3870: Election for Refundable Credit (2025)
California · FTB · Used for tax years 2025
California Form 3870 lets you elect to treat available qualified credits as refundable in future years. It lists the credits and amounts elected, totals the election amount, and calculates the annual refundable credit amount at 20% of that total.
What you'll need
Have these forms and details available:
- Your California tax return, including the name or names shown on it.
- Your applicable identification numbers. The form provides fields for an SSN or ITIN, California corporation number, FEIN, and California Secretary of State file number.
- Your applicable credit forms showing the available qualified credit amounts you want to elect as refundable in future years.
- Form FTB 3544, Part B, if credits assigned to you are claimed there.
How to file
Attach Form FTB 3870 to your California tax return.
- Enter your name or names as shown on your California tax return and your applicable identification numbers.
- On line 1, list each credit's name, code, and amount to be elected as refundable in future years. List credits assigned to you and claimed on Form FTB 3544, Part B separately.
- On line 2, enter the total of line 1, column (c).
- On line 3, multiply line 2 by 20% (.20) to calculate the annual refundable credit amount.
The form refers you to instructions for the election and calculations, but no instructions were provided here. The supplied form text does not give a mailing address or e-filing directions.
Common mistakes
- Do not forget to attach Form FTB 3870 to your California tax return.
- Do not combine assigned credits with other entries. The form says to list credits assigned to you and claimed on Form FTB 3544, Part B separately.
Questions people ask
What is Form FTB 3870 used for?
It is used to elect an amount of available qualified credit as refundable in future years.
Where do I get the credit amounts for line 1?
Use your applicable credit forms. Enter each credit's name, code, and amount to be elected as refundable.
How do I calculate the annual refundable credit amount?
Add the amounts in line 1, column (c), and enter the total on line 2. Multiply line 2 by 20% (.20) and enter the result on line 3. The form also directs you to see the instructions.
How do I list credits assigned to me?
List credits assigned to you and claimed on Form FTB 3544, Part B separately.
Where can I find the privacy notice?
The form says to get FTB 1131 EN-SP for the privacy notice.