ARTICLE 1. Payment of Tax by All Persons [19001. - 19011.5.]

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC 1.

in effect

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19001. Section 19001.

Except as provided by Article 2 (commencing with Section 19021), the tax imposed under Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001) and Part 11 (commencing with Section 23001) shall be paid at the time and place fixed for filing the return (determined without regard to any extension of time for filing the return).

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19002. Section 19002.

(a) The amount withheld under Article 5 (commencing with Section 18661) of Chapter 2 or Section 13020 of the Unemployment Insurance Code during any calendar year shall be allowed to the recipient of the income as a credit against the tax for the taxable year with respect to which the amount was withheld. (b) In the case of a partnership, limited liability company classified as a partnership for California income tax purposes, or S corporation filing a group return as agent for electing nonresident partners or shareholders in accordance with Section 18535, for purposes of this part, the amount withheld under Article 5 (commencing with Section 18661) of Chapter 2 during any taxable year shall be allowed as a credit attributable to the partnership, limited liability company, or S corporation on the group return for the taxable year with respect to which that amount was withheld. (c) (1) For purposes of Section 19306, any tax actually deducted and withheld during any calendar year under Article 5 (commencing with Section 18661) of Chapter 2 or Section 13020 of the Unemployment Insurance Code shall, in respect of the recipient of the income, be deemed to have been paid on the last day prescribed for filing the return under Article 1 (commencing with Section 18501) or Article 2 (commencing with Section 18601) of Chapter 2 (without regard to any extension of time for filing the return), with respect to which the tax is allowable as a credit under subdivision (a) or (b). (2) For purposes of Sections 19306 and 19340, any amount paid as estimated tax under Section 19025 or 19136 of this code or Section 13043 of the Unemployment Insurance Code for any taxable year shall be deemed to have been paid on the last day prescribed for filing the return under Article 1 (commencing with Section 18501) or Article 2 (commencing with Section 18601) of Chapter 2 (without regard to any extension of time for filing the return). (d) Notwithstanding subdivision (b) or (c), for purposes of Section 19306 with respect to any tax deducted and withheld under Article 5 (commencing with Section 18661) of Chapter 2 or Section 13020 of the Unemployment Insurance Code both of the following shall apply: (1) If a return is filed before the due date for that return, the return shall be considered filed on the due date. (2) If a tax with respect to an amount paid is paid before the due date for that return, the tax shall be considered paid on the due date. (e) If any overpayment of income tax is claimed as a credit against estimated tax for the succeeding taxable year, that amount shall be considered as a payment of estimated tax in accordance with Section 19007, for the succeeding taxable year, and no claim for credit or refund of the overpayment shall be allowed for the taxable year in which the overpayment arises. (f) In the case of a nonresident alien electing to file in a group return pursuant to Section 18537, the amount withheld under Article 5 (commencing with Section 18661) of Chapter 2 or Section 13020 of the Unemployment Insurance Code during any calendar year shall be allowed to the recipient of the income as a credit against the tax for the taxable year with respect to which the amount was withheld.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19004. Section 19004.

A taxpayer may elect to pay the tax prior to the date prescribed for its payment.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19005. Section 19005.

The tax, and any interest and penalties, shall be paid to the Franchise Tax Board. Except as provided in Section 19011 with respect to an electronic funds transfer, remittances may be in the form of a check, payable in United States funds to the Franchise Tax Board, at the time and in the manner as the Franchise Tax Board may prescribe or, notwithstanding Title 1.3 (commencing with Section 1747) of Part 4 of Title 3 of the Civil Code, in the form of a credit card or other payment device as defined in Chapter 2.6 (commencing with Section 6160) of the Government Code, at the time and in the manner that the Franchise Tax Board may prescribe. If a check or credit card remittance is not paid by the bank on which it is drawn, the taxpayer tendering the check or credit card remittance remains liable for the payment of the tax, and all interest and penalties, as if the check or credit card remittance had not been tendered.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19006. Section 19006.

(a) The spouse who controls the disposition of or who receives or spends community income as well as the spouse who is taxable on the income is liable for the payment of the taxes imposed by Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001) on that income. (b) Whenever a joint return is filed by spouses, the liability for the tax on the aggregate income is joint and several. The liability may be revised by a court in a proceeding for dissolution of the marriage or for termination of the registered domestic partnership of the spouses, provided: (1) The order revising tax liability may not relieve a spouse of tax liability on income earned by or subject to the exclusive management and control of the spouse. The liability of the spouse for the tax, penalties, and interest due for the taxable year shall be in the same ratio to total tax, penalties, and interest due for the taxable year as the income earned by or subject to the management and control of the spouse is to total gross income reportable on the return. (2) The order revising tax liability: (A) Must separately state the income tax liabilities for the taxable years for which revision of tax liability is granted. (B) Shall not revise a tax liability that has been fully paid prior to the effective date of the order; however, any unpaid amount may be revised. (C) Shall become effective when the Franchise Tax Board is served with or acknowledges receipt of the order. (D) Shall not be effective if the gross income reportable on the return exceeds one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) or the amount of tax liability the spouse is relieved of exceeds seven thousand five hundred dollars ($7,500), unless a tax revision clearance certificate is obtained from the Franchise Tax Board and filed with the court. (c) Notwithstanding subdivisions (a) and (b), whenever a joint return is filed by spouses and the tax liability is not fully paid, that liability, including interest and penalties, may be revised by the Franchise Tax Board as to one spouse. (1) However, the liability shall not be revised: (A) To relieve a spouse of tax liability on income earned by or subject to the exclusive management and control of the spouse. The liability of the spouse for the tax, penalties, and interest due for the taxable year shall be in the same ratio to total tax, penalties, and interest due for the taxable year as the income earned by or subject to the management and control of the spouse is to total gross income reportable on the return. (B) To relieve a spouse of liability below the amount actually paid on the liability prior to the granting of relief, including credit from any other taxable year available for application to the liability. (2) The liability may be revised only if the spouse whose liability is to be revised establishes that he or she did not know of, and had no reason to know of, the nonpayment at the time the return was filed. For purposes of this paragraph, “reason to know” means whether or not a reasonably prudent person would have had reason to know of the nonpayment. (3) For purposes of this section, the determination of the spouse to whom items of gross income are attributable shall be made without regard to community property laws. (4) The determination of the Franchise Tax Board as to whether the liability is to be revised as to one spouse shall be made not less than 30 days after notification of the other spouse and shall be based upon whether, under all of the facts and circumstances surrounding the nonpayment, it would be inequitable to hold the spouse requesting revision liable for the nonpayment. Any action taken under this section shall be treated as though it were action on a protest taken under Section 19044 and shall become final upon the expiration of 30 days from the date that notice of the action is mailed to both spouses, unless, within that 30-day period, one or both spouses appeal the determination to the board as provided in Section 19045. (5) This subdivision shall apply to all taxable years subject to the provisions of this part, but shall not apply to any taxable year which has been closed by a statute of limitations, res judicata, or otherwise.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19007. Section 19007.

Payment of the estimated tax, or any installment thereof, shall be considered payment on account of the taxes imposed under Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001) or Part 11 (commencing with Section 23001) for the taxable year.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19008. Section 19008.

(a) The Franchise Tax Board may, in cases of financial hardship, enter into installment payment agreements with any taxpayer under which that taxpayer is allowed to make payment of any liability imposed or collected under Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001), Part 11 (commencing with Section 23001), or this part, including any additions to tax, interest, penalties, fees, and any other amounts relating to the imposed liability, in installment payments, pursuant to the agreement, if the Franchise Tax Board determines that the agreement will facilitate full or partial collection of the liability. (b) In the case of a liability of an individual under Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001) or this part, the Franchise Tax Board shall enter into an agreement to accept the full payment of the liability in installments if, as of the date the individual offers to enter into the agreement, all of the following apply: (1) The aggregate amount of the liability (determined without regard to interest, penalties, additions to the tax, and additional amounts) does not exceed twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000). (2) The taxpayer (and, if the liability relates to a joint return, the taxpayer’s spouse) has not during any of the preceding five taxable years done any of the following: (A) Failed to file any return of liability imposed under Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001) or this part. (B) Failed to satisfy any term of an installment agreement under this section for payment of any liability imposed by Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001) or this part. (3) The Franchise Tax Board determines that the taxpayer is financially unable to pay the liability in full when due, and the taxpayer submits any information as the Franchise Tax Board may require to make this determination. (4) The agreement requires full payment of the liability within five years. (5) The taxpayer agrees to comply with the provisions of this part and Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001) for the period the agreement is in effect. (c) (1) (A) Failure by a taxpayer to comply fully with the terms of the installment payment agreement shall render the agreement null and void, unless the Franchise Tax Board determines that the failure was due to a reasonable cause, and the total amount of tax, interest, and all penalties shall be immediately due and payable. Except in any case where the Franchise Tax Board finds collection of the tax to which an installment payment agreement relates to be in jeopardy, or there is a mutual consent to terminate, alter, or modify the agreement, the agreement shall not be considered null and void, or otherwise terminated, unless both of the following occur: (i) A notice of termination is provided to the taxpayer not later than 30 days before the date of termination. (ii) The notice includes an explanation of why the Franchise Tax Board intends to terminate the agreement. (B) This paragraph shall apply only to agreements entered into before January 1, 2024. (2) (A) (i) The Franchise Tax Board may alter, modify, or terminate an agreement entered into under this section if any of the following apply: (I) Information that the taxpayer provided to the Franchise Tax Board before the date the agreement was entered into was inaccurate or incomplete. (II) The Franchise Tax Board determines that the collection of any liability to which an agreement under this section relates is in jeopardy. (III) The Franchise Tax Board determines that the financial condition of a taxpayer with whom the Franchise Tax Board has entered into an agreement has significantly changed. (IV) The taxpayer fails to make an installment payment at the time the installment payment is due under the agreement. (V) The taxpayer fails to file a required tax return under this part or pay any other liability at the time that the liability is due. (VI) The taxpayer fails to provide a financial condition update upon the Franchise Tax Board’s request. (ii) The Franchise Tax Board may modify or alter an agreement under this section to add a liability that the taxpayer fails to pay at the time that the liability is due. (iii) If a taxpayer is currently in an installment agreement under subdivision (a) or (b), the Franchise Tax Board may require financial hardship to alter or modify the installment agreement. (iv) (I) Except as provided in subclause (II), the Franchise Tax Board shall not alter, modify, or terminate any agreement under this paragraph unless both of the following occur: (ia) A notice of the alteration, modification, or termination is provided to the taxpayer not later than 30 days before the date of that action. (ib) The notice includes an explanation of the rationale of the Franchise Tax Board for altering, modifying, or terminating the agreement. (II) In any case where the Franchise Tax Board finds collection of the liability to which an installment payment agreement relates to be in jeopardy, the Franchise Tax Board may terminate the installment agreement and issue demand for immediate payment of the liability or the deficiency declared to be in jeopardy. (B) This paragraph shall apply only to agreements entered into on or after January 1, 2024. (d) No levy may be issued on the property or rights to property of any person with respect to any unpaid liability: (1) During the period that an offer by the taxpayer for an installment agreement under this section for payment of the unpaid liability is pending with the Franchise Tax Board. (2) If the offer is rejected by the Franchise Tax Board, during the 30 days thereafter and, if a request for review of the rejection is filed within the 30 days, during the period that the review is pending. (3) During the period that the installment agreement for payment of the unpaid liability is in effect. (4) If the agreement is terminated by the Franchise Tax Board, during the 30 days thereafter (and, if a request for review of the termination is filed within the 30 days, during the period that the review is pending). (5) This subdivision shall not apply with respect to any of the following: (A) Any unpaid liability if either of the following occurs: (i) The taxpayer files a written notice with the Franchise Tax Board that waives the restriction imposed by this subdivision on levy with respect to the liability. (ii) The Franchise Tax Board finds that the collection of that liability is in jeopardy. (B) Any levy that was first issued before the date that the applicable proceeding under this subdivision commenced. (C) At the discretion of the Franchise Tax Board, any unpaid liability for which the taxpayer makes an offer of an installment agreement subsequent to a rejection of an offer of an installment agreement with respect to that unpaid liability (or to any review thereof). (D) The period of limitation under Section 19371 shall be suspended for the period during which the Franchise Tax Board is prohibited under this subdivision from making a levy. (e) The Taxpayers’ Rights Advocate shall establish procedures for an independent departmental administrative review for the rejection of the offer of an installment payment and for installment payment agreements that are rendered null and void, or otherwise terminated under this section, for taxpayers that request that review. This administrative review shall not be subject to Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 11400) of Part 1 of Division 3 of the Government Code. Unless review is requested by the taxpayer within 30 days of the date of rejection of the offer of an installment agreement or termination of the installment agreement, this administrative review shall not stay collection of the liability to which the installment payment agreement relates. (f) The Franchise Tax Board shall review a representative sample of existing installment agreements entered into under this section at least once every two years to ensure taxpayers are in compliance with the terms of the agreement. (g) (1) The Franchise Tax Board may prescribe regulations as necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of this section. (2) The Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code) shall not apply to any standard, criterion, procedure, determination, rule, notice, guideline, or any other guidance established or issued by the Franchise Tax Board pursuant to this section.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19009. Section 19009.

(a) Whenever any person or employer who is required to collect, account for, and pay over any tax— (1) At the time and in the manner prescribed by law or regulations (A) fails to collect, truthfully account for, or pay over the tax, or (B) fails to make deposits, payments, or returns of the tax, and (2) Is notified, by notice delivered in hand or by registered mail of the failure, then all the requirements of subdivision (b) shall be complied with. In the case of a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or trust, notice to an officer, partner, manager, member, or trustee, shall, for purposes of this section, be deemed to be sufficient notice to the corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or trust and to all officers, partners, managers, members, trustees, and employees thereof. (b) Any person or employer who is required to collect, account for, and pay over any tax imposed by Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001) or Part 11 (commencing with Section 23001), if notice has been delivered to that person or employer in accordance with subdivision (a), shall collect the taxes, which become collectible after delivery of the notice, shall (not later than the end of the second banking day after any amount of the taxes is collected) deposit that amount in a separate account in a bank located within the limits of this state, and shall keep the amount of those taxes in that account until payment over to the Franchise Tax Board. The account shall be designated as a special fund in trust for the Franchise Tax Board, payable to the Franchise Tax Board by that person or employer as trustee. (c) Whenever the Franchise Tax Board is satisfied, with respect to any notification made under subdivision (a), that all requirements of law and regulations with respect to the taxes, will henceforth be complied with, it may cancel the notification. The cancellation shall take effect at the time as is specified in the notice of the cancellation.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19010. Section 19010.

Unless otherwise provided, any provision of this part that relates to the assessment and collection of tax shall also apply to the assessment and collection of estimated tax.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19011. Section 19011.

(a) All payments required under this part, regardless of the taxable year to which the payments apply shall be remitted to the Franchise Tax Board by electronic funds transfer pursuant to Division 11 (commencing with Section 11101) of the Commercial Code, once any of the following conditions are met: (1) With respect to any corporation, any installment payment of estimated tax made pursuant to Section 19025 or the payment made pursuant to Section 18604 with regard to an extension of time to file exceeds fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) in any taxable year beginning on or after January 1, 1991, or exceeds twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) in any taxable year beginning on or after January 1, 1995. (2) With respect to any corporation, the total tax liability exceeds two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) in any taxable year beginning on or after January 1, 1991, or exceeds eighty thousand dollars ($80,000) in any taxable year beginning on or after January 1, 1995. For purposes of this section, total tax liability shall be the total tax liability as shown on the original return, after any adjustment made pursuant to Section 19051. (3) A taxpayer submits a request to the Franchise Tax Board and is granted permission to make electronic funds transfers. (b) A taxpayer required to remit payments to the Franchise Tax Board by electronic funds transfer may elect to discontinue making payments where the threshold requirements set forth in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (a) were not met for the preceding taxable year. The election shall be made in a form and manner prescribed by the Franchise Tax Board. (c) Any taxpayer required to remit payment by electronic funds transfer pursuant to this section who makes payment by other means shall pay a penalty of 10 percent of the amount paid, unless it is shown that the failure to make payment as required was for reasonable cause and was not the result of willful neglect. (d) Any taxpayer required to remit payments by electronic funds transfer pursuant to this section may request a waiver of those requirements from the Franchise Tax Board. The Franchise Tax Board may grant a waiver only if it determines that the particular amounts paid in excess of the threshold amounts established in this section were not representative of the taxpayer’s tax liability. If a taxpayer is granted a waiver, subsequent remittances by electronic funds transfer shall be required only on those terms set forth in the waiver. (e) The Franchise Tax Board shall accept remittances by electronic funds transfer pursuant to this section no later than January 1, 1993. Electronic funds transfer procedures, in addition to those described in subdivision (f), shall be as prescribed by the Franchise Tax Board. Payment is deemed complete on the date the electronic funds transfer is initiated, if settlement to the state’s demand account occurs on or before the banking day following the date the transfer is initiated. If settlement to the state’s demand account does not occur on or before the banking day following the date the transfer is initiated, payment is deemed to occur on the date settlement occurs. (f) For purposes of this section: (1) “Electronic funds transfer” means any transfer of funds, other than a transaction originated by check, draft, or similar paper instrument, that is initiated through an electronic terminal, telephonic instrument, or computer or magnetic tape, so as to order, instruct, or authorize a financial institution to debit or credit an account. Electronic funds transfer shall be accomplished by an automated clearinghouse debit, automated clearinghouse credit, a Federal Reserve Wire Transfer (Fedwire), or by an international funds transfer. (2) “Automated clearinghouse” means any federal reserve bank, or an organization established by agreement with the National Automated Clearing House Association, that operates as a clearinghouse for transmitting or receiving entries between banks or bank accounts and that authorizes an electronic transfer of funds between those banks or bank accounts. (3) “Automated clearinghouse debit” means a transaction in which any department of the state, through its designated depository bank, originates an automated clearinghouse transaction debiting the taxpayer’s bank account and crediting the state’s bank account for the amount of tax. Banking costs incurred for the automated clearinghouse debit transaction by the taxpayer shall be paid by the state. (4) “Automated clearinghouse credit” means an automated clearinghouse transaction in which the taxpayer, through its own bank, originates an entry crediting the state’s bank account and debiting its own bank account. Banking costs incurred by the state for the automated clearinghouse credit transaction may be charged to the taxpayer. (5) “Fedwire” means any transaction originated by the taxpayer and utilizing the national electronic payment system to transfer funds through federal reserve banks, pursuant to which the taxpayer debits its own bank account and credits the state’s bank account. Electronic funds transfers may be made by Fedwire only if prior approval is obtained from the Franchise Tax Board and the taxpayer is unable, for reasonable cause, to make payments pursuant to paragraph (3) or (4). Banking costs charged to the taxpayer and to the state may be charged to the taxpayer. (6) “International funds transfer” means any transaction originated by the taxpayer and utilizing the international electronic payment system to transfer funds, pursuant to which the taxpayer debits its own bank account and credits the state’s bank account. (7) In determining whether a payment or total tax liability exceeds the amounts established in subdivision (a), the income of all taxpayers whose income derived from, or attributable to, sources within this state is required to be determined by a combined report shall be aggregated and the total aggregate amount shall be considered to be the income of a single taxpayer for purposes of determining the payment or total tax liability of a single taxpayer.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19011.5. Section 19011.5.

(a) All payments required by an individual under this part, regardless of the taxable year to which the payments apply, made on or after January 1, 2009, shall be electronically remitted to the Franchise Tax Board in the form and manner prescribed by the Franchise Tax Board, once any of the following conditions are met by an individual: (1) Any installment payment of estimated tax made pursuant to this part in excess of twenty thousand dollars ($20,000), or any payment made pursuant to Section 18567 with regard to an extension of time to file that exceeds twenty thousand dollars ($20,000), for any taxable year beginning on or after January 1, 2009. (2) The total tax liability exceeds eighty thousand dollars ($80,000) in any taxable year beginning on or after January 1, 2009. For purposes of this section, total tax liability shall be the total tax liability as shown on the original return, after any adjustment made pursuant to Section 19051. (b) A taxpayer required to electronically remit payment to the Franchise Tax Board pursuant to this section may elect to discontinue making payments electronically where the threshold requirements set forth in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (a) were not met for the preceding taxable year. The election shall be made in a form and manner prescribed by the Franchise Tax Board. (c) Any taxpayer required to electronically remit payment pursuant to this section who makes payment by other means shall pay a penalty of 1 percent of the amount paid, unless it is shown that the failure to make payment as required was for reasonable cause and was not the result of willful neglect. (d) Any taxpayer required to electronically remit payments pursuant to this section may request a waiver of those requirements from the Franchise Tax Board. The Franchise Tax Board may grant a waiver only if it determines that the particular amounts paid in excess of the threshold amounts established in this section were not representative of the taxpayer’s tax liability. If the Franchise Tax Board grants a waiver to a taxpayer, the waiver shall be in writing, and subsequent electronic remittances shall be required only on those terms set forth in the written waiver. (e) For purposes of this section, Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code shall not apply to any standard, criterion, procedure, determination, rule, notice, or guideline established or issued by the Franchise Tax Board pursuant to subdivision (a). (f) For purposes of this section, both of the following shall apply: (1) “Electronically remit” means to send payment through use of any of the electronic payment applications provided by the Franchise Tax Board, including, but not limited to, a pay by phone option, when made available by the Franchise Tax Board. (2) “Pay by phone” means a method that allows a taxpayer to authorize a transfer of funds from a financial institution using telephonic technology.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026