Welcome to the Franchise Tax Board Installment Agreement Assistance page.
You are currently on the Installment Agreement Web site. If you need assistance with your installment agreement application or have other questions about your account, please call the Personal Income Tax Collection Response and Resolution Section at (800) 689-4776. Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Frequently Asked Questions
- I don't meet the online installment agreement requirements. What can I do?
- I have a wage garnishment but I would like to make an installment agreement. What can I do?
- How can I decrease the interest and penalties charged on my balance due?
- What happens if I have not filed all required tax returns?
- How can I be sure that enough money is withheld from my paycheck for current taxes?
- Why am I asked to make my monthly payments through electronic funds transfer (EFT)?
- What happens if I have insufficient funds for the electronic funds transfer deduction?
- My bank account is located in another state. Can I still make payments using electronic funds transfer?
- Will the Franchise Tax Board file a lien against me if my installment agreement is approved?
- Once I send you my installment agreement request, how soon should I expect to hear from the Franchise Tax Board?
- What will happen to my future state tax refunds?
- Where can I get help if I am having problems paying all my debts?
- What will happen to my data if I cancel this online installment agreement before submitting the information?
- How many online requests can I submit?
1. I don't meet the online installment agreement requirements. What can I do?
You may still qualify for an installment agreement. Contact the Personal Income Tax Collection Response and Resolution Section at (800) 689-4776, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 6 p.m., or you may apply by mail.
2. I have a wage garnishment but would like to make an installment agreement. What can I do?
Your garnishment may be released if you would like an installment agreement using electronic funds transfer to pay the balance you owe. Contact the Personal Income Tax Collection Response and Resolution Section at (800) 689-4776, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.
3. How can I decrease the interest and penalties charged on my balance due?
You should make the largest monthly payment possible in order to limit the amount of interest you will have to pay. Interest and some penalties will continue to accrue until your balance is paid in full.
4. What happens if I have not filed all required tax returns?
We cannot approve your request for an installment agreement if all required tax returns are not filed.
5. How can I be sure that enough money is withheld from my paycheck for current taxes?
You can adjust your California withholding by completing Form DE 4 and your federal withholding by completing Form W-4. If you have questions or are unable to access the forms from the links below, please contact your employer.
| DE 4 | W-4 |
|---|---|
|
6. Why am I asked to make my monthly payments through electronic funds transfer (EFT)?
Electronic funds transfer is convenient, helps prevent installment agreement defaults, and saves processing costs.
7. What happens if I have insufficient funds for the electronic funds transfer deduction?
If there are not sufficient funds in your bank account to cover your payment, we will add a dishonored payment penalty to your balance and we will cancel your installment agreement. You will receive a Notice of Intent to Cancel, and we may require that you pay your account in full within 30 days.
8. My bank account is located in another state. Can I still make payments using electronic funds transfer?
Yes.
9. Will the Franchise Tax Board file a lien against me if my installment agreement is approved?
In most cases, we will not file a tax lien. If it is necessary to file a lien, we will notify you in advance.
10. Once I send you my installment agreement request, how soon should I expect to hear from the Franchise Tax Board?
You should receive an Acknowledgment Letter from the Franchise Tax Board within 30 days. The notice will show your monthly electronic funds transfer payment, the monthly bank transfer date, and provide you additional information regarding your installment agreement. If you do not hear from us within 30 days, you may check on the status of your request by contacting the Personal Income Tax Collection Response and Resolution Section at (800) 689-4776, Monday through Friday 7:30 am to 6 p.m.
11. What will happen to my future state tax refunds?
We will apply any state tax refund you are due to the total amount you owe. Tax refund amount applied to your balance owing will not take the place of a monthly payment.
12. Where can I get help if I am having problems paying all my debts?
Non-profit organizations, such as Consumer Credit Counseling Service, offer free or low-cost financial counseling for all kinds of debt problems.
13. What will happen to my information if I cancel the online application before submitting the information?
Any personal data you entered and did not submit will be destroyed. If you submitted a request, your personal information will be used for your installment agreement request only.
14. How many online requests can I submit?
Once you submit an online request, you must wait one year before you can enter a new request. If you need to make changes to your agreement you must contact the Personal Income Tax Collection Response and Resolution Section, Monday through Friday, at (800) 689-4776, between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.
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