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California sales tax return

CDTFA 401-EZ, Short Form-Sales and Use Tax Return 2026

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The document is a short form sales and use tax return (CDTFA-401-EZ) issued by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. It provides taxpayers with a structured format to report total sales, purchases subject to use tax, exempt transactions, and calculate the total tax due. The document includes detailed instructions for completing each line item, information on penalties for late payments, and options for filing online or by mail.

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Click ‘Get Form’ to open the CDTFA 401-EZ in our editor.
Begin by entering your account number and the period begin and end dates at the top of the form.
Fill in your taxpayer name, address, city, state, and ZIP code. If this is an amended return, check the appropriate box.
Proceed to line 1 and enter your total gross sales. Include all sales related to your California business.
For line 2, report any purchases subject to use tax that you made without paying California sales tax.
Continue filling out lines 3 through 12 by adding or subtracting as instructed for exempt transactions and taxable transactions.
Complete lines 13 through 20 by calculating total sales tax due, any penalties or interest if applicable, and the total amount due.
Finally, sign and date the form before mailing it to the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration.

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See more CDTFA 401-EZ, Short Form-Sales and Use Tax Return versions

We've got more versions of the CDTFA 401-EZ, Short Form-Sales and Use Tax Return form. Select the right CDTFA 401-EZ, Short Form-Sales and Use Tax Return version from the list and start editing it straight away!

Versions	Form popularity	Fillable & printable
2026	4.7 Satisfied (56 Votes)
2024	4.3 Satisfied (28 Votes)
2023	4.8 Satisfied (24 Votes)
2022	4.8 Satisfied (160 Votes)
2018	4.8 Satisfied (57 Votes)
2018	4.3 Satisfied (116 Votes)
2013	4.2 Satisfied (48 Votes)
2013	4.4 Satisfied (271 Votes)
2011	4.4 Satisfied (79 Votes)
2007	4.8 Satisfied (34 Votes)

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We have answers to the most popular questions from our customers. If you can't find an answer to your question, please contact us.

What is a short form tax return?

The 1040EZ is a simplified form used by the IRS for income taxpayers that do not require the complexity of the full 1040 tax form. Simply select your tax filing status and enter a few other details to estimate your total taxes.

What triggers a CDTFA audit?

A sales tax audit occurs when the California CDTFA suspects a businesss reported sales have not been reported at all or have been understated. Particularly, this inconsistency occurs in situations where there is an incompatible number between the sales tax returns filed with the state and what was reported to the IRS.

Can I write off sales tax penalty?

Are Sales Tax Penalties Deductible? Sales tax penalties are generally not deductible on business taxes. While businesses can deduct interest paid on unpaid taxes, penalties imposed for non-compliance are considered a violation of tax laws and cannot be written off.

What is the penalty for CDTFA sales tax?

Penalty and Interest There is a 10 percent penalty for not filing your return or paying your full tax or fee payment on time.

What is the difference between sales tax and use tax in California?

Californias sales tax generally applies to the sale of merchandise, including vehicles, in the state. Californias use tax applies to the use, storage, or other consumption of those same kinds of items in the state.

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How much is the penalty for late payment?

The failure-to-pay penalty is one-half of one percent for each month, or part of a month, up to a maximum of 25%, of the amount of tax that remains unpaid from the due date of the return until the tax is paid in full.