Franchise tax board

The Franchise Tax Board is a California government agency dedicated to helping taxpayers file timely and accurate returns and pay the correct amount to fund essential state services. It provides online tools like MyFTB and CalFile for individuals and tax professionals to manage tax matters, check refund status, and make payments securely. The board operates under foundational principles that safeguard taxpayer privacy and ensure accurate fiduciary responsibilities.

Taxpayers can access the board's services through the MyFTB portal, which offers 24/7 account access for checking refunds, filing returns, and managing payments. Individuals can also use the free CalFile system to file California taxes online without assistance. Tax professionals have dedicated resources and tools to help them serve their clients effectively through the board's online platform.

The board offers a wide range of self-service options including checking refund status, applying for payment plans, and requesting individual status letters. Specific services include the High-Road Cannabis Tax Credit, Homeless hiring tax credit reservation, and the Foster Youth Tax Credit calculator. Users can also report fraud or identity theft directly through the board's online interface.

The board's website features a 'Where's My Refund?' tool that requires users to provide their Social Security number, ZIP code, exact refund amount, and mailing address numbers. For e-filed returns, the normal processing time is up to three weeks, while paper returns can take up to three months. Extra review time may be necessary for accuracy and fraud protection.

The board operates a call center with customer service representatives available at 800-852-5713 from 8 AM to 5 PM on weekdays. Tax practitioners have access to a separate hotline at 916-845-7057 during the same hours. The board also provides a virtual hold option allowing professionals to receive a callback at a specified time instead of waiting on hold.

The board's executive team includes Executive Officer Selvi Stanislaus, Chief Legal Counsel Shane Hofeling, and Chief Audit Division Gretchen Moe. The board is led by State Controller Malia Cohen as Chair, with members from the Board of Equalization and Department of Finance. The organization emphasizes transparency, professionalism, and operating in accordance with the Statement of Principles of Tax Administration.

The board's mission is to help taxpayers file accurate returns and pay the correct amount to fund services important to Californians. It operates with foundational principles that include safeguarding taxpayer data privacy and ensuring secure systems. The board aims to deliver excellent products and services while contributing to a caring community through mutual respect and teamwork.

Some reviewers praise the board for having a user-friendly website and responsive customer support that resolves queries promptly. Many users note that the process of filing taxes is streamlined and the instructions are clear. The board is frequently recommended for making tax filing hassle-free and easy to navigate.

Some reviewers complain that the website can be difficult to navigate and is not always intuitive. Others mention that the website was slow and often crashed during the tax filing process. Some users also reported that it took a lot of time to get their queries answered by customer support.

The board has received 10 reviews on Trustburn with an average rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars. The rating split includes several 5-star reviews praising the user-friendly website and excellent service, alongside a few 3-star reviews citing issues with website performance and support response times. The feedback is recent, with reviews spanning from early 2023 to late 2023.

The board is actively involved in legal matters, including a proposed class action settlement related to Bahl Media, LLC v. California FTB and Wein Realty, LLC v. California FTB. News reports highlight the board's role in cracking down on tax evasion schemes, such as recovering $4 million from luxury vehicle owners registered out of state. The board also handles systemic issues and offers subscription services for bulk sales certificates.

The board provides a variety of subscription services including the HCM File Exchange (FX) Portal and the FX Portal for bulk sales certificates. It also offers tools like the Earnings withholding calculator and the Individual shared responsibility penalty estimator for taxpayers. The board allows users to request an e-file waiver and revive a business through its online services.

The board offers a 'Virtual hold' feature as an option for tax professionals, allowing them to receive a callback at a specified time instead of waiting on hold. This feature is part of the broader customer service channels designed to optimize processes and resources. The board also provides a locator tool to help users find field offices near them.

The board's website includes a 'Forms and Publications' search tool to help users find tax forms, instructions, and publications in various formats. It also provides a VITA locator to help taxpayers find Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites. The board translates some pages into Spanish, though it cannot guarantee the accuracy of the Google translation application.

The board operates under the State of California and is part of the Government Operations Agency. It is located in California and serves all taxpayers within the state. The board's official website is ftb.ca.gov, and it provides a sitemap and accessibility certification for its online services.