topic When I tried to print my California state return, Form 540 was eligible. However, there is a Form 8453-OL. What do I do with this form? in State tax filing

When I tried to print my California state return, Form 540 was eligible. However, there is a Form 8453-OL. What do I do with this form?

rkboren — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 11:22:49 GMT

Form 540 in its entirety is illegible. Instead, all that was provided in the Deluxe edition was this Form 8453-OL. What do I do with this form? And what about Form 540? What does the state of California require when there is $0 owed and $0 refunded? If I need to mail this form, where do I mail it?

Re: When I tried to print my California state return, Form 540 was eligible. However, there is a ...

BillM223 — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 17:02:31 GMT

Form 8453-OL is a form in which you declare that (1) you permit the use of an electronic signature to file your return, and (2) you authorize any deposit or direct debit which your return asks for you.

You put this form in your tax files - you do not send it to anyone. There is a similar form for your federal return, with the same impact. (Form 8453).

What does "Form 540 in its entirety is illegible" mean?

As for your situation, it seems unlikely that you are required to file a California return (Form 540). Take a look at "Do you need to file?"

Re: When I tried to print my California state return, Form 540 was eligible. However, there is a ...

rkboren — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 18:10:56 GMT

Thank you so very much for your reply. I've been using the Deluxe edition of TurboTax for 13 years now, and this is the first time I have had $0 refund $0 tax owed. Plus, it's the first time I've ever seen Form 8453-OL and an illegible Form 540. And all of it was just so confusing. TurboTax did not provide enough information on how I was to proceed. I will definitely report back to them on this since I'm probably not the first person to come across this problem. Thank you again for solving this conundrum.