Franchise Tax Board

CalFileWhile You Are Using CalFile

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  1. Where can I get help?
  2. Can I save my return and finish it later?
  3. Will I get to see my actual return before I file it?
  4. Where do I enter information from my form...?
  5. How do I claim the Child and Dependent Care Expenses Credit?
  6. Can I file form FTB 4803Web (Head of Household questionnaire) with CalFile?
  7. What do I do if I make a mistake?
  8. What do I do if I decide I don't want to e-file?
  9. What happens to my data when I log out?
  10. I can't read my complete return -- the numbers and letters are jumbled. Why?
  11. Can I save an electronic copy of my return?
  12. How do I sign my return?
  13. My return is open in a separate window, but I get an error message saying I must view my return before I submit it. Why?
  14. I tried to submit my return, but I got an error message. Did you receive my return?
  15. Can I submit my return if I can't view or print it?

More FAQs

  1. Where can I get help?

    If you have questions about what to enter in CalFile, click on the question mark icon Help if available. This will display instructions from our tax booklet.

    If you need more information than what is contained in the instructions, you can:

    • Refer to the 2007 Personal Income Tax Booklet.
    • Contact our Taxpayer Services Center:
      • From within the United States: (800) 852-5711
      • From outside the United States (not toll-free): (916) 845-6500

    Assistance for persons with disabilities: We comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Persons with hearing or speech impairments please call TTY/TDD (800) 822-6268.

    If you need technical assistance with CalFile, please contact us.

  2. Can I save my return and finish it later?

    No. We do not save any information after you log out or take more than 20 minutes to complete a Web page.

  3. Will I get to see my actual return before I file it?

    Yes. You will be able to view and print your completed return as a PDF before you e-file it. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader (version 6.0 or higher) or other PDF reading software to do this. You can download the latest version of Acrobat Reader for free from Adobe. You must view and print or save your return before you e-file it.

  4. Where do I enter information from my form?
    From which form? Where to enter the information
    W-2 On the Income page
    W-2G On the Income page
    1099-DIV You do not need to enter this information. It is included in your Federal adjusted gross income. Be sure to consider this income when you complete the "Build Your Return" page.
    1099-INT and/or 1099-G Generally, you will enter this on the Income page. However, if you provide your Federal adjusted gross income, you do not need to enter this information. It is included in that amount.
    1099-MISC, SSA-1099, RRB-1099, and/or RRB-1099R You do not need to enter this information. It is included in your Federal adjusted gross income. Be sure to consider this income when you complete the "Build Your Return" page.
    1099-R On the Income page

    You cannot use CalFile if you have any of the following federal forms:

    Form W-2C Corrected Wage and Tax Statement
    Form 1099-C Cancellation of Debt Statement
    Form 2106 Employee Business Expenses
    Form 4797 Sales of Business Property
    Form 4852 Substitute for Form W-2 and 1099R
    Form 4952 Investment Interest Expense Deduction
    Form 8396 Mortgage Interest Credit
    Form 8606 Nondeductible IRAs
    Schedule C (or C-EZ) Profit or Loss from Business (Net Profit from Business)
    Schedule D Capital Gains and Losses
    Schedule E Supplemental Income and Loss
    Schedule F Profit or Loss from Farming

  5. How do I claim the Child and Dependent Care Expenses Credit?

    To claim the Child and Dependent Care Expenses Credit you must:

    • Answer "Yes" to Question 5 on the "Build Your Return" page.
    • Follow the instructions on the Payments & Credits pages.
  6. Can I file form FTB 4803Web (Head of Household questionnaire) with CalFile?

    Yes. If you use the Head of Household filing status, we will provide the questions from form FTB 4803Web. Providing this information is optional, but it will enable us to validate your eligibility for this filing status without you later having to respond to an audit letter.

  7. What do I do if I make a mistake?

    If you make a mistake on a Web page before you click continue, delete the wrong information and enter the correct information. Use the update function if provided.

    If you find a mistake after you click continue, you will need to use the "Back" button at the bottom of each page to get to the Web page you need to change. You will then need to use the "Continue" button at the bottom of each page to get back to the Web page you were on and to complete your return.

    If you find an error after you e-file your return, you will need to complete an Amended Individual Income Tax Return (Form 540X).

    You cannot use CalFile to correct a mistake on a previously filed return.

  8. What do I do if I decide I don't want to e-file?

    You can exit CalFile at any time by clicking the "Log Out" link located at the bottom of each Web page. When you confirm that you want to exit, we will erase all of the information you entered. We recommend that you close your browser when you are done to ensure the highest level of security.

    If you decide you don't want to e-file once you've viewed your completed return, you may print it out and mail it to us or use it to complete a new paper return.

  9. What happens to my data when I log out?

    We erase all of your data once you log out. For that reason, we ask you to confirm that you want to log out before we completely log you out of CalFile.

  10. I can't read my complete return -- the numbers and letters are jumbled. Why?

    Generally, this is because you are using an earlier version of Adobe Acrobat Reader. You must use version 6.0 or higher.

    If you are using version 6.0 or higher, try these tips:

    • Refresh your screen.
    • Quit Acrobat Reader. Then click the "View Return" button again.
    • Print your return.
    • Make sure you have only one version of Adobe Acrobat or Acrobat Reader on your computer.
  11. Can I save an electronic copy of my return?

    Yes, you can save a copy of your final return for your records. Use the "Save" or "Save a Copy" feature of Acrobat Reader.

    Note: To protect your privacy, you should not save an electronic copy of your return on a public computer or a computer that other people can access.

  12. How do I sign my return?

    You must sign the paper copy of the California Online e-file Return Authorization for Individuals, (FTB 8453-OL), included in your final return and retain for your records. You must keep this form with your tax records for four years from the due date of your return or for four years from the date you filed your return, whichever is later.

    If you use a paid tax preparer, you cannot sign your return electronically. Both you and your preparer must sign the paper copy of the California e-file Return Authorization for Individuals (FTB 8453) included with your final return. You must keep this form with your tax records for four years from the due date of your return or for four years from the date you filed your return, whichever is later.

  13. My return is open in a separate window, but I get an error message saying I must view my return before I submit it. Why?

    This is generally because you went back from the "View, Sign & Submit Return" page. Each time you leave this page and make changes, you must view your return again to verify the changes you made. We recommend you close the window with your return before you go back and make any changes.

  14. I tried to submit my return, but I got an error message. Did you receive my return?

    Generally, no. If you did not receive a page with a Declaration Control Number (DCN), we did not receive your return.

    Try to log in to CalFile again. If you receive a message that says your Social Security Number has already been used on a previously accepted return, please contact our Taxpayer Services Center:

    • From within the United States: (800) 852-5711
    • From outside the United States (not toll-free): (916) 845-6500

    Assistance for persons with disabilities: We comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Persons with hearing or speech impairments please call TTY/TDD (800) 822-6268.

  15. Can I submit my return if I can't view or print it?

    No. You must review your return and print or save a copy of it for your records before you e-file it.