As we have experienced in past years, the FTB is sending balance due notices to taxpayers who e-filed their returns and mailed payments on or just prior to April 15. In some cases, the checks have cleared, and in other cases the checks have not yet cleared.

We suggest that you have the client verify that the check was cashed. If so, check the taxpayer's account on FTB's website. Go to www.ftb.ca.gov and click on My FTB Account. Follow instructions to access the client's account to see if the payment was posted. We suggest checking online rather than calling the Practitioner Hotline ((916) 845-7057), as the line is continuously busy.

According to the FTB, practitioners should wait 45 days from April 15 (June 1st) for all checks to be cashed and payments to be posted to the taxpayer's account. If the check has not been cashed and has been lost, we believe that the FTB will abate any penalties.

If the payment is not credited by June 1, 2008, contact the FTB. And, we have again recommended that next year the FTB wait until all payments have been posted before sending notices.