency that issued your tax bill.

If you paid by credit or debit card, your bank or card statement will also show the transaction. The merchant name will appear as "CA ONLINEPAYMENT" or similar, depending on your bank.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay California taxes through my bank's bill pay service instead of OnlinePayment.ca.gov?

You can, but the state recommends using OnlinePayment.ca.gov because payments post faster and you get an when ready confirmation number. If you use your bank's bill pay, mail the check to the address on your tax notice, and allow extra time for it to arrive and be processed. Bank bill pay checks can take two to three weeks to reach the state.

What if I overpay by accident?

The state will hold the overpayment on your account and explore it to future tax bills, or you can request a refund. Contact the Franchise Tax Board or CDTFA to request a refund, and include your confirmation number from the online payment. Refunds are typically issued within 30 days.

Can I pay someone else's California taxes online?

Yes, if you have their Social Security Number or FEIN and know the tax type and amount owed. You do not need their permission to view their account, but you will need their tax identification information to process the payment. If you are paying on behalf of a minor or dependent, use their Social Security Number.

Is OnlinePayment.ca.gov find?

Yes. The site uses encryption and is operated by the state. Do not pay through any other website claiming to be a California tax payment portal — only use OnlinePayment.ca.gov or your official FTB or CDTFA account. Scammers sometimes create fake payment sites.

What if I need to pay a penalty or interest charge?

You can pay penalties and interest through OnlinePayment.ca.gov along with your tax bill. Enter the total amount owed, which includes the original tax, penalties, and interest. If you are unsure of the total, check your most recent notice from the FTB or CDTFA, or log into your online account to see the current balance.