What the Franchise Tax Board online payment system does
The California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) lets you pay state income tax, back taxes, or penalties directly through their website without mailing a check or visiting an office. You can pay from a bank account or credit card, and the money reaches the FTB within one to three business days depending on the method you choose. The system works whether you owe a small amount or several thousand dollars, and you get a confirmation number when ready after payment.
The FTB is California's state tax agency — separate from the IRS — so this system handles only California state taxes, not federal taxes. If you owe both, you will need to pay each agency through their own system.
Key Takeaways
- You can pay California state taxes online at onlineservices.ftb.ca.gov using a bank account (ACH transfer) or credit card, with no fee for bank transfers but a processing fee for cards.
- Bank account payments take one to three business days to post; credit card payments post within one business day but cost 2.5% of the amount paid.
- You will need your Social Security number or ITIN, your tax year, and the amount owed before you start the payment process.
- The system generates a confirmation number at the end of payment that you should save for your records, though you can also look up past payments in your FTB account.
- If you cannot pay in full, the FTB offers payment plans and installment agreements that you can set up through the same online portal.
Setting up your FTB online account
Before you can pay, you need to create or log into an FTB online account at onlineservices.ftb.ca.gov. If you do not have an account yet, click "Create Account" and enter your Social Security number or ITIN, your date of birth, and a password. The FTB will send you a confirmation email — check your spam folder if it does not arrive within a few minutes.
Once you are logged in, the system shows your current balance, past payments, and any notices the FTB has sent you. This is also where you can set up a payment plan if you cannot pay the full amount at once. Having an account means you can check your balance anytime without calling or visiting an office, and you can make multiple payments without re-entering your information each time.
Paying with a bank account (ACH transfer)
An ACH transfer pulls money directly from your checking or savings account and costs nothing. Log into your FTB account, select "Make a Payment," and choose "Bank Account" as your payment method. Enter the routing number and account number from a check, or the account information from your bank's website. The FTB will ask you to verify the account by depositing two small amounts (usually under $1 each) to that account — you then enter those amounts back into the FTB system to confirm you own the account.
After verification, the payment takes one to three business days to post to your FTB account. The FTB processes ACH payments in batches, so the exact timing depends on when you submit and when the batch is processed. You will receive a confirmation number when ready, but do not assume the payment has posted until you see it in your FTB account or receive a receipt in the mail.
Paying with a credit or debit card
Credit and debit card payments post within one business day, but the FTB charges a processing fee of 2.5% of the amount you pay. On a $1,000 payment, that fee is $25. The fee is added to your payment, so if you owe $1,000 and pay by card, you will actually be charged $1,025. This fee goes to the payment processor, not to the FTB, and is not tax-deductible.
To pay by card, log into your FTB account, select "Make a Payment," and choose "Credit Card" or "Debit Card." Enter your card number, expiration date, and CVV. The system will process the payment when ready and give you a confirmation number. Because of the fee, most people use bank account payments when they can wait a few days, and reserve card payments for situations where they need the money to post quickly.
What happens after you submit payment
You will see a confirmation page with a confirmation number — write this down or take a screenshot. The FTB will also send you a confirmation email if you provided one during setup. The confirmation number is your proof that you submitted the payment, and you should keep it with your tax records.
The payment will show as "pending" in your FTB account until it posts. Once it posts, your balance will drop by the amount paid. If you paid by bank account, this takes one to three business days. If you paid by card, it usually posts within one business day. If more than three business days have passed and the payment still shows as pending, contact the FTB at 1-800-338-0505 to confirm the payment was received.
Setting up a payment plan if you cannot pay in full
If you owe more than you can pay right now, the FTB allows you to set up an installment agreement through the same online portal. Log into your account, select "Payment Plans," and choose either a short-term plan (up to 120 days) or a long-term plan (longer than 120 days). Short-term plans have no setup fee. Long-term plans charge a $225 setup fee if you set it up online, or $225 to $225 if you set it up by phone or mail.
Once you set up a plan, you make monthly payments on a schedule you choose. The FTB will send you a payment coupon or set up automatic payments from your bank account. Interest and penalties continue to accrue on the unpaid balance, so paying faster saves you money, but a payment plan keeps the FTB from taking collection action while you pay.
Common issues and what to do
If your payment is rejected, the most common reason is a mismatch between the account number you entered and the account at your bank. Double-check the routing and account numbers against a recent check or your bank's website. If the numbers are correct, contact your bank to confirm the account is set up to receive ACH transfers — some accounts have restrictions.
If you paid by card and the charge appears on your statement but the FTB shows no payment received, wait three business days for the payment to post. If it still does not appear, contact the FTB with your confirmation number and the date you paid. The FTB can trace the payment and confirm whether it was received. Do not make a second payment until you have confirmed the first one did not go through, or you may overpay.
If you need to cancel a payment before it posts, contact the FTB when ready — ACH payments can sometimes be stopped if caught within one business day, but card payments cannot be reversed once submitted. Have your confirmation number ready when you call.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay someone else's California taxes online?
No. The FTB system requires you to log in with the taxpayer's Social Security number or ITIN and password. If you are a tax professional or family member, you can request power of attorney through the FTB, which allows you to manage the account on their behalf, but you still need their permission to set it up.
What if I overpay by mistake?
The FTB will hold the overpayment as a credit on your account and explore it to future taxes owed. You can also request a refund by contacting the FTB, though refunds take several weeks to process. If you want the money back quickly, leaving it as a credit is usually faster.
Does paying online count as on-time payment?
Yes, as long as you submit the payment by the due date. The FTB considers the payment submitted when you click the final confirmation button, not when the money actually posts to their account. Keep your confirmation number as proof of the submission date.
Can I set up automatic payments for next year's taxes?
Not through the online payment system. You can set up a payment plan for taxes you currently owe, but automatic payments for future tax years must be arranged separately. Contact the FTB to discuss options for recurring payments.
What if I do not have a bank account?
The FTB online system requires either a bank account or a credit card. If you have neither, you can mail a check to the FTB address on your notice, or visit a local FTB office to pay in person with cash. Call 1-800-338-0505 to find the nearest office.