Enroll in e-file program Tax professionals

How to enroll

1. Apply for the IRS Electronic Filing (e-file) Program. We will automatically receive your account information within 2 weeks after the IRS accepts you into their program.
2. Use your IRS-assigned Electronic Filer Identification Number (EFIN) to e-file with us.
3. Comply with the guidelines found in the FTB Pub. 1345, Handbook for Authorized e-file Providers.

How to e-file

Filing an e-file return is much like filing a paper return:

• Prepare your client's tax return or stand-alone electronic funds withdrawal (EFW) payment as you normally would
• Individual e-file only - Before you transmit client's return, your client must sign the applicable forms:
  • Form FTB 8453, California e-file Return Authorization for Individuals
  • Form FTB 8453 PMT, California Payment for Automatic Extension and Estimate Payment Authorization for Individuals
  • Form FTB 8879, California e-file Signature Authorization for Individuals form
  • Form FTB 8879 PMT, California Electronic Funds Withdrawal Payment Signature Authorization for Individuals and Fiduciaries form
  • Record the date we accepted the return or stand-alone EFW payment on the corresponding Form FTB 8453, Form FTB 8453 (PMT), Form FTB 8879, or Form FTB 8879 (PMT). Keep the form for 4 years from the return due date or for 4 years from the filing date, whichever is later.
• Transmit the returns or stand-alone EFW payments to the FTB
• Retrieve your acknowledgment (ACK) files. They're available within 24 to 48 hours. They tell you either:
  • We accepted the return or stand-alone EFW payment
  • We found an error
• Correct any errors and retransmit the return

Visit e-Signature Options for e-file to learn about electronic signature options.

Help with acknowledgment (ACK) files

When an error occurs in the initial processing of a return or stand-alone EFW payment, we will reject the return and provide information about the error in the ACK file.

This information includes the error, form or schedule impacted, and number of times the error happened (for multi-page forms and schedules).

If you're unable to resolve the error or the ACK file is missing, please contact your software provider for assistance.

Common errors with Individual e-file

Business Rule	Description	Tips to fix error
F540/NR/2EZ-170 F540N/NR/2EZ-180	Electronic Signature (PIN) taxpayer’s or Spouse's Prior Year AGI does not match FTB records.	Double check the taxpayer’s or Spouse's Prior Year AGI from last year's CA tax return or sign the e-file return using form FTB 8453/8453-OL.
F540/NR/2EZ-320 F540/NR/2EZ-330	Taxpayer SSN or Spouse SSN has been previously used on an e-filed return.	To avoid sending duplicate returns, do not retransmit an accepted California return when retransmitting a corrected federal return.
F540/NR/2EZ-220	FTB records indicate the Primary Taxpayer did not file a prior year individual income tax return and does not have a shared secret (Prior Year California Adjusted Gross Income) amount.	They may still e-file by signing a California e-file Return Authorization for Individuals, form (FTB 8453 or 8453-OL).

Help with e-file

We can help you with:

• Getting started with e-file
• e-file Program enrollment requirements
• Tracking down your acknowledgements
• Resolving errors
• Canceling electronic funds withdrawals (EFWs) tax payments
• Mandatory e-file questions
• General return and stand-alone EFW payment questions

e-Programs Customer Service

Phone

916-845-0353
Available weekdays:

• 8 AM to 5 PM (PT)
  Closed on state holidays

Online

e-file help