100: California Corporation Franchise or Income Tax Return (2025)
California · FTB · Used for tax years 2025
Form 100 is California’s Corporation Franchise or Income Tax Return for 2025. It reports a corporation’s income, state adjustments, deductions, credits, taxes, and payments to calculate a refund or amount due.
What you'll need
Have the corporation’s name, address, FEIN, California corporation number, and California Secretary of State file number available.
Gather information for the amounts you report, including income, deductions, prior-year overpayment credits, 2025 estimated tax payments, and extension payments. Line 33 identifies Forms 592-B and/or 593 for 2025 withholding.
Depending on the entries that apply, the form calls for these supporting forms or schedules:
- Depreciation adjustments: Attach FTB 3885 for lines 6 and 12. Schedule F, line 20, calls for federal Form 4562 and FTB 3885.
- Dividend adjustments: Attach Schedule H (100) for lines 10 and 11.
- Income allocation or apportionment: Complete Schedule R.
- Alternative minimum tax: Attach Schedule P (100).
- Other additions and deductions: Attach supporting schedules for lines 8 and 15.
- Reportable or listed transactions: If Schedule Q, question M, is answered “Yes,” complete and attach federal Form 8886 for each transaction.
- Ownership disclosures: If Schedule Q, question L1, L2, or L3, is answered “Yes,” furnish a statement with the relevant names, addresses, and stock ownership percentages. For individual owners, provide the SSN or ITIN.
Common mistakes
- Leaving the business activity code blank: Schedule Q, question F, specifically says not to leave it blank.
- Treating use tax as a total: Line 37 warns that it is not a total line.
- Missing a property-related filing: The warning for Schedule Q, questions C1 through C3, says a “Yes” requires a BOE-100-B statement and that penalties may apply.
- Assuming every corporation must complete Schedules L, M-1, and M-2: The form says these schedules may not be required and refers readers to the Schedule M-1 instructions for reporting requirements.
Questions people ask
Can an overpayment be applied to next year’s estimated tax?
Yes. Line 42 lets the corporation designate an amount from its overpayment on line 41 to be credited to 2026 estimated tax.
Does the form provide for direct deposit of a refund?
Yes. Line 43 includes fields for the routing number, checking or savings account type, and account number. It refers readers to the instructions for direct deposit details.
What happens if capital losses exceed capital gains?
Schedule D, line 11, says to carry losses forward to 2026 if losses exceed gains.
Who signs the return?
The signature area calls for an officer’s signature, title, and date. It also includes a separate paid preparer section.