The Franchise Tax Board, California, will likely begin the return filing process for the tax year 2025 in the last week of January 2026, but individuals will be able to file their returns starting January 1, 2026, with a final deadline of April 15, 2026.
According to the FTB, it takes a maximum of 3 weeks to receive a tax refund when e-filed, and if filed on paper, the waiting time can be up to 3 months. As with every tax year, millions of Californians are expected to receive refunds in 2026.
In this article, we’ve discussed when you can expect to receive your refund after filing your California state tax return. By reading this entire article, you’ll learn the expected refund schedule, and we’ve also shared the process for checking status.
What’s the California State Tax Refund Timeline?
In California, if you file your tax return electronically for the tax year 2025 and choose a direct deposit for your refund, you’ll typically receive it within three weeks. However, if you opt for a paper check, it can take up to five weeks.
If you file your state tax return on paper and choose the direct deposit option, you will likely receive your refund within 8 to 10 weeks. However, if you opt for a paper check, you will have to wait at least 3 months, or 12 weeks.
What’s the expected 2026 California State Tax Refund Schedule?
The California FTB does not release a specific schedule for receiving refunds, but we have created an estimated schedule based on timelines and trends from previous years. This will give you an idea of when you can expect to receive your direct deposit or paper check.
E-File + Direct Deposit
| Filed Date Range | Return Received | Refund Approved | Refund Sent |
| Jan 1 – Jan 7 | Jan 3 – Jan 10 | Jan 10 – Jan 17 | Jan 15 – Jan 24 |
| Jan 8 – Jan 14 | Jan 10 – Jan 17 | Jan 17 – Jan 24 | Jan 22 – Jan 31 |
| Jan 15 – Jan 31 | Jan 17 – Feb 3 | Feb 1 – Feb 8 | Feb 6 – Feb 15 |
| Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Feb 3 – Feb 18 | Feb 10 – Feb 25 | Feb 15 – Mar 5 |
| Feb 16 – Feb 29 | Feb 18 – Mar 3 | Feb 25 – Mar 10 | Mar 1 – Mar 20 |
| Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Mar 3 – Mar 18 | Mar 10 – Mar 25 | Mar 15 – Apr 5 |
| Mar 16 – Mar 31 | Mar 18 – Apr 3 | Mar 25 – Apr 10 | Apr 1 – Apr 20 |
| Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Apr 3 – Apr 18 | Apr 10 – Apr 25 | Apr 15 – May 5 |
E-File + Paper Check
| Filed Date Range | Return Received | Refund Approved | Refund Sent |
| Jan 1 – Jan 7 | Jan 3 – Jan 10 | Jan 10 – Jan 17 | Jan 20 – Jan 31 |
| Jan 8 – Jan 14 | Jan 10 – Jan 17 | Jan 17 – Jan 24 | Jan 27 – Feb 7 |
| Jan 15 – Jan 31 | Jan 17 – Feb 3 | Feb 1 – Feb 8 | Feb 10 – Feb 25 |
| Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Feb 3 – Feb 18 | Feb 10 – Feb 25 | Feb 25 – Mar 15 |
| Feb 16 – Feb 29 | Feb 18 – Mar 3 | Feb 25 – Mar 10 | Mar 10 – Mar 31 |
| Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Mar 3 – Mar 18 | Mar 10 – Mar 25 | Mar 25 – Apr 15 |
| Mar 16 – Mar 31 | Mar 18 – Apr 3 | Mar 25 – Apr 10 | Apr 10 – Apr 30 |
| Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Apr 3 – Apr 18 | Apr 10 – Apr 25 | Apr 25 – May 15 |
Paper File + Direct Deposit
| Filed Date Range | Return Received | Refund Approved | Refund Sent |
| Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Jan 20 – Feb 5 | Feb 5 – Feb 20 | Feb 20 – Mar 10 |
| Jan 16 – Jan 31 | Feb 5 – Feb 20 | Feb 20 – Mar 5 | Mar 5 – Mar 25 |
| Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Feb 20 – Mar 10 | Mar 10 – Mar 25 | Apr 1 – Apr 20 |
| Feb 16 – Feb 29 | Mar 10 – Mar 25 | Mar 25 – Apr 10 | Apr 20 – May 10 |
| Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Mar 25 – Apr 10 | Apr 10 – Apr 25 | May 1 – May 25 |
| Mar 16 – Mar 31 | Apr 10 – Apr 25 | Apr 25 – May 10 | May 20 – Jun 10 |
| Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Apr 25 – May 10 | May 10 – May 25 | Jun 1 – Jun 20 |
Paper File + Paper Check
| Filed Date Range | Return Received | Refund Approved | Refund Sent |
| Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Jan 20 – Feb 5 | Feb 5 – Feb 20 | Mar 1 – Mar 25 |
| Jan 16 – Jan 31 | Feb 5 – Feb 20 | Feb 20 – Mar 5 | Mar 20 – Apr 10 |
| Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Feb 20 – Mar 10 | Mar 10 – Mar 25 | Apr 15 – May 10 |
| Feb 16 – Feb 29 | Mar 10 – Mar 25 | Mar 25 – Apr 10 | May 1 – May 31 |
| Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Mar 25 – Apr 10 | Apr 10 – Apr 25 | May 20 – Jun 10 |
| Mar 16 – Mar 31 | Apr 10 – Apr 25 | Apr 25 – May 10 | Jun 1 – Jun 30 |
| Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Apr 25 – May 10 | May 10 – May 25 | Jun 15 – Jul 15 |
How to check the California State Tax Refund Status?
The complete step-by-step instructions in order to check the 2026 California State Tax Return are available below.
- Go to the official website of the Franchise Tax Board, California, by visiting https://ftb.ca.gov/.
- On the homepage, you will find an option to “Check your refund status.” Click on it.
- Now, you will see an option that reads ‘Check Refund’ and get redirected to the login page.
- Lastly, you have to enter your Social Security Number, ZIP Code, and Refund Amount, and then click the Check Your Refund button.
Disclaimer: California state tax refund schedule 2026 details are for informational purposes only. Confirm official dates with the California Franchise Tax Board.
