Alternative identifying information for certain dependents under California law July 2021 Tax News

For taxable years 2018 through 2025, the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act changed the federal dependent exemption deduction amounts to $0. However, California continues to allow Dependent Exemption Credits to personal income taxpayers with dependents, including dependents residing in Mexico or Canada.  However, not all dependents who qualify under California law will have either a social security number (SSN) or an individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN).

FTB Notice 2021-01: Procedures to Provide Alternative Identifying Information for Certain Dependents under RTC 17054(d), related to Claiming Dependent Exemption Credits was published on July 4, 2021.  This Notice prescribes the procedures for providing alternative identifying information for dependents who are ineligible to receive either an SSN or ITIN, in order to claim a Dependent Exemption Credit.

Taxpayers must complete and attach form FTB 3568, Alternative Identifying Information for the Dependent Exemption Credit, for each foreign dependent with the taxpayer's completed California personal income tax return and provide supporting documentation such as a copy of each dependent's passport or national identification card.

It’s important to note that the alternative identifying information procedures in this Notice may only be used for the Dependent Exemption Credit. They cannot be used for any other credits, such as the California Earned Income Tax Credit or Young Child Tax Credit.