California Tax Refund Estimator (2025 Tax Year)

Estimate your California state refund or balance due in under a minute, using the official Franchise Tax Board rates. Nothing you enter is sent anywhere; the math runs in your browser.

Filing an extension? The extended deadline for 2025 California returns is October 15, 2026. An extension gives you more time to file, not to pay.

1. Filing status Filing status

Dependents Number you claim

Extra exemptions Each person 65+ or blind

2. Income and deductions California adjusted gross income (AGI) Start with federal AGI, then adjust for California differences (for example, Social Security is not taxed by California).

Enter your income as a number.

Standard deduction Itemized deductions

3. Payments and credits California income tax withheld Add box 17 from all W-2s, plus state withholding on 1099s. Estimated payments and prior-year overpayment applied Include 2025 quarterly payments and any extension payment.

Other credits that reduce tax E.g. renter’s credit, child care credit. Cannot go below $0.

Refundable credits E.g. CalEITC, Young Child Tax Credit.

Your estimate

Enter your numbers

Your estimated California refund or balance due appears here.

–Effective rate

–Marginal bracket

California AGI	–
Deduction	–
Taxable income	–
Tax from rate schedule	–
Exemption credits	–
Other credits applied	–
Mental Health Services Tax (1% over $1M)	–
Total California tax	–
Withholding and payments	–
Refundable credits	–
Refund / (balance due)	–

This is an estimate for planning, not a filed return. It does not model every California adjustment, credit, or income-based phase-out (for example, the reduction of exemption credits at higher incomes), and it does not estimate your federal refund.

How the estimator works

Taxable income. Your California AGI minus the standard deduction ($5,706 for single and married filing separately; $11,412 for joint, head of household, and qualifying surviving spouse) or your itemized deductions, whichever you choose.
Tax. Applied to the official 2025 rate schedule for your filing status, with nine brackets from 1% to 12.3%.
Credits. Personal exemption credits ($153 each; two for joint filers and qualifying surviving spouses), $153 for each extra 65+ or blind exemption, and $475 per dependent, plus any other credits you enter.
Extra 1% tax. Added on taxable income above $1 million.
Refund or balance due. Your withholding, estimated payments, and refundable credits minus your total tax.

Want the full bracket tables? See our guide to California income tax brackets and rates.

Tips to avoid a surprise balance due

Check your W-4 and California DE 4 withholding forms after a raise, new job, marriage, or new child.
If you earn self-employment or investment income, make quarterly estimated payments.
Gather every W-2 and 1099 before you enter withholding, so you do not undercount.
Keep records of deductions and credits such as rent paid, child care costs, and dependent details.

Frequently asked questions

How accurate is this California refund estimator?

It applies the official 2025 Franchise Tax Board rate schedules, standard deduction, and exemption credits to the figures you enter. It is an estimate: it does not model every adjustment, credit, or income phase-out, so your actual refund can differ.

Where do I find my California withholding?

Look at box 17 (state income tax) on your W-2s, and the state withholding box on any 1099 forms. Add up every form for the year.

What income number should I enter?

Enter your California adjusted gross income. If you do not have it yet, start with your federal adjusted gross income, then add or subtract California differences such as Social Security benefits, which California does not tax.

How long does a California refund take?

E-filed returns with direct deposit are typically processed faster than paper returns. The Franchise Tax Board offers a Where’s My Refund tool on ftb.ca.gov so you can check your status.

Can I still file my 2025 California return?

The extended deadline for 2025 returns is October 15, 2026. If you missed it, file as soon as possible, since penalties and interest apply to tax owed and refunds can expire if you wait too long.