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E-filing information for California corporate returns

Electronic filing mandate

For taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2014, California requires any business entity that files an original or amended tax return via tax preparation software to electronically file unless you obtain a waiver for the following reasons.
  • Technology constraints - the inability of the tax preparation software used by a taxpayer to electronically file the return due to the inadequacy of the software or the complex nature of the return,
  • Where compliance would result in undue financial burden, or
  • Circumstances that constitute reasonable cause and not willful neglect.
Form 541 is not part of the business efile mandate law
if
 you file it with federal Form 1120-SF Settlement Funds. You may file this return on paper.

Returns supported for electronic filing

You can electronically file the following return types:
  • C Corporation
  • S Corporation
  • Consolidated / Combined (including QSSS)
  • Amended
  • Estimates (with return or extension)
  • Short year
  • Extension
  • Homeowner Association (Form 199)
  • Settlement Fund (filed on Form 541)
  • Single-member LLC (Form 568)
  • Superseded returns or extensions (on or before due date)

Returns not supported for electronic filing

You cannot electronically file the following return types:
  • Composite returns (Form 540NR)
  • Withholding payments (Form 592)*
*The only way you can file withholding Form 592 is online directly with the Franchise Tax Board.

Signature requirements for electronic filing

You must complete and sign Form 8453-C before you electronically file the return. Enter the date the authorized officer signs the form on the CAELF screen. Do not mail Form 8453-C. The preparer retains the original forms for three years and must have them available if California requests them.

Resubmitting returns

If you need to make a change to an electronically filed return that California has already accepted, you can file a superseded return on or before the due date, including extension, if applicable. Use the
Superseding return
 field on the CAGen screen. If it is after the due date, you can electronically file an amended return on Form 100X.
If California rejects the return, you may make the changes, correct the rejection and resubmit. If the return can be retransmitted electronically, you must file and have California accept it by the return due date or ten calendar days after you initially received the rejected acknowledgement, whichever is later.
If you cannot retransmit the rejected return electronically, you must file a paper return by the return due date or 10 calendar days after you received the rejected acknowledgement, whichever is later. You should include an explanation of why you are filing the return late and a copy of the rejection.

Attachments

If the federal return is not supported for electronic filing by the IRS, you can still file the California return electronically. UltraTax CS will attach the federal return as a PDF.
California allows you to attach PDF documents to the electronic file and does not have specific naming conventions for the files you attach.

Payment methods

California allows electronic funds withdrawal (direct debit), electronic funds transfer (EFT) check or money order (with Form 3586), online credit card payments for balance due returns, estimates and extensions. Partial payments are allowed. California will use the bank information you enter on the federal Bank screen. If you have different bank information for California, use CABank screen in the General folder.
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