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Where to mail your California state tax return

Mailing your California Form 540 depends on your situation: Return with payment goes to Franchise Tax Board, PO Box 942867, Sacramento, CA 94267-0001, while Return without payment (refund or no balance due) goes to Franchise Tax Board, PO Box 942840, Sacramento, CA 94240-0001. Pick the address that matches your return below, sign and date the form, and mail it before the deadline.

Return with payment

Franchise Tax Board
PO Box 942867
Sacramento, CA  94267-0001

Use this address for a paper Form 540 where return with payment.

Verified September 2026ftb.ca.gov

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Mail my California tax return — $5

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  • You write & pay
  • We print & envelope
  • USPS, next business day
  • Confirmation of Mailing emailed

Other mailing addresses

Return without payment (refund or no balance due)

Franchise Tax Board
PO Box 942840
Sacramento, CA  94240-0001

Use this address for a paper Form 540 where return without payment (refund or no balance due).

Your name
Your return address

Franchise Tax BoardPO Box 942867Sacramento, CA 94267-0001

Your letter, printed and mailed for you.

Key facts

  • California splits paper Form 540 returns by address: return with payment vs. return without payment (refund or no balance due) — mailing to the wrong one can delay processing.
  • Make checks or money orders payable to the "Franchise Tax Board".
  • A mailed return is generally considered filed on time if it is postmarked by the state filing deadline — sign and date it, since an unsigned return isn't considered filed.
  • PostPal prints your return and hands it to USPS the next business day for $5 — no printer, envelope, or trip to the post office.

How to send your letter

  1. 1

    Pick the address that matches your situation

    California uses a different address depending on whether you're enclosing a payment: Return with payment; Return without payment (refund or no balance due). Choose the one below that matches your return.

  2. 2

    Assemble and sign your return

    Attach any required schedules and withholding statements to your Form 540. Sign and date it — an unsigned paper return isn't considered filed.

  3. 3

    Address the envelope exactly

    Use Franchise Tax Board at the address for your situation, shown above.

  4. 4

    Mail it before the deadline

    A USPS postmark by the filing deadline counts as on time. Upload your return to PostPal and we print, envelope, and mail it within one business day for $5, with a dated confirmation emailed to you.

Common questions

Where do I mail my California state tax return?

It depends on whether you're enclosing a payment. For "return with payment," mail it to Franchise Tax Board, PO Box 942867, Sacramento, CA 94267-0001. For "return without payment (refund or no balance due)," mail it to Franchise Tax Board, PO Box 942840, Sacramento, CA 94240-0001.

Does it matter which California address I use?

Yes. Franchise Tax Board routes paper returns by mail code, so sending a payment return to the no-payment address (or vice versa) can delay processing, even though the state and ZIP still get it to the right building.

What do I make my check payable to?

The "Franchise Tax Board". Write your Social Security number and the tax year on the check or money order.

Is a mailed California return considered on time if it's postmarked by the deadline?

Generally yes — most states, including California, treat a return as timely filed if it carries a USPS postmark on or before the filing deadline. Keep proof of mailing for your records; PostPal emails you a dated confirmation.

Can PostPal mail my California tax return for me?

Yes. Upload your completed, signed Form 540 and PostPal prints it and mails it to Franchise Tax Board, PO Box 942867, Sacramento, CA 94267-0001 (or your correct address, based on your situation) the next business day for $5, with a dated Confirmation of Mailing.

Sources

Addresses verified September 2026 against official sources. Always confirm on the official site before time-sensitive filings.

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