File by Mail

• 1). Obtain Form 540, California Resident Income Tax Return, from your local Post Office, government office or the State of California's Web site (See Resources for link).
  
  
• 2). Fill out the information requested on Form 540, including personal information, income information, dependent information and tax credit information, using the information on your tax forms, including W2s and 1099s. Use the instructions provided with Form 540 to guide you and assist you in filling out the form.
  
  
• 3). Sign and date your California State income tax return form, and if you do not owe tax, mail to:
  
  Franchise Tax Board
  Post Office Box 942840
  Sacramento, CA 94240-0002
  
  If you owe tax with your California State income tax, return mail to:
  
  Franchise Tax Board
  Post Office Box 942867
  Sacramento, CA 94267-0001
  
  

File Electronically

• 1). Log on to the California Tax Service Center Web site and choose the "Do-it-yourself-e-file" link. Choose from the list of online electronic filing services the service you wish to use and click on the appropriate Web site link.
  
  
• 2). Follow the instructions and prompts given by the online tax site you are using to file your tax return. Each site will walk you through the filing process, step by step, to make your tax return process as simple as possible.
  
  
• 3). Review your tax return once all of your information has been submitted. If all of the information on your tax return is correct, print a copy for your records and submit your return to the California Tax Service Center.