990 Autopilot › California (FTB 199N)

The California filing most nonprofits don't know they still owe

For small California nonprofits that already file the federal 990-N · Updated October 2026

If your organization is based in California, filing the federal Form 990-N with the IRS only takes care of half of your annual obligation. California wants its own short annual return — FTB Form 199N, the state's own "California e-Postcard" — and it's filed separately, with the state, every year.

It's easy to miss precisely because it looks like the federal one you may have already handled. Many boards file with the IRS, assume they're done, and never realize California was expecting a filing too.

It mirrors the federal 990-N almost exactly

	Federal 990-N	California FTB 199N
Who files	Gross receipts normally ≤ $50,000	Gross receipts normally ≤ $50,000
When	15th day of the 5th month after your fiscal year ends	Same — 15th day of the 5th month
Filed with	The IRS	California Franchise Tax Board (FTB)
Cost to self-file	Free at IRS.gov	Free at the FTB website

The stakes are the same as the federal filing. Miss the California 199N three years in a row and the Franchise Tax Board can revoke your California tax-exempt status — which can mean owing the state's minimum franchise tax and going through reinstatement. Losing federal status and losing state status are two separate risks, and the 199N is what protects the state side.

You can file it yourself — or let us keep it on autopilot

We'll always tell you plainly: you can file the 199N yourself, for free, on the FTB website. If you reliably remember a second state deadline every year, you should. The trouble is that it's a different form, with a different agency, that resets every year and is easy to forget the moment your treasurer changes.

That's what the California add-on does. If you already use 990 Autopilot for your federal filing, we'll handle California right alongside it.

Add California to your autopilot

We file your FTB 199N every year with your federal 990-N, send you the confirmation, and check in 60 days before the deadline — even if your board changes. $24.99/year · cancel anytime.

Add California — $24.99/year

Common questions

Isn't the federal 990-N enough?: No. The federal 990-N satisfies the IRS. California is a separate government with its own annual filing (FTB 199N). Both are required for a California nonprofit.
Do I need the California add-on if I'm not in California?: No — this applies only to organizations formed or operating in California. Other states have their own rules, which we're happy to look into as we add them.
Is there a separate charity registration too?: Many California charities also renew annually with the Attorney General's Registry of Charitable Trusts (Form RRF-1), which is separate from the 199N. Ask us if you'd like help understanding what applies to you.
What do you need from me?: Your EIN and California corporation/registration number, plus the same basic details on your federal filing. We confirm everything before anything is submitted.

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