The Basic Information section contains California-specific questions used to complete your California return. While most personal information transfers from the federal return, California requires additional information related to residency, voter registration, health care information, organ donation registration, military status, and deceased taxpayer information.
Program Entry
California Return → Basic Information
Additional Personal Information
Select Edit to review and complete the California-specific personal information questions.
Private Mailbox Information (Only for U.S. Addresses)
If your mailing address includes a private mailbox, enter the mailbox number in this section.
Examples include:
- PMB numbers
- Private mailbox addresses
- Commercial mailbox services
This information helps California accurately identify your mailing address.
County of Principal Residence
Select the California county where your principal residence was located during the tax year.
Examples include:
- Los Angeles
- San Diego
- Orange
- Sacramento
- Lassen
- Any other California county
This information is used for state reporting purposes and may affect certain California programs and local reporting requirements.
Is Your Principal/Physical Residence Address the Same as the Address on the Tax Return?
Select:
- Yes if your physical residence and mailing address are the same.
- No if your physical residence is different from the address shown on the return.
If No is selected, additional address information may be required.
Do You Want to Register to Vote?
California allows taxpayers to register to vote while completing their tax return.
Voter Registration Requirements
Generally, you may register to vote if you:
- Are a U.S. citizen.
- Are a resident of California.
- Will be at least 18 years old by the date of the next election.
- Are not currently in prison or on parole for the conviction of a felony.
Choosing whether to receive voter registration information does not affect your California tax calculation.
Do You Want to Receive Information Related to Health Care Coverage?
Select:
- Yes if you would like to receive information related to health care coverage options.
- No if you do not wish to receive this information.
This election is informational and does not affect your California tax liability.
Do You Want to Elect to Be an Organ and Tissue Donor?
California allows taxpayers to register as organ and tissue donors through their state tax return.
Separate entries are available for:
- Taxpayer
- Spouse
Select:
- Yes to register as an organ and tissue donor.
- No if you do not wish to register.
This election does not affect your refund, balance due, or California income tax calculation.
Prior Year Last Name Information
If your last name has changed since filing your prior-year California return, enter the prior-year last name in the appropriate field.
Taxpayer
Enter the taxpayer's prior-year last name.
Spouse
If filing jointly and applicable, enter the spouse's prior-year last name.
Providing this information helps California match the current return with prior-year tax records and may help avoid processing delays.
Complete if You Were Active Duty Military
Select Begin if the taxpayer or spouse served on active military duty during the tax year.
Additional military questions may be required to determine the proper California treatment of military income and residency.
Military service may affect:
- Residency status
- California taxable income
- Filing requirements
Complete all applicable military information when prompted.
Complete if the Taxpayer or Spouse Listed on the Return Is Deceased
Select Edit if the taxpayer or spouse passed away during the tax year.
Additional information may be required regarding:
- Date of death
- Filing status
- Personal representative information
Completing this section ensures the return is filed correctly and helps California process the return appropriately.
How Does This Affect My Return?
Information entered in the Basic Information section may:
- Verify California residency information.
- Update voter registration preferences.
- Register an organ and tissue donor election.
- Provide health care coverage information requests.
- Report military service information.
- Report deceased taxpayer information.
- Help California match the return to prior-year records.
Notes
- Most personal information transfers automatically from the federal return.
- The Basic Information section contains California-specific questions that must be reviewed before filing.
- Voter registration, health care information requests, and organ donor elections do not affect the calculation of California tax.
- If your last name has changed since filing last year's return, enter your prior-year last name to help California identify your records.
- Review all entries carefully before filing your California return.