California Deadline 2021

[john699]

I'm a little confused. On the website of the FTB, I saw that there is an automatic extension until October 15th but it also says the deadline for filing has been updated to May 17th. So can anyone confirm for me if I need to mail my state tax return before May 17th or October 15th? I have a tax refund due, but not owning anything. So would filing late affect that refund? Thank you very much.

[ToddL99 · Accepted solution]

These are two different deadlines and you can take advantage of both.

The May 17 deadline is automatic - no action necessary.  California announced it will extend the state tax filing and payment deadline for individuals to May 17, 2021. 

The Oct 15 deadline is also automatic, but only applies to filing your return - as stated above, taxes must be paid by May 17.

From Extension to File:

No application is required for an extension to file.

Personal

We give you an automatic 6-month extension to file your return. You must file by the deadline to avoid a late filing penalty.

The deadline is October 15, 2021.

An extension to file your tax return is not an extension to pay. Pay the amount you owe by May 17 to avoid penalties and interest. 

Make a payment

Use Payment for Automatic Extension for Individuals (FTB 3519) to make a payment by mail if both of the following apply:

• You cannot file your 2020 tax return by May 17, 2021
• You owe tax for 2020

To pay electronically, visit our payment options.

[john699]

@ToddL99  Thank you very much for the clarification. So it means I can still claim my refund if I submit my state tax after May 17th, is that correct?

[CatinaT1]

Yes

[tk94110]

I'm using TT Home & Biz Desktop on macOS. 

I could find an extension link and TT guided me and recorded the amount I am going to pay IRS for the extension, and printed the form 4868. But TT didn't ask me about the state (California) tax extension. I poke around but I could not find a place I could file California extension.

I went to ftb.ca.gov and they say CA automatically extends the deadline if I pay the amount I think I would owe. I am going to do that. But how can I tell TT that I have paid that amount to California ?