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July 12, 2025

How To: Make CA Tax Payments Online

These instructions outline how to make an individual tax payment online through the California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) website.

Here’s what we’ll cover

  • What You’ll Need
  • Step 1: Enter Payment Details
  • Step 2: Review and Complete Payment

If you are well prepared, the entire process should take no more than 5 minutes.

What You’ll Need

Payment information

  • Reason for payment: balance due, estimated tax, amended return, etc
  • Tax period: the year your payment will be applied to
  • Tax form: the form or tax type your payment will be applied to

Personal details

  • Tax ID # (SSN)
  • Legal Name
  • Address

Payment details

  • Payment amount
  • Payment date
  • Bank routing and account numbers
  • Bank account type (checking or savings)

Step 1: Enter Payment Details

Navigate to ftb.ca.gov/pay and select the type of payment you would like to make

In this example, we will be making a tax payment from a bank account

Select “Use Web Pay Personal”, and verify your identity by entering the following details:

  • Social Security Number
  • Last Name

Select “continue” and enter the following personal information:

  • Legal Name
  • Address

Select “continue” and select a payment type:

  • Estimated Tax Payment. Select this quarterly payment type when you do not have tax withheld or not enough tax withheld from wages or income as you earn it (Form 540-ES). For more information, see estimated tax payments.
  • Bill Payment. Select this payment type to:

    - Pay a bill or notice.
    - Make a payment on your existing balance due.
    - Pay a dishonored payment penalty.
    - Pay the mandatory e-Pay penalty.
  • Tax Return Payment. Select this payment type when you:

    - File a current or prior year tax return with a balance due (Form 540, 540A, 540 2EZ, or 540NR)
    - e-file and have a Payment Voucher for Individual e-filed Returns (Form 3582)
  • Amended Tax Return Payment. Select this payment type when you file a current or prior year amended tax return with a balance due.
  • Extension Payment (Form 3519). Select this payment type when you:

    - Owe a balance due on your tax return due by April 15th, and
    - Plan to file your tax return by the extended due date of October 15th.
    If the 15th falls on a non-banking day (weekend day or a banking holiday), your payment is due on the next business day following the non-banking day.

    Note:
    This does not extend the time for payment of tax; the full amount of tax must be paid by the original due date.
  • Notice of Proposed Assessment (NPA) or Form 3834 Payment. Select this payment type to:

    - Pay a Notice of Proposed Assessment.
    - Make a payment for a balance due calculated on Form 3834.

    Note: These payments will be reflected on your account as a NPA Payment.
  • Pending Audit Tax Deposit Payment (Form 3576). Select this payment type if you are making a payment on a pending tax assessment. You will be asked the source of the pending tax assessment:

    - Payment details (amount & date, up to one year in advance)
    - Bank account details (routing & account number, type of account)

Step 2: Review and Complete Payment

Review the summary of your payment information, and make any necessary changes.

It is essential that the following information is correct:

  • Tax Year for Payment
  • Payment Amount
  • Bank Routing & Account Numbers
  • Sign electronically by entering your full name and Tax ID (SSN or ITIN)