Yikes! What CA Tax Return do I use?

[inneedofhelp]

I am a california resident and earned under $200 last year as a housekeeper. I have a business license and am not allowed to file for free online because of the business earnings.

I am trying to download the correct paper tax return online from franchise tax board, but I do not see any area to report my business income. I remember last year, filling out a schedule c for my business.

Which is the correct tax form to use?

And yes, I know I am cutting it close, I just had to wait until I had the money to pay my taxes before I could file them.

[poundwise]

I'm not familiar with California forms but it looks to me like you file Form 540 with Schedule CA.

Both the forms and instructions are available on the Franchise Tax Board site.

[inneedofhelp]

I called up FTB, and they said that since I had included the business income in my federal tax return as part of my agi, that I would not need to do an additional the CA form, just the regular 540.

[poundwise]

I'm glad that you found the answer you needed.

[inneedofhelp]

This is soooo confusing!!

The guy on the phone at FTB sounded confused, and went and checked with another person and said that 1) if my business income is already on my Federal 1040, then I don't need to do a 540 California Adjustment form (which does have a section pertaining to business income). He also said I would be able to do Cal E-file.

But the website says I cannot do Cal E-file if I have business income. Ugh!!