Frequently Asked Questions

About ReadyReturn

1. What is ReadyReturn?
2. Why is the Franchise Tax Board offering ReadyReturn?
3. Who qualifies for ReadyReturn?
4. How can I find out if I qualify for ReadyReturn?
5. I meet the general qualifications, but you say that I'm not eligible. Why?
6. You say that I can’t use ReadyReturn if I had a special credit other than the Nonrefundable renter’s credit. What is a special credit?
7. How much does it cost to use ReadyReturn?
8. Where did you get the information you put on my return?
9. Your system states you don't have my final wage information. How long does it take to get it?
10. What do I do if I don't want to use ReadyReturn?
11. Am I required to use ReadyReturn?
12. The information on my return is wrong. What do I do?
13. Why do you ask for my email address?
14. What will you do with my email address once I provide it?
15. Can I be removed from your email list after I've registered my email address?
16. How long will you keep my email address?
17. You notified me that my ReadyReturn is available, but my wage information is not correct. Why is that?
18. I still have questions. What should I do?

1. What is ReadyReturn?

   ReadyReturn is a service the Franchise Tax Board designed to make tax return filing easier for taxpayers who have the simplest returns. We use information the state already has from the last return you filed and from your Form W-2 to pre-fill a California state tax return for qualifying taxpayers.

2. Why is the Franchise Tax Board offering ReadyReturn?

   Our goal is to make it easier for you to file your tax return. Since we already receive information directly from you and from employers, we can pre-fill that information on a tax return and do the math for you. All you will need to do is verify the information, update information that may have changed, add missing information, and file your return.

3. Who qualifies for ReadyReturn?

   To qualify for ReadyReturn you must have filed a 2008 California resident return with the following characteristics:

   • Single or head of household filing status
   • Income only from wages
   • No more than five dependents
   • No credits other than the nonrefundable renter's credit
   • Standard deduction

   In 2009, you must have had only one employer and earned less than $160,739 if single or $241,113 if head of household.

   Taxpayers who can be claimed as a dependent on another taxpayer's return qualify for ReadyReturn.

4. How can I find out if I qualify for ReadyReturn?

   We offer two ways for you to find out if you qualify:

   • Online – Go to ftb.ca.gov/ReadyReturn and enter your last name and social security number.
   • By phone – Call 800.338.0505. Select Personal Income Tax, and then select ReadyReturn.
     
5. I meet the general qualifications, but you say that I'm not eligible. Why?

   While we cannot give you a specific reason why you do not qualify, the following are the most common reasons why taxpayers are not eligible for ReadyReturn.

   On your 2008 tax return, our records indicate that you:

   • Filed a nonresident tax return.
   • Used a filing status other than single or head of household.
   • Claimed more than five dependents.
   • Claimed a tax credit other than the exemption or nonrefundable renter's credits.
   • Had income other than wages (e.g., interest, pension, annuities, capital gains, social security benefits).
   • Had military or federal employment wages.
   • Itemized your deductions.
   • Had other taxes (e.g., Schedule G-1, AMT, Use Tax, etc.)
   • Had withholding from the sale of real estate or a request for excess SDI.
   • Applied all or part of your refund to 2009.
   • Amended your 2008 return.

   Our current information shows:

   • We already received your tax return for 2009.
   • We received extension or estimated tax payments from you for 2009.
   • Your address of record is outside of California.
   • More than one employer reported wages for you in 2009.
   • The total wages reported was greater than $160,739 for single filers or $241,113 for head of household.
   • There is an error in your employer's information.
6. You say that I can’t use ReadyReturn if I had a special credit other than the Nonrefundable renter’s credit. What is a special credit?

   Special credits are legislatively approved to reduce your tax liability.  For a list of current credits, please see the 2009 credit chart.

7. How much does it cost to use ReadyReturn?

   We do not charge a fee for using ReadyReturn.

8. Where did you get the information you put on my return?
   
   • Your name and address came from our records.
   • Your filing status, exemptions, and number of dependents came from your 2008 California tax return.
   • Your income information came from the 2009 W-2 data your employer reported to the State of California.
9. Your system states you don't have my final wage information. How long does it take to get it?

   We begin updating our records on January 20, 2010. After that, we update our wage information every day. However, when we receive your individual information depends on when your employer provides it to the Employment Development Department (EDD).

   Your employer is required to provide you with your Form W-2 by January 31. Employers often provide this information to EDD around the same time they mail it to you.

   We generally receive about 50% of all taxpayer wage information by mid-February, with 90% of the information received by mid-March.

10. What do I do if I don't want to use ReadyReturn?

    If you are already logged into ReadyReturn, simply log out before submitting your return.

11. Am I required to use ReadyReturn?

    No. Using ReadyReturn is voluntary.

12. The information on my return is wrong. What do I do?

    We made every effort to make sure the information was correct. You can correct any errors using ReadyReturn online.

13. Why do you ask for my email address?

    We will ask for your email address if you are eligible for ReadyReturn but we have not received your final wage information yet. Providing your email address is voluntary.

    If you decide to submit your email address, you will receive a confirmation from ReadyReturn Services by the end of the next business day. After that, we will send an email from ReadyReturn Services when your return is ready or you are no longer eligible for ReadyReturn. We will also send you an update every two weeks if we have not received your final wage information yet.

14. What will you do with my email address once I provide it?

    We will only use your email address to notify you about your ReadyReturn status. We will not share your email address with any other business unit within the Franchise Tax Board or with any third party. For more information, please review the FTB Privacy Policy.

15. Can I be removed from your email list after I've registered my email address?

    Yes. If you no longer wish to receive emails about your ReadyReturn, send an email to ReadyReturnServices@ftb.ca.gov with "Remove" in the subject line. We will remove your email address from our files.

16. How long will you keep my email address?

    We will only keep your email until your final notification has been sent or until October 14, 2010, whichever comes first.

17. You notified me that my ReadyReturn is available, but my wage information is not correct. Why is that?

    After April 1, we allow all taxpayers with a pending ReadyReturn to participate. By this time, we generally receive the final wage information for most taxpayers, but not all. While we will continue to check for updated information, we ask that you please review your ReadyReturn carefully and make any needed corrections.
    

18. I still have questions. What should I do?
    
    • Call our Taxpayer Services Center:

      Telephone:	800.852.5711 for the United States.  916.845.6500 from outside the United States. Select Personal Income Tax, and then select option 6 to speak to a representative during business hours.
      TTY/TDD:	800.822.6268 for persons with hearing or speech impairments.

    • Email: ReadyReturn@ftb.ca.gov

      To protect your privacy, do not send your social security number by email!