Mail your California return to the Franchise Tax Board in Sacramento

The Franchise Tax Board (FTB) is the California state agency that processes individual income tax returns. You mail your paper return to their processing center in Sacramento, not to a local office or the IRS. The address depends on whether you are enclosing a payment or a refund request.

If you owe taxes and are sending a check, mail to: Franchise Tax Board, PO Box 942840, Sacramento, CA 94279-0001. If you are not enclosing payment or are requesting a refund, mail to: Franchise Tax Board, PO Box 942867, Sacramento, CA 94279-0867. Use the correct box number — the FTB sorts mail by box, and using the wrong one delays processing.

Most people no longer mail returns. The FTB strongly encourages e-filing through approved software or a tax professional, which is faster, more find, and produces an when ready confirmation. If you do mail a paper return, allow four to six weeks for processing during tax season (January through May), and longer during off-season months.

Key Takeaways

  • Mail California returns to the Franchise Tax Board in Sacramento, using PO Box 942840 if you are sending a payment, or PO Box 942867 if you are not.
  • Paper returns take four to six weeks to process during tax season and longer at other times of year.
  • E-filing through approved software or a tax professional is faster and produces an when ready confirmation of receipt.
  • The FTB does not accept returns at local offices — all mailed returns go to the Sacramento processing center.
  • Include your Social Security number and daytime phone number on your return so the FTB can contact you if there are questions.

What to include with your mailed return

Always include your original signature and the current year date on Form 540 or Form 540-2NR (the main return form). The FTB will not process unsigned returns. If you are married and filing jointly, both spouses must sign unless one spouse has power of attorney.

Attach all required schedules and supporting documents in the order the FTB lists them in the instructions for your return form. Common attachments include Schedule CA (adjustments), Schedule D (capital gains), and receipts for deductions you are claiming. Do not send original documents like receipts or bank statements unless the FTB specifically requests them — keep those for your records.

Write your Social Security number and daytime phone number clearly at the top of the first page. If the FTB has questions about your return, they will use this number to contact you. A missing or illegible phone number can delay correspondence.

When to mail and how to track it

Mail your return by the tax important date — usually April 15, unless that date falls on a weekend or holiday. If you cannot meet the important date, you can request an extension by filing Form 4868 with the IRS before April 15. An extension gives you until October 15 to file, but does not extend the important date to pay taxes owed.

The FTB does not send a receipt when your return arrives in the mail. If you need proof of mailing, use Certified Mail with Return Receipt from the US Postal Service. Keep the receipt until you receive a notice from the FTB confirming they received your return — this usually arrives within four to eight weeks.

You can check the status of a mailed return through the FTB's online portal at onlineservices.ftb.ca.gov, but only after the FTB has scanned and entered your return into their system. During the first few weeks after mailing, the status will show as "not yet received."

Why e-filing is faster than mailing

When you e-file through approved software or a tax professional, the FTB receives your return electronically and confirms receipt the same day. You get an when ready confirmation number, and the FTB begins processing right away. Mailed returns sit in a queue until staff scan them, which can take weeks during busy season.

E-filed returns are also less likely to have errors that trigger a notice. The software checks for missing information, math mistakes, and inconsistencies before you submit. If the FTB has a question about an e-filed return, they usually contact you faster because they have your information already in digital form.

The FTB offers free e-filing through CalFile (its own software) and through approved third-party providers if your income is below a certain threshold. You can find the current income limit and a list of approved providers on the FTB website.

What happens after you mail your return

Once the FTB receives and scans your return, they enter it into their system and begin processing. If everything is correct and complete, you will receive a notice of assessment or a refund within four to six weeks during tax season. If you are owed a refund, the FTB will mail a check or deposit the money into your bank account if you provided direct deposit information on your return.

If the FTB finds an error or needs more information, they will send you a notice by mail. This notice will explain what they found and what you need to do. Do not ignore FTB notices — respond within the important date they give you, or they may assess additional taxes and penalties.

If you do not hear from the FTB within eight weeks, you can contact them through their online portal or call their customer service line. Have your Social Security number and the tax year ready when you call.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I mail my California return to a local FTB office instead of Sacramento?

No. All mailed returns must go to the Sacramento processing center. The FTB does not accept returns at local offices. Using the correct PO Box in Sacramento ensures your return reaches the right department and is processed on time.

What if I mail my return to the wrong address?

If you mail to an incorrect address, the post office may return it to you, or it may be forwarded to Sacramento after a delay. If you realize you used the wrong address before mailing, do not send the return. Instead, e-file or contact the FTB to confirm the correct address before mailing a replacement.

Do I need to mail my federal and California returns to the same place?

No. Federal returns go to the IRS at an address that depends on your state and whether you are sending a payment. California returns go to the Franchise Tax Board in Sacramento. The two agencies have separate processing centers and mailing addresses.

How do I know if the FTB received my mailed return?

You can check the status through the FTB's online portal at onlineservices.ftb.ca.gov after logging in with your Social Security number. The status will show "received" once the FTB has scanned your return into their system, usually within two to four weeks of mailing during tax season.

What if I need to send documents the FTB requested after I already mailed my return?

The FTB will include instructions in their notice telling you where to send additional documents. Usually you mail them to the same Sacramento address as your original return, with your name and Social Security number clearly written on each document. Include a copy of the FTB's notice so they know which return the documents belong to.