CA Tax Filing Season Opens

The FTB is now accepting 2018 state tax returns. In a January 22 press release, FTB encouraged taxpayers to discuss individual tax situations with a professional tax preparer to help understand the impact of federal tax law changes and relief after natural disasters.

The press release also called attention to the following:

Federal Tax Law Changes

• TCJA tax reforms will not affect how much Californians pay in state income tax for 2018 or the deductions that can be claimed on a state tax return.
• Taxpayers who take advantage of the new, higher standard deduction on their federal return will still be able to claim itemized deductions on their state return.

• Disaster loss rules apply to victims in governor-declared or presidentially-declared disaster areas.
• Taxpayers may claim a disaster loss in one of two ways: in the tax year that the disaster occurred, when filing a 2018 tax return this year; or in the tax year before the disaster occurred, by filing either an amended or original 2017 tax return.
• FTB can more quickly issue a refund for eligible losses claimed in the prior tax year.
• FTB will provide replacement state tax documents for free upon request for those who lost them as a result of a disaster.

• CalEITC is now available to those age 18 and over as long as they meet income limits and other requirements.
• Families earning $24,950 or less may be eligible for the credit if they have qualifying children.
• People earning $16,750 or less may be eligible if they do not have children.

• Walk-in service is available at five regional FTB field offices, in Los Angeles, Oakland, Sacramento, San Diego, and Santa Ana.