For Immediate Release

January 7, 2026

The 2026 tax filing season begins in California

Sacramento – Today, the California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) launched the 2026 tax filing season with advice for taxpayers to identify scams, claim tax credits, use online tools, access disaster relief and more. And a reminder: To avoid penalties, be sure to pay any taxes owed by April 15.

“Filing your taxes early can help ensure you receive the full value of the tax credits you’ve earned—support that can make a real difference for working families,” said State Controller and FTB Chair Malia M. Cohen. “At the same time, I urge taxpayers to protect themselves by staying alert to tax-season scams designed to steal personal information or refunds.”

Protect yourself from scams

Scammers may pose as IRS or FTB employees to deceive taxpayers into sending money or sharing personal information. Common scams include texts, emails, calls, fake websites, and fraudulent mail.

To protect yourself:

• Do not reply to or click links in suspicious messages.
• If you are unsure, contact FTB directly to verify the request. For suspicious letters, call FTB at 800-852-5711 or visit the Notices and letters page for more information. Also, visit the Text messaging page to see when and what texts FTB sends.

Cash back credits

The California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) is here to support hardworking Californians with low incomes. If you qualify, you could receive up to $3,756 in cash back or reduce your tax burden. Additionally, CalEITC may open the door for you to access other benefits, such as the Young Child Tax Credit (YCTC) and the Foster Youth Tax Credit (FYTC). To find out if you qualify for CalEITC or related tax credits, visit the eligibility and credit information page.

Find your answers online

For faster service, take advantage of FTB's 24/7 online self-service options. To e-file your California tax return, visit CalFile, which allows most Californians to e-file their state tax return for free.

If you need free tax assistance, you can find a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) location at ftb.ca.gov/vita. Additionally, taxpayers can use MyFTB to view their tax documents, check their balances, send secure messages to FTB staff, and more. For additional free tax filing options, visit ftb.ca.gov/efile.

FTB offers several payment options. You can pay your taxes with your checking or savings account using Web Pay, by credit card (fees apply), or set up a payment plan if you qualify (fees apply). Other features allow you to check your refund status, determine whether you should file, select the appropriate form, and view processing and wait times.

Tax relief for disasters

If you have suffered unreimbursed losses from a disaster in an area declared by the President or Governor, you can deduct those losses in the taxable year the disaster occurred, or in the taxable year immediately before the disaster occurred. This allows taxpayers flexibility to choose the year that may offer the best financial benefit. Disaster victims can obtain free copies of lost or damaged tax returns by using Form FTB 3516 and writing the disaster's name in blue or black ink at the top of the request. For a list of all declared disasters, visit the Disaster loss deduction page.

Last updated: 02/19/2026 The Franchise Tax Board administers two of California’s major tax programs: Personal Income Tax and the Corporation Tax. We also administer other non tax programs and delinquent debt collection functions, including delinquent vehicle registration debt collections on behalf of the Department of Motor Vehicles, and court–ordered debt. Annually, our tax programs collect more than 75 percent of the state’s general fund. For more information on other taxes and fees in California, visit: taxes.ca.gov.

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Sacramento, CA 95812-1468