FAQs for Cigarette and Tobacco Products Online Filing

Online filing is a web-based application that allows users to view, modify, and submit tax filings (tax returns, reports, and claims for refund) online.

Online filing is free, fast, easy, convenient, and accurate. All you need is a computer and access to the Internet. You do not need to leave your home or office to file. You will receive confirmation that your return, schedule, and payment information has been accepted for processing and if tax is due, you do not need to write a check, funds can be transferred electronically.

Online filing of tax information includes the following advantages:

• No paper tax forms to fill out and no signature documents to be completed and mailed.
• No postage expenses are incurred.
• Ability to file outside normal business hours.
• Processing time is reduced.
• Electronic security ensures confidentiality of data.
• Electronic acknowledgment is provided by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) when you file.
• Less file storage space is required since data can be stored electronically.
• Less chance for data entry errors.

The guidelines, rules and responsibilities for cigarette and tobacco products online filing are provided on the Cigarette and Tobacco Products Online Filing webpage.

Beginning August 12, 2019, you will have full access to all online services including filing returns/reports. If you have been receiving paper returns, we will no longer mail paper returns to you in the near future.

Sign up now to create a new Username and Password and login with these new credentials to file online in our new online services system beginning August 12, 2019.

If you have an existing User ID, Password, or Express Login, these credentials will not be valid in the new online services system on and after August 12, 2019.

All information and documentation about cigarette and tobacco products online filing is available on the Cigarette and Tobacco Products Online Filing webpage. This page contains guidelines, rules, instructions, examples, templates, applications, and general information.

All cigarette and tobacco products tax forms may be filed online.

The “Declaration of Intent” accepted during the online filing process, affirms your intention to file your return online. In addition, it certifies that the return/report, including any accompanying schedules, documents, and statements, has been examined by you and to the best of your knowledge and belief is true, correct, and complete.

You may file an amended tax form online by logging on to your account and following the prompts online. If you do not have credentials to log on and access your account online, see How do I register to file online? above. Note: This is only available for periods filed after August 12, 2019. Amended figures on prior periods will need to be filed on paper. Please ensure you are using the correct version.

The filing for a period is considered to be filed timely if the tax form and any applicable payment are received by the CDTFA on or before the due date. If either is received after the due date, the filing is considered late. Tax forms and EFT payments filed online receive an electronic “postmark” of the date and time they are submitted. This postmark is used to determine if the filing is timely.

In general, if a tax form or payment is received by the CDTFA after the due date, interest and/or penalty may be charged. Failure to file a tax form, or filing an incomplete tax form, may result in charges for interest, penalty, and/or license revocation.

Typically you will not be required to submit any paper documentation after filing your tax form online. However, the CDTFA may request that you provide additional or supporting documentation for your filed tax form. You will be contacted by CDTFA staff if additional information is needed.

Yes. Beginning August 12, 2019, you will have full access to all online services including filing returns/reports. If you have been receiving paper returns, we will no longer mail paper returns to you in the near future.

No. Both the return and payment must be made by the due date to avoid late penalties and/or interest charges, but they do not need to be done at the same time. You may, for example, submit your return on the (10th) of the month and wait until the due date to make your payment. Go to the Online Services webpage for information on making electronic payments.

No. However, the CDTFA recommends that you also pay any taxes due electronically. See our Online Services webpage for information on making electronic payments and other payment options.

The following are the most common causes of this problem:

• The password is case-sensitive. Be sure to check the “Caps Lock” button on your keyboard, and make sure that you are entering any characters of your password in the proper case.
• Incorrect Password or Username

If you've checked everything and are still having problems, contact the CDTFA's Customer Service Center at 1-800-400-7115 (CRS:711), Monday through Friday (excluding State holidays) between 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time); from the main menu, select Special Taxes and Fees. You will need to provide your name, phone number, email address, company name, and account numbers. Please have that information ready. For security reasons you will be required to provide authentication information.

If you forgot your password and/or your username, go to our login page, select “Forgot Password?” and/or “Forgot Username?”, and follow the prompts.

If you are still unable to log on, you may contact the CDTFA's Customer Service Center at 1-800-400-7115 (CRS:711), Monday through Friday (excluding State holidays) between 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (Pacific time); from the main menu, select Special Taxes and Fees. You will need to provide your name, phone number, email address, company name, and account numbers. Please have that information ready. For security reasons you will be required to provide authentication information. Our customer service agents will assist you.

For technical assistance, please contact the CDTFA's Customer Service Center at 1-800-400-7115 (CRS:711), Monday through Friday (excluding State holidays) between 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time); from the main menu, select Special Taxes and Fees. You will need to provide your name, phone number, email address, company name, and account numbers. Please have that information ready. For security reasons you will be required to provide authentication information. Our customer service agents will assist you.

To ensure that you are notified of any developments regarding cigarette and tobacco laws, regulations, and taxes in California, we recommend you register with the CDTFA's subscription service. Please note, you are responsible for complying with any notifications provided through this subscription service. To receive Special Notices, our quarterly Tax Information Bulletin, and other information, you need to subscribe to the CDTFA's update list. You may also want to register to receive the Special Taxes and Fees Newsletter electronically.

For more information about the tax and licensing obligations for retailers, wholesalers, distributors, manufacturers, importers, and consumers of cigarettes and tobacco products, see our Tax Guide for Cigarettes and Tobacco Products.

Online filing uses the Internet to receive and transmit cigarette and tobacco tax forms. Online filing incorporates technological attributes to ensure data security. You must also use security procedures that are reasonably sufficient to ensure that all transmissions of cigarette and tobacco tax forms are authorized. You must take the necessary precautions to safeguard its technological attributes and notify the CDTFA when you have knowledge that its technological attributes have been compromised.

We will be happy to assist you in developing your cigarette and tobacco products online filing capabilities. We are available to provide technical expertise relating to the guidelines and requirements on the Cigarette and Tobacco Products Online Filing webpage. If you require assistance, please contact the CDTFA's Customer Service Center at 1-800-400-7115 (CRS:711), Monday through Friday (excluding State holidays) between 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time); from the main menu, select Special Taxes and Fees.

We will be happy to assist you in developing your cigarette and tobacco products online filing capabilities. We are available to provide technical expertise relating to the guidelines and requirements on the Cigarette and Tobacco Products Online Filing webpage. If you require assistance, please contact the CDTFA's Customer Service Center at 1-800-400-7115 (CRS:711), Monday through Friday (excluding State holidays) between 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time); from the main menu, select Special Taxes and Fees.

Independent companies may provide assistance, products, or services. CDTFA does not recommend or endorse these companies.