California State Business & Corporate Tax Extension
-
Want to save time? Prepare and eFile your Federal Business Extension to unlock FREE California Extension filing resources for all business types with 24/7 support.
Requirements for Filing a Business Tax Extension in the State of California
Securing a California business tax extension depends on the type of business you’re filing for. All of California’s tax extensions are paperless, meaning there are no forms or applications to file. Note that sole proprietorships seeking a state extension should look to California’s personal tax extension guidelines instead.
C Corporations
California C-corporation tax returns are due by the 15th day of the 4th month following the end of the tax year (or April 15 for calendar year filers). California grants an automatic 6-month corporate tax extension as long as it is in “good standing” with the Franchise Tax Board and the California Secretary of State. No written request is necessary. The corporation must then file its return by the extended deadline (October 15 for calendar year taxpayers).
All Corporations incorporated or qualified or registered to do business in California, are subject to the corporation franchise tax and must pay the minimum franchise tax of $800. A tax extension does NOT give you more time to pay your state tax balance or the $800 minimum franchise tax hence if the corporation owes tax to the State of California, it is still due by the original deadline (April 15). You can make a state tax payment using Form FTB 3539 (Payment for Automatic Extension for Corporations and Exempt Organizations). See the important tip below regarding the California Franchise tax.
General Partnerships, Limited Partnerships, and Limited Liability Partnerships
California partnership tax returns are due by the 15th day of the 3rd month after the end of the tax year (or March 15 for calendar year filers). A partnership can automatically receive a 7-month state tax extension without having to submit a written request. A California partnership tax extension moves the filing deadline from March 15th (for calendar year taxpayers) to October 15th.
All General Partnerships (GP's), Limited Partnerships (LP's) and Limited Liability Partnerships (LLP's) organized, qualified or registered to do business in California, are subject to the minimum annual tax of $800. A tax extension does NOT give you more time to pay your state tax balance or the $800 minimum tax hence if the corporation owes tax to the State of California, it is still due by the original deadline (March 15).
You can make a state tax payment using Form FTB 3538 (Payment for Automatic Extension for LPs, LLPs, and REMICs).
Limited Liability Companies (LLC's) and S Corporations
Tax returns for California multi-member LLC, LLC's treated as partnerships and single-member LLC's owned by pass-through entities (S Corporation, LLC's treated as Partnerships and Partnerships) are due by the 15th day of the 3rd month following the end of the tax year (typically March 15 for calendar year filers). An LLC can receive an automatic 6-month state tax extension as long as the LLC is not forfeited or suspended. A California tax extension will move the filing deadline to September 15 (for calendar year taxpayers).
All S Corporations and Limited Liability Companies (LLC's) organized, qualified or registered to do business in California, are subject to the minimum annual tax of $800. A tax extension does NOT give you more time to pay your state tax balance or the $800 minimum tax hence if the corporation owes tax to the State of California, it is still due by the original deadline (March 15)
You can make a state tax payment using Form FTB 3537 (Payment for Automatic Extension for LLCs).
LLC's with more than one member are treated as Partnerships unless the LLC elects to be treated as a corporation. LLC's with 2 members that are owned by a husband and wife may elect to be treated as a disregarded entity, where the LLC's profit or loss are reported on the members' tax return(s) or elect to be treated as a partnership.
Important Tip Regarding Your California Business Tax Extension
Again, all Corporations, LLC's & Partnerships (both foreign & domestic) doing business in the State of California are subject to the minimum franchise tax of $800 per year. This tax is imposed on all entities who do business in California regardless of whether the corporation, LLC or Partnership was organized in the State of California. An extension does NOT provide an extension to pay this minimum franchise tax, so be sure to use the appropriate CA form to pay the $800 annual tax by your business tax return deadline.
For more information, visit the State of California Franchise Tax Board website: www.ftb.ca.gov
Taxpayer telephone information and assistance - (800) 852-5711
What Business Extension Forms Are Required by the State of California ?
Form FTB 3539 (CORP) (Payment Voucher for Automatic Extension for Corporations and Exempt Organizations):
Form FTB 3538 (565) (Payment Voucher for Automatic Extension for LPs, LLPs, and REMICs):
Form FTB 3537 (LLC) (Payment for Automatic Extension for LLCs):Mail Form FTB 3539, Form FTB 3538, or Form FTB 3537 to the following address:
Franchise Tax Board PO Box 942857 Sacramento, CA 94257-0531California Business tax payments can also be made (no registration required) at: WebPay for Businesses
Mailing Business Tax Extension Forms?
Tip to Ensure Secure Delivery:
Consider Using Certified Mail for Tracking Delivery
Time Saving Tip:
eFile Your IRS Business Tax Extension and Unlock Free State Extension Resources with 24/7 Support. Leave Traditional Mailing Behind for Federal Extensions, Get Your Federal & State Extensions Done in Minutes!
FAQ
The rules and regulations for business tax extensions are different in every state. Some states will automatically grant you a state tax extension if you obtain a valid Federal extension — but other states require a separate state-specific application. For state-by-state information about filing tax extensions, please visit our State Tax Extensions center.
If your company maintains financial books/records, you can determine your current tax liability if you multiply your taxable income by the applicable tax rate. Many people simply use their numbers from last year’s tax return (as long as your tax situation is relatively similar). Remember to reduce your current tax balance by the amount of tax that was withheld (or paid via estimated tax payments), if any, during the year.
Yes. You can get more time to file for an estate or trust by submitting IRS Form 7004 for a business tax extension. An extension will give you 5 extra months to file Form 1041 (U.S. Income Tax Return for Estates and Trusts). During TaxExtension.com’s online application process, you will have the option of choosing “Estate” or “Trust” for your business entity type.
It depends on what type of LLC you have. For Federal income tax purposes, a multi-member LLC is classified as a “partnership” by default (unless it specifically elects to be treated as a corporation). A multi-member LLC classified as a partnership should request a business tax extension (IRS Form 7004) to get 5 extra months to file. A multi-member LLC classified as a corporation should also request a business tax extension, which provides 6 extra months to file a corporation return. On the other hand, a single-member LLC is classified as a “disregarded entity” by default (unless it specifically elects to be treated as a corporation). When a single-member LLC is treated as a disregarded entity, that means its activities are reported on the owner’s individual income tax return (Form 1040). So if you have a single-member LLC, you only need one (1) personal tax extension (IRS Form 4868) to cover yourself and your business, which gives you 6 extra months to file your return.
Independent contractors (Form 1099), sole proprietors (Form 1040 Schedule C), and single-member LLCs that report their business activities on their personal tax return (IRS Form 1040) should request a personal tax extension — not a business extension. For these taxpayers, a personal extension (IRS Form 4868) will cover both themselves and their business. If you have a different type of business, such as a partnership or S-corporation, you should file IRS Form 7004 for a business tax extension.
An IRS tax extension will give a business 5 or 6 extra months (depending on the type of business entity) to file its Federal income tax return. A business tax extension grants 5 more months to file: Form 1041, Form 1065, and Form 8804. A business tax extension grants 6 more months to file: Form 706-GS(D), Form 706-GS(T), Form 1041 (bankruptcy estate only), Form 1041-N, Form 1041-QFT, Form 1042, Form 1065-B, Form 1066, Form 1120, Form 1120-C, Form 1120-F, Form 1120-FSC, Form 1120-H, Form 1120-L, Form 1120-ND, Form 1120-ND (section 4951 taxes), Form 1120-PC, Form 1120-POL, Form 1120-REIT, Form 1120-RIC, Form 1120S, Form 1120-SF, Form 3520-A, Form 8612, Form 8613, Form 8725, Form 8831, Form 8876, Form 8924, and Form 8928. Our easy-to-use online application makes it easy for you to select the correct business entity type. If you are unsure which business tax return is required for your business, TaxExtension.com will help you figure it out.
Most partnerships and multi-member LLCs are required to file a separate income tax return, which means you will need a business extension to cover your business tax return, plus a personal extension to cover your personal tax return. On the other hand, a single-member LLC is classified as a “disregarded entity” (or “pass-through entity”), which means the business activities are reported on the owner’s personal tax return. In that case, you would only need a personal tax extension to cover both you and your business.
If you file a separate tax return for your business and you’re required to provide the business’ EIN (employer identification number) on the return, you should also provide the EIN on your tax extension request. Note that most businesses are required to obtain an EIN, which the IRS uses to identify a business entity. However, if you have a single-member LLC — which is considered a “pass-through entity” (or “disregarded entity”) — you should use your SSN (Social Security Number) instead of an EIN. Pass-through entities are reported as part of the owner’s personal tax return, which means you only need one (1) personal tax extension (IRS Form 4868) to cover both yourself and your business.
Corporations are granted a 6-month tax extension, which moves their filing deadline from March 15 to September 15. Trusts, certain estates, most partnerships, and some multi-member LLCs are granted a 5-month tax extension, which moves their filing deadline from April 15 to September 15.
In most cases, you will hear back from the IRS within 24 hours of submitting your business tax extension online. However, it’s important to note that IRS response times will be longer than normal on the last day of filing (March 15 and April 15). As soon as your business extension is approved by the IRS, you will receive an email from TaxExtension.com with the details of your extension, including your official IRS confirmation number.
Trending Free Tax Resources
Helpful articles for tax filing deadline extensions
Social Media
