Online Services
Resources

For more information on Online Services, please see the resources below.

Sales and Use Tax Excel Workbook Uploads
Motor Vehicle Pre-Collection 531-AB Excel Workbook Upload
Video Tutorials

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

General Questions

How do I update my business location address if I have moved?

The location address cannot be changed. If you have moved, you must first add your new location and then close your old location.

Can I add another business location to my existing account?

Yes, if you have full access to the account, our online services allows you to add business locations and complete other account maintenance tasks.

To add a location:

Visit the CDTFA's Online Services page and log in to your online services profile using your username and password
Select the appropriate account
Under I Want To, select More
Under Location Maintenance select Register a New Location

How do I close a business location or my account?

To close a location:

Visit the CDTFA's Online Services page and log in to your online services profile using your username and password
Select the appropriate account
Under I Want To, select More
Under Location Maintenance select Close a Location

To close an account:

Visit the CDTFA's Online Services page and log in to your online services profile using your username and password
Select the account to be closed
Under I Want To, select More
Under Account Maintenance select Account Closure

How do I print a seller's permit?

To print a permit:

Visit the CDTFA's Online Services page and log in to your online services profile using your username and password
Select the appropriate account
Select the Locations tab
Click the Print Permit button
Select the location to print
Click the Print button

What if I cannot print because my browser says it is blocking a pop-up?

You may have a pop-up blocker enabled. You may try these steps, depending on the type of browser on your computer:

Select “OK” on the warning stating that a pop-up was blocked.
Select “If your letter did not open automatically, click here.”
The page should open in a new tab or window.

What if I don't see my account listed in my online services portal?

Once you have logged on with a username and password:

Select Request Access to an Account from the I Want To section.
Enter the account number and security code mailed to you. This will link the account to your username.

If you do not have a security code, a letter with a security code will be mailed to the address on file for the business to which you are requesting access. The business owner will have the option to approve or deny the access or share the security code with you.

If you need your security code sooner, please request the code online and then contact our Customer Service Center at 1-800-400-7115 (TTY:711).

How can I get help?

If you have questions, please contact our Customer Service Center at 1-800-400-7115 (TTY:711). Customer service representatives are available Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific time), except state holidays.

Online Access

Log In or Sign Up Now

CDTFA requires a username and password to access our online services functions. This enhances security and your overall customer experience.

Once your profile is created, depending on your account type and access level, you will have the ability to:

Register for a permit, license, or account
File and manage returns and reports
Make or view a payment
View return and payment history
Access a saved draft of return
Save banking information for future payments
View correspondence and billing notices
Update account information, such as an address change

Request power of attorney
Request relief from penalty and interest
Request filing or payment extensions
Receive alerts
Provide secondary access to a third-party delegate
File an appeal
Access and manage multiple accounts under one logon
Register a new location

How do I create a username and password?

For business owners:

You will need to create a username and password to gain access to your account. You cannot change your username once it has been created. Usernames are provided at an individual level. Each business owner should have their own logon credentials.

To create your username, please visit the online services home page and click on Sign Up Now.

For additional information about creating a username, please visit our Tutorials page and watch a video on how to create a username and password for business owners.

For a third party delegate:

You will need to create a username and password as a Third-Party Delegate (Tax Preparer/CPA, Representative, Employee, Other) to gain access to an account. To create your username, please visit the CDTFA online services home page and click on Sign Up Now. Follow the prompts to create a username and password, then log in and select Request Access to an Account under the I Want To section.

For additional information, please visit our Tutorials page and watch a video on how to create a username and password for third party access.

What if I haven't received my security access code to create a new username and password?

If you have not received the security code letter, please call our Customer Service Center at 1-800-400-7115 (TTY:711) so that a representative can ensure we have the most recent contact information on file. Customer service representatives are available Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific time), except state holidays.

Is there a limit to how many usernames can have access to a given account?

There is no limit to the number of usernames that can have access to an account. But owners should regularly check their account and delete any users who should no longer have access.

Will my password expire?

Yes, passwords expire after 400 days. Once your password expires, you will be prompted to change it.

What if I am locked out?

Please visit our online services page, enter your username and select Forgot Password? to reset your password and unlock your account.

If you are unable to reset your password, please call our Customer Service Center at 1-800-400-7115 (TTY:711). Customer service representatives are available Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific time), except state holidays.

What if I don't remember my username or password?

To retrieve your username, visit CDTFA's online services page, under Login select Forgot Username? and follow the prompts.

If you have forgotten your password and need to reset it, visit CDTFA's online services page, under Login select Forgot Password? and follow the prompts. An email with a link to reset your password will be sent to the email address on file.

If you are unable to retrieve your username or reset your password, please call our Customer Service Center at 1-800-400-7115 (TTY:711). Customer service representatives are available Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific time), except state holidays.

Third Party Access

What is the difference between the owner and third party access type?

An owner who registers for a username and password as the business owner will receive access to all accounts registered to them. A third party receives access on an account-by-account basis. This means that a third party must request access to each account they need to manage online.

Both owners and third parties, depending on access level, will have the ability to manage accounts and create secondary logons. The Third-Party Non-Administrator access type will not have the ability to add a secondary logon.

I am the business owner; how do I modify the access type for my third party?

To modify the type of access granted to your third party:

Log in to your online services profile using your username and password by visiting the CDTFA website at onlineservices.cdtfa.ca.gov.
Select Settings
Select Third-Party Access
Under Logons, select the username of the third party you want to modify
Under I Want To, select Manage access
Select the access type to update:
General Access:
- Third-Party Administrator — able to create secondary logons
- Third-Party Non-Administrator — unable to create secondary logons
Account access
- All Access — to perform all functions on the account
- File and Pay — to file returns and make payments on the account, as well as view account information
- File Returns — to file returns on the account (excluding renewals), as well as view account information
- Make Payments — to make payments on the account, as well as view account information
- View — to view the account only
Update and save the submission

If I provide my third party delegate with the security code from the letter, what does All Access allow them to do?

All Access allows them to:

File a tax or fee return
Make a payment
View return and payment history
Access a saved draft of a tax or fee return
Save banking information for future payments

View and obtain correspondence and billings
Update account information
Request relief or extensions
Provide secondary access to a delegate

Can I remove my tax preparers online access to my account?

As a business owner, you can remove access for any username with access to your account. To modify the type of access granted to your third party:

Visit CDTFA's online services page and log in to your online services profile using your username and password.

Select Settings
Select Third-Party Access
Under Logons, select username of the third party you want to cancel
Under I Want To, Select Manage access
Select Cancel Access for the appropriate account

Secondary Access

Can I delegate access to an employee to access my portal on my behalf?

Once a business owner or third party has gained access to the account(s), they will have the ability to grant access to secondary users without any additional security code requirements. An email address is required, and you will be prompted to create a username for the secondary user.

The secondary user will only have access to accounts that a business owner or third party has granted them. Based on the access level granted, the secondary user may be able to file returns, make payments, update addresses, etc. If you cancel your user logon at any time, all associated secondary user logons will also be cancelled.

For additional information, visit our online services Tutorials page, click the Logging In drop down and watch the How to Grant Secondary Access video.

How do I create a secondary logon?

To add a secondary logon:

Visit CDTFA's online services page and log in to your online services profile using your username and password
Select Settings
Select Secondary logons
Select the Add button
You will be required to enter the following information:
- Logon (username) for the secondary user
- Email — for the secondary user
Select Grant Access to each individual account and/or customer
Select the Type of Access:
- All Access
- File and Pay
- File Returns
- Make Payments
- View
Select which Periods Logon Has Access To (only one type of range listed below can apply):
- All Periods
- Periods from a Specific Date (period from date required)
- Periods Within a Date Range (period from and to dates required)
Submit and then your secondary user will receive an email with instructions on how to proceed. The secondary user must set up their password within 1 hour.

For additional information, visit our online services Tutorials page, click the Logging In drop down and watch the How to Grant Secondary Access video.

I am a tax preparer and don't have the link to add a secondary logon. How do I get it?

The business owner must change your access type from Third-Party Non-Administrator to Third-Party Administrator. They can change your access type by logging in to their online services profile with a username and password, or by contacting CDTFA.

As a secondary user, I received an email to create a password and it expired. How do I reset it and create my password?

The e-mail will need to be resent. Once logged in, the party who created the secondary logon will go to Settings, Secondary Logons, and select Resend logon access email found under the I Want To section.

If you have any questions, please call our Customer Service Center at 1-800-400-7115 (TTY:711). Customer service representatives are available Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific time), except state holidays.

Saved Drafts

I saved a return and am unable to retrieve it. What do I do?

If you do not have a confirmation code to retrieve your saved request and do not have a username and password, please call the Customer Service Center at 1-800-400-7115 (TTY:711) Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific time), except state holidays. If you have a username and password, you can obtain your saved return from the Submissions tab.

How long will my draft return in progress be saved?

The draft will be saved for 30 days.

Can I save a registration that has not yet been completed?

Yes, select Save Draft located on the bottom left-hand corner. Be sure to notate the Confirmation code.

How long will my incomplete registration be saved?

The draft will be saved for 30 days.

I saved a return and am unable to retrieve it. What do I do?

If you do not have a confirmation code or are unable to access your saved registration, please call the Customer Service Center at 1-800-400-7115.

Online Filing Instructions

Outreach/Special Notices

Special Notices:

To view Special Notices, please visit our Notices & Newsletters page.

Power of Attorney

A CDTFA Online Services username and password is required to request a power of attorney online. To create your username, please visit the online services home page and click on Sign Up Now, then select the Create My Logon option. Follow the prompts to create your third-party delegate username and password. To view step-by-step video tutorials on how to create a username and password and how to request access to an account, please see our Tutorials page.

Log In

What is a Power of Attorney?

A power of attorney allows an account owner to be represented by legal counsel, Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Enrolled Agent (EA), or another representative. The representative may also request third party delegate access which allows them to file returns, make payments, and update account information on behalf of the account owner.

What do I need to get started?

To complete the power of attorney, you will need the following account owner information:

Account number
Identification type (for example, a social security number or California Secretary of State entity number)
Identification number (for the identification type above)
Tax or fee year(s) or period(s) you will be representing

How do I request a power of attorney?

To request a power of attorney, log in with your username and password. Under the I Want To column select the More option. Then Request Power of Attorney selection and follow the prompts.

To review your submitted request, log in with your username and password, then select the Submissions tab.

How do I know my request was approved?

A letter will be sent to the account owner of the account you are requesting access prior to you receiving power of attorney privileges. A notification will be sent to you when the request has been reviewed by the account owner.

The power of attorney request only represents that you have requested power of attorney and will not give you access to the account owner's information on our online services. If you would like to have access to their online services accounts, log in with your username and password and select Request Access to an Account from the I Want To column.