California State Income Tax: Rates and Who Pays in 2022-2023
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For the 2022 tax year (taxes filed in 2023), there are nine California state tax brackets: 1%, 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, 9.3%, 10.3%, 11.3% and 12.3%.
Your tax brackets and rates depend on taxable income, tax-filing status and state residency status.
The California statewide sales tax is 7.25%. Many municipalities add on local tax as well.
2022 California state tax rates and tax brackets
Source: California Franchise Tax Board
Note: If your taxable income is $100,000 or less, use the tax table on the California Franchise Tax Board's website to figure taxes owed.
When are California state taxes due?
California state income tax returns are due April 18, 2023, or Oct. 16, 2023, with an extension.
Residents and businesses in counties affected by winter storms, or another declared state of emergency, have until Oct. 16, 2023 to file. Previously, the filing deadline for disaster-area taxpayers was May 15. Californians in these areas can check with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration to see if they qualify for emergency tax or fee relief.
What is California's standard deduction?
The standard deduction for state income taxes in California is $5,202 (single or married filing separately) and $10,404 (married filing jointly, qualifying widow/er or head of household).
Do I have to pay California state tax?
Generally, you have to file a California state tax return if you’re a resident, part-year resident or nonresident and:
You’re required to file a federal tax return.
You got income from a source in California during the tax year.
You have income above certain thresholds.
What part of my income gets taxed by California?
When it comes to California state tax, there are three residency statuses: resident, part-year resident and nonresident. They determine what portion of your income the state will tax.
If your California residency type is ... | California taxes this part of your income |
|---|---|
Resident. | All income from all sources inside and outside California. |
Part-year resident. | All income received while a resident, plus income from California sources while a nonresident. |
Nonresident. | Income from California sources. |
» Need help? How to find a tax preparer near you
Am I a resident for California state tax purposes?
Resident status rules
You’re a resident of California for tax purposes if your presence in California wasn’t temporary or transitory in purpose. Generally, you’re a resident if you lived in California, even if you were temporarily out of state.
Here are some examples of situations that can make you a California resident for tax purposes, according to the state:
You spend more than nine months in California during the tax year.
Your employer assigns you to an office in California for a long or indefinite period.
You decide to check out California for a while, with no real plans to leave.
You’re in California for an indefinite period to recuperate from an illness.
Students from California who go to college out of state do not automatically become nonresidents. Likewise, attending school in California doesn’t automatically make a student a California resident. The California Franchise Tax Board's website has the rules on how California determines residency status.
Part-year resident status rules
Generally, you’re a part-year resident of California if you were a nonresident for some of the tax year. This is often the case for people who moved to California from another state.
If you’re a part-year resident, you pay California state tax on all income you received during the part of the tax year you were a resident of California, plus state income tax on income just from California sources while you were a nonresident.
Nonresident status rules
Nonresidents still may have to pay California state tax on income they receive from California sources. This means you may need to file a California state tax return even if you live in another state but made money from California-related things such as:
Services performed in California.
Rent from real estate you own in California.
The sale or transfer of real estate in California.
Income from a California business, trade or profession.
In some cases, you might be a nonresident for tax purposes even if you live in California but you were out of state for at least 546 consecutive days because of an employment-related contract. However, that exception won’t apply if you had more than $200,000 of intangible income while the employment-related contract was in effect, were in California for more than 45 days during the tax year, or if the state thinks the point of your absence is to evade state income taxes.
6 things to know about California state tax
California’s tax-filing deadline generally follows the federal tax deadline.
Tax software will do your state taxes (though sometimes for an extra fee).
Wondering "Where is my California state tax refund?" Good news: You can check the status of your state tax refund online.
If you can’t pay your California state tax bill on time, you can request a one-time, 30-day delay.
If you can’t afford your tax bill and owe less than $25,000, California offers payment plans. Typically, you get three to five years to pay your bill. There’s a fee to set up an agreement.
You can also apply for the state’s offer in compromise program, which might allow you to pay less than you owe.
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