How to Pay Taxes Owed to the State of California

How to Pay Taxes Owed to the State of California
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Paying taxes owed to the state of California can be completed either online, in person, by mail or by telephone. Both personal and business taxes are paid to the state Franchise Tax Board. Payment arrangements can be made for those who are unable to pay the full amount of taxes owed on time.

Pay the entire amount you owe on the state of California Tax Board website using your checking or savings account. You can choose the date that your account will be charged up to one year in advance. This option is not available for business taxes.

Use your credit card to make a payment online by visiting Officialpayments.com. You can also pay by phone by calling 800-272-9829. You will also be charged a 2.5 percent percent convenience fee for this service, and tour card will be charged the day you make the payment. Business payments can be made by credit card after the Franchise Tax Board receives an Authorization Agreement for Electronic Funds Transfer. (see Resources).

Complete the form and mail it to:

Franchise Tax Board Attn: EFT Unit PO Box 942857 Sacramento, CA 94257-0501

Visit a Western Union location near you to make your payment. Tell Western Union the payment is to go to the California Franchise Tax Board. The city code must be listed as Franchise Tax Board, CA. The state code is CA. Include your full name, telephone number, address, Social Security number and the year you are paying for. Keep the control number you are provided for your records. You can also make a payment on the Western Union website or by calling toll-free 800-238-5772. This option is not available for business tax payments.

Send check or money order payments to:

Franchise Tax Board PO Box 942867 Sacramento, CA 94267-0001

Make it payable to the Franchise Tax Board. If paying personal taxes, write your Social Security number and tax year you are paying for on the payment. If paying for business taxes write your tax account number and the year for which you are paying on the check or money order.

Pay in person at your local Franchise Tax Board field office. The Franchise Tax Board has a list of the field offices online.

Fulfill your tax payments by way of a registered warrant or IOU if you have received one from the state. An IOU is a promise to pay issued by the state of California when funds are to too low to pay people and businesses money that is owed to them. To use an IOU, sign the back and write "Pay to the Order of Franchise Tax Board." Include your tax voucher you received and mail it to:

California Franchise Tax Board 915 Capitol Mall Attn: Registered Warrant Desk Sacramento, CA 95814

Call the California Franchise Tax Board to set up an installment agreement for business and personal taxes. Personal installment agreements can also be applied for on the Franchise Tax Board website. There is a processing fee for both personal and business installment agreements.