What to Do If You Missed the Tax Deadline in California

Missed the April tax deadline? Don’t panic. Whether you’re an individual, freelancer, or small business owner in California, there are still steps you can take to avoid bigger penalties — and maybe even reduce what you owe.

Step 1: File As Soon As Possible

The failure-to-file penalty is 5% of your unpaid taxes per month, up to 25%. Filing even one day late starts the penalty clock.

• Owed nothing or expecting a refund? No penalty — but you must file within 3 years to claim it.

• Owe taxes? File anyway — penalties grow the longer you wait.

Step 2: Pay What You Can

• Even partial payment reduces penalties.

• Set up a payment plan:

  • IRS Payment Plans

  • California FTB Payment Plans

Step 3: Know the California Rules

• California’s Franchise Tax Board (FTB) has separate deadlines and penalties.

• If you run a business (LLC or S Corp), you may owe minimum franchise tax even if you made no income.

Step 4: Haven’t Filed in 2–3 Years? Here’s What to Do

Many people fall behind — it’s more common than you think. But the sooner you get current, the more options you have.

Here’s how to catch up:

• Gather your records: W-2s, 1099s, expenses, prior notices, etc.

• Check what the IRS/FTB already has: We can request your wage & income transcripts.

• File the oldest year first: This establishes a baseline and shows good faith.

• Ask about penalty relief: You may qualify for first-time abatement or reasonable cause waivers.

• Avoid substitute returns: If the IRS files a return on your behalf, it usually overstates what you owe — fixing that can reduce your tax bill significantly.

We help clients in North County file multiple years at once — discreetly, efficiently, and with minimized risk.

Step 5: Watch for IRS or FTB Letters

If you’ve received CP14, CP501, or FTB notices, don’t ignore them — we can help interpret and respond to avoid escalations like levies or garnishments.

Step 6: Talk to a Pro Before It Gets Worse

At Cardiff Tax, we specialize in:

• Late tax return filing (1+ years behind)

• Penalty relief requests

• IRS/FTB notice response

• Payment plans and audit protection

Let’s Fix It — Without Judgment

You’re not alone, and we’re here to help you get a clean slate. Whether you’re behind one year or five, we’ll guide you through every step — confidentially and professionally.