California’s tax system begins with federal adjusted gross income (AGI) but quickly diverges because the state does not conform to many federal tax laws. To reconcile these differences, taxpayers complete Schedule CA (540), which adjusts income and deductions to reflect California-specific rules.

This course walks line-by-line through Schedule CA, focusing on the most common areas of divergence:
Business income and deductions (e.g., depreciation limits, §179, no bonus depreciation)
COVID-19 relief items (PPP loans, EIDL advances, unemployment exclusions, CARES/ARPA provisions)
Individual adjustments (cancellation of debt, taxable refunds, mortgage interest, property taxes)

We’ll also review how major federal laws—TCJA (2017), CARES (2020), ARPA (2021), and OBBBA (2025)—created lasting differences between federal and California tax law.

By the end of the course, you’ll:

• Understand why Schedule CA is required
• Recognize where California departs from federal law
• Confidently apply adjustments and avoid common errors

This course provides a practical roadmap to completing Schedule CA (540) accurately and understanding the policy reasons behind California’s unique tax choices.