541-A: Trust Accumulation of Charitable Amounts (2025)
California · FTB · Used for tax years 2025
California Form 541-A, Trust Accumulation of Charitable Amounts, reports a trust’s income and deductions, income set aside for charitable purposes, and charitable distributions of income and principal. It also reports the trust’s assets, liabilities, and net assets.
What you'll need
Have the information needed to complete the form:
- The trust’s name, FEIN, creation date, and address; trustee names; and the grantor’s or settlor’s name and address.
- Information about whether any trustees, or the grantor or settlor, were California residents during the taxable year.
- Income and deduction amounts, charitable amounts set aside, and charitable distributions of income and principal. For itemized charitable amounts, include the charitable purpose and each payee’s name and address.
- Beginning-of-year and end-of-year book values for the balance sheet.
- Corresponding amounts reported on federal Form 1041-A. Attach a schedule explaining any differences.
Attach the schedules called for by the applicable lines:
- Federal Schedule C (Form 1040) for business income or loss.
- Schedule D (541) for capital gain or loss.
- Federal Schedule E (Form 1040) for rents, royalties, partnerships, other estates and trusts, and similar income.
- Federal Schedule F (Form 1040) for farm income or loss.
- Schedule D-1 for ordinary gain or loss.
- Schedules for other deductions and for the investment and debt entries that request them in Part IV.
Common mistakes
- Do not use this form for a fiscal year. The form says it is for calendar years only.
- Follow the simplified reporting directions if total income is $25,000 or less: skip lines 1 through 8 and enter total income on line 9. In Part IV, complete only lines 38, 42, and 45.
- If amounts differ from the corresponding amounts on federal Form 1041-A, attach a schedule explaining the differences.
- When itemizing charitable deductions or distributions, include the charitable purpose and the payee’s name and address.
Questions people ask
Can I use the 2025 form for a fiscal year?
No. The form states that it is for calendar years only.
What if the trust’s total income is $25,000 or less?
Skip lines 1 through 8 and enter total income on line 9. For the Part IV balance sheet, complete only line 38, total assets; line 42, total liabilities; and line 45, total net assets.
Where do I report charitable distributions?
Part II reports distributions of income set aside in prior taxable years for charitable purposes. Part III reports distributions of principal for charitable purposes. The distribution entries ask for the charitable purpose and each payee’s name and address.
Who signs the form?
The signature line is for the trustee or an officer representing the trustee. The form also has a separate signature area for a paid preparer.