ARTICLE 1. Accounting Periods [24631. - 24637.]

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC 1.

in effect

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 24631. Section 24631.

(a) (1) For taxable years beginning prior to January 1, 2000, income shall be computed on the basis of the taxpayer’s income year. (2) For taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2000 (other than the first taxable year beginning on or after that date), income shall be computed on the basis of the taxpayer’s taxable year. (3) As provided in paragraph (1) of subdivision (f) of Section 23151, paragraph (1) of subdivision (f) of Section 23181, and paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 23183, for the first taxable year beginning on or after January 1, 2000, income shall be computed on the basis of both the preceding income year and the current taxable year. (b) For purposes of this part, the term “income year” or “taxable year” (as applicable) means— (1) The taxpayer’s annual accounting period, if it is a calendar year or a fiscal year; (2) The calendar year, if subsection (g) applies; or (3) The period for which the return is made, if a return is made for a period of less than 12 months. (c) For purposes of this part, the term “annual accounting period” means the annual period on the basis of which the taxpayer regularly computes its income in keeping its books. (d) For purposes of this part, the term “calendar year” means a period of 12 months ending on December 31st. (e) For purposes of this part, the term “fiscal year” means a period of 12 months ending on the last day of any month other than December. In the case of any taxpayer who has made the election provided by subsection (f), the term means the annual period (varying from 52 to 53 weeks) so elected. (f) (1) A taxpayer who, in keeping its books, regularly computes its income on the basis of an annual period which varies from 52 to 53 weeks and ends always on the same day of the week and ends always— (A) On whatever date such same day of the week last occurs in a calendar month, or (B) On whatever date such same day of the week falls which is nearest to the last day of a calendar month, may (in accordance with the regulations prescribed under paragraph (3)) elect to compute its income for purposes of this part on the basis of such annual period. This paragraph shall apply to taxable years ending after December 31, 1954. (2) (A) In any case in which the effective date or the applicability of any provision of this part is expressed in terms of taxable years beginning or ending with reference to a specified date which is the first or last day of a month, a taxable year described in paragraph (1) shall be treated— (i) As beginning with the first day of the calendar month beginning nearest to the first day of such taxable year, or (ii) As ending with the last day of the calendar month ending nearest to the last day of such taxable year, as the case may be. (B) In the case of a change from or to a taxable year described in paragraph (1)— (i) If such change results in a short period (within the meaning of Section 24634) of 359 days or more, or less than seven days, Section 24636 shall not apply; (ii) If such change results in a short period of less than seven days, such short period shall, for purposes of this part, be added to and deemed a part of the following taxable year; and (iii) If such change results in a short period to which Section 24634 applies, the income for such short period shall be placed on an annual basis for purposes of such subsection by multiplying such income by 365 and dividing the result by the number of days in a short period, and the tax shall be the same part of the tax computed on the annual basis as the number of days in the short period is of 365 days. (3) The Franchise Tax Board shall prescribe such regulations as it deems necessary for the application of this subsection. (g) Except as provided in Section 24634 (relating to returns for periods of less than 12 months), the taxpayer’s taxable year shall be the calendar year if— (1) The taxpayer keeps no books; (2) The taxpayer does not have an annual accounting period; or (3) The taxpayer has an annual accounting period, but such period does not qualify as a fiscal year.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 24632. Section 24632.

The taxable year of a taxpayer may not be different than the taxable year used for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code, unless initiated or approved by the Franchise Tax Board, or otherwise required under Section 24634.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 24633. Section 24633.

If a taxpayer changes its annual accounting period, the new accounting period shall become the taxpayer’s taxable year only if the change is approved by the Franchise Tax Board. For purposes of this part, if a taxpayer to whom Section 24631(g) applies adopts an annual accounting period (as defined in Section 24631(c)) other than a calendar year, the taxpayer shall be treated as having changed its annual accounting period.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 24633.5. Section 24633.5.

(a) In the case of any “S corporation” or personal service corporation required to change its accounting period by the federal Tax Reform Act of 1986 (Public Law 99-514) as modified by Section 10206 of Public Law 100-203 and Section 1008(e) of Public Law 100-647, that change shall be treated as initiated by the “S corporation” or personal service corporation with the consent of the Franchise Tax Board. (b) With respect to any beneficiary, partner, or shareholder which is required to include the items from more than one taxable year of the trust, partnership, or corporation in any one taxable year, any income in excess of expenses for the short taxable year resulting from the change described in subdivision (a) or subdivision (a) of Section 17551.5 shall be taken into account ratably in each of the first four taxable years beginning after December 31, 1986, unless the beneficiary, partner, or shareholder elects to include all that income in the beneficiary’s, partner’s, or shareholder’s taxable year with or within which the trust’s, partnership’s, or corporation’s short taxable year ends. (c) The spreading of income over four years, as allowed by subdivision (b), shall not apply unless the taxpayer receives similar treatment for federal income tax purposes. (d) For taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 1987, each of the following shall apply: (1) The adjusted basis of any partner’s interest in a partnership or shareholder’s stock in an “S corporation” shall be determined as if all of the income to be taken into account ratably in the four taxable years referred to in subdivision (b) were included in gross income for the first of those taxable years. (2) If any interest in a partnership or stock in an “S corporation” is disposed of before the last taxable year in the spread period, all amounts which would be included in the gross income of the partner or shareholder for subsequent taxable years in the spread period under subdivision (b) and attributable to the interest or stock disposed of shall be included in gross income for the taxable year in which the disposition occurs. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the term “spread period” means the period consisting of the four taxable years referred to in subdivision (b).

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 24634. Section 24634.

(a) A return for a period of less than 12 months (referred to in this article as “short period”) shall be made under any of the following circumstances: (1) When the taxpayer, with the approval of the Franchise Tax Board, changes its annual accounting period. In such a case, the return shall be made for the short period beginning on the day after the close of the former taxable year and ending at the close of the day before the day designated as the first day of the new taxable year. (2) When the taxpayer is in existence during only part of what would otherwise be its taxable year, except if the taxpayer’s existence terminates as a result of a reorganization described in Section 368(a)(1)(F) of the Internal Revenue Code. (3) When the Franchise Tax Board terminates the taxpayer’s taxable year under Sections 19081 and 19082 (relating to tax in jeopardy). (4) When the taxpayer is required to make a federal return for a period of less than 12 months. (b) This section shall apply whether or not a federal return is required to be filed for a period of less than 12 months. (c) If a return is required to be filed under this section for a period of less than 12 months, that period shall be deemed to be a taxable year.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 24636. Section 24636.

(a) If a separate return is made by a taxpayer subject to the tax imposed by Chapter 2, under Section 24634 on account of a change in the accounting period the net income, computed on the basis of the period for which the separate return is made, referred to in this section as “the short period,” shall be placed on an annual basis by multiplying the amount thereof by 12, and dividing by the number of months in the short period. The Franchise Tax Board shall compute the amount of a tax on the income placed on such annual basis, and shall allow the offset provided for in Article 3 of Chapter 2, from such tax. The tax due under this section, which shall not be subject of offset, shall be such part of the tax, less the offset allowed, computed on such annual basis as the number of months in the short period is of 12 months. (b) If a taxpayer subject to the tax imposed by Chapter 2 establishes the amount of its net income for the period of 12 months beginning with the first day of the short period, computed as if such 12-month period were a taxable year, under the law applicable to such year, then the tax for the short period shall be reduced to an amount which is such part of the tax computed on the net income for such 12-month period as the net income computed on the basis of the short period is of the net income for the 12-month period. The taxpayer (other than a taxpayer to which the next sentence applies) shall compute the tax and file its return without the application of this section. If the taxpayer has disposed of substantially all its assets prior to the end of such 12-month period, then in lieu of the net income for such 12-month period there shall be used for the purposes of this section the net income for the 12-month period ending with the last day of the short period. The tax computed under this section shall in no case be less than the tax computed on the net income for the short period without placing such net income on an annual basis. The benefits of this section shall not be allowed unless the taxpayer, at such time as regulations prescribed hereunder require (but not after the time prescribed for the filing of the return for the first taxable year which ends on or after 12 months after the beginning of the short period), makes application therefor in accordance with such regulations. Such application, in case the return was filed without regard to this section, shall be considered a claim for credit or refund with respect to the amount by which the tax is reduced under this section. The Franchise Tax Board shall prescribe such regulations as it may deem necessary for the application of this section. (c) In the case of a taxpayer required to file a short period return pursuant to Section 24634, the alternative minimum tax shall be determined in accordance with Section 443(d) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 24637. Section 24637.

For taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 1987, Section 444 of the Internal Revenue Code, relating to election of taxable year other than required taxable year, shall be applicable, except that Section 444(c)(1), relating to effect of election, shall not apply.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026