Revenue and Taxation Code section 2513

If an application, tax statement or claim for credit or refund required by law to be filed with a taxing agency on or before a specified date is filed with the taxing agency through the United States mail, properly addressed with the required postage prepaid, it shall be deemed filed on the date shown by the post office cancellation mark stamped on the envelope containing it, or on the date it was mailed if proof satisfactory to the tax collector establishes that the mailing occurred on an earlier date.
If an application, tax statement or claim for credit or refund required by law to be filed with the taxing agency on or before a specified time on a specified date is sent through the United States mail, properly addressed with the required postage prepaid, and the cancellation mark is placed on the envelope after it is deposited in the mail:

(a)

Where the cancellation mark shows both date and time, the application, tax statement or claim for credit or refund shall be deemed filed on the date shown by the cancellation mark and by the time specified by law for that date.

(b)

Where the cancellation mark shows only the date, the application, tax statement or claim for credit or refund shall be deemed filed within the time and date specified when the cancellation mark bears a date on or before the specified date of filing.

Source: Section 2513, https://leginfo.­legislature.­ca.­gov/faces/codes_displaySection.­xhtml?lawCode=RTC§ionNum=2513.­ (accessed May 9, 2025).

Last Updated

Apr. 24, 2025

§ 2513’s source at ca​.gov