CHAPTER 3. Graffiti Prevention Tax [7287. - 7287.10.]

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC 3.

in effect

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 7287. Section 7287.

(a) The legislative body of any city or county, or city and county, may levy a tax by an ordinance approved by two-thirds of the electors voting on the measure, in addition to any other tax authorized by this division, on the privilege of selling at retail within its jurisdiction aerosol paint containers, containers of any other marking substance, felt tip markers which have a flat or angled writing surface of one-half inch or greater, or any other marking instruments, at the rate of no more than ten cents ($0.10) per aerosol paint container or container of other marking substance, and no more than five cents ($0.05) per felt tip marker or other marking instrument. (b) For purposes of this chapter, “aerosol paint container” means any aerosol container, regardless of the material from which it is made, which is adapted or made for the purpose of spraying paint capable of defacing property. (c) For purposes of this chapter, “felt tip marker” means any broad-tipped indelible marker or similar implement containing an ink that is not water-soluble. (d) For purposes of this chapter, “marking substance” and “marking instrument” means any substance or instrument, other than aerosol paint containers and felt tip markers, which could be used to draw, spray, paint, or mark, including, but not limited to, shoe polish applicators.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 7287.2. Section 7287.2.

Any ordinance levying a tax pursuant to this chapter shall provide for the following: (a) That the city or county, or city and county, shall contract prior to the effective date of the ordinance with the State Board of Equalization to perform all functions incident to the administration or operation of the ordinance for as long as the city or county, or city and county, has an operative ordinance enacted pursuant to this chapter. (b) That the ordinance is repealed no later than five years after its effective date.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 7287.4. Section 7287.4.

Every retailer engaged in business in a city or county, or city and county, which has an operative ordinance enacted pursuant to this chapter shall, at the time of making the sales of aerosol paint containers or felt tip markers, collect the tax from the consumer and give to the consumer a receipt therefor in the manner and form prescribed by the State Board of Equalization.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 7287.6. Section 7287.6.

All revenues collected pursuant to a tax authorized by this chapter shall be remitted to the State Board of Equalization and allocated by the board as follows: (a) First, for reimbursement to the board, pursuant to the contract between the board and the city or county, or city and county, of the reasonable costs of administering and enforcing the ordinance on behalf of the local entity. (b) Second, for transmission not later than March 15 of each calendar year to each city or county, or city and county, which has an operative ordinance enacted pursuant to this chapter, in an amount corresponding to the amount of revenues derived within that jurisdiction from a tax levied by that ordinance. Moneys transmitted to a city or county, or city and county, pursuant to this section shall only be expended by that local entity for purposes of the removal and prevention of graffiti, or for educational programs for at-risk youth to combat graffiti vandalism in all its forms.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 7287.8. Section 7287.8.

The State Board of Equalization shall administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter, and may prescribe, adopt, and enforce, rules and regulations for those purposes pursuant to Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code. The board may prescribe the extent to which any rule or regulation shall be applied without retroactive effect.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 7287.9. Section 7287.9.

Except as provided in Section 7287.10, to the extent feasible or practicable, Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 6451), Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 6701), Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 6901), and Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 7051) of Part 1, shall govern determinations, collection of tax, overpayments and refunds, and administration under this chapter.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 7287.10. Section 7287.10.

(a) The return and payment of the tax imposed by this chapter is due and payable to the board annually on or before February 15 following the end of the calendar year during which the tax was collected. (b) For purposes of computing interest due on any amount of tax not paid when due, interest shall be computed to the 15th day of each succeeding month. (c) Except in the case of fraud, intent to evade this chapter or accompanying rules and regulations, or failure to make a return, every notice of a deficiency determination shall be mailed within three years after the 15th day of the second month following the one-year period for which the amount is proposed to be determined or within three years after the return is filed, whichever period expires later. In the case of failure to make a return, every notice of determination shall be mailed within eight years after the 15th day of the second month following the one-year period for which the amount is proposed to be determined. (d) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), no refund shall be approved by the board after three years from the 15th day of the second month following the one-year period for which the overpayment was made, or with respect to determinations made under Article 2 (commencing with Section 6481), Article 3 (commencing with Section 6511), and Article 4 (commencing with Section 6536) of Chapter 5 of Part 1, after six months from the date the determinations become final, or after six months from the date of overpayment, whichever period expires later, unless a claim therefor is filed with the board within that period. No credit shall be approved by the board after the expiration of that period unless a claim for credit is filed with the board within that period, or unless the credit relates to a period for which a waiver has been granted pursuant to Section 6488. (2) A refund may be approved by the board for any period for which a waiver has been granted under Section 6488 if a claim for refund is filed with the board before the expiration of the waiver period. (e) In all other instances where the due date specified in subdivision (a) conflicts with a due date specified in Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 6451), Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 6701), Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 6901), and Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 7051) of Part 1, the due date specified in subdivision (a) shall be substituted for any due date specified in those chapters, and periods running from or to, or otherwise based on, the otherwise applicable due date shall be adjusted accordingly.

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