California Tax Liability increases after filing taxes Feb 16, 2026

Could $653 be what you owed after payments and credits, while $3,900 was your gross liability? This forum has no access to your return. Did you save a copy as a PDF after filing? Then you can look at the filed copy and the now copy to see what, if anything, changed. Many users have multiple accounts, some of which are unfinished returns, so the numbers will differ.  

how to check

https://turbotax.community.intuit.ca/turbotax-support/en-ca/help-article/login-password/recover-intuit-account-sign/L6TnnBrRd_CA_en_CA 

you should be able to access a transcript of the return on file 

The most direct method for obtaining California tax information is by registering for and accessing an online account through the FTB’s MyFTB portal. This secure platform provides instant access to your account details, payment history, and limited tax return information. Creating an account requires you to verify your identity using a valid phone number and data from a California tax return filed within the last five years.

Once logged into MyFTB, you can navigate to the “View Account Details” section to find and print the Account Transcript or Record of Account information. This online method is free and provides the necessary data summary instantly, which is ideal for urgent financial applications. If you are unable to register instantly, the FTB will mail a Personal Identification Number (PIN) to the address on file within five to seven business days.

For requests that cannot be fulfilled via the MyFTB portal, such as a full copy of the return, you must use the paper Form FTB 3516. The form requires the taxpayer’s information, the requested tax year, and a physical signature. Mail the completed form along with the $20 check or money order for each year to the FTB’s Data Storage Section in Rancho Cordova.

Thank you Mike for your reply!  I did compare my e-file and the post-update tax return.  As it turns out, during the update, or maybe just my inadvertent error, the box for Health Insurance all year was un-checked, causing the Individual Shared Responsibility Penalty calculation to kick in.  I went back to the Step-by-Step questionnaire and re-checked the Yes box for Health Insurance all year round and my CA State Liability went back down to $653.  That was definitely a THANK GOODNESS!  I pay beaucoup bucks for health insurance.  I feel badly for anyone who has to pay this Penalty.