ARTICLE 2. Tax Amnesty Program [7070. - 7078.]

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC 2.
in effect

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 7071. Section 7071.

The tax amnesty program shall be conducted for a two month period beginning February 1, 2005 through March 31, 2005, inclusive, or during a timeframe ending no later than June 30, 2005. The program shall apply to tax liabilities due and payable for tax reporting periods beginning before January 1, 2003.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 7072. Section 7072.

(a) For any taxpayer who meets the requirements of Section 7073: (1) The board shall waive all penalties imposed by this part, for the tax reporting periods for which tax amnesty is allowed for the nonreporting or underreporting of tax liabilities or the nonpayment of any taxes previously determined or proposed to be determined. (2) Except as provided in subdivision (b), no criminal action shall be brought against the taxpayer, for the tax reporting periods for which tax amnesty is requested, for the nonreporting or underreporting of tax liabilities. (b) This section does not apply to violations of this part for which, as of the first day of the amnesty period specified in Section 7071, (1) the taxpayer is on notice of a criminal investigation by a complaint having been filed against him or her or by written notice having been mailed to him or her that he or she is under criminal investigation, or (2) a court proceeding has already been initiated. (c) No refund or credit shall be granted of any penalty paid prior to the time the taxpayer makes a request for tax amnesty pursuant to Section 7073.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 7073. Section 7073.

(a) This article shall apply to any taxpayer who, during the amnesty period specified in Section 7071, meets all of the following: (1) Is eligible to participate in the tax amnesty program. (2) Files a completed amnesty application with the board, signed under penalty of perjury, to participate in the tax amnesty program. (3) Within 60 days after the conclusion of the tax amnesty period, does all of the following: (A) Files completed tax returns for all tax reporting periods for which he or she has not previously filed a tax return and files completed amended returns for all tax reporting periods for which he or she underreported his or her tax liability. (B) Pays in full the taxes and interest due for all periods for which amnesty is requested, or applies for an installment agreement under subdivision (b). (C) For taxpayers who have not paid in full any tax liabilities due and payable for tax reporting periods beginning before January 1, 2003, pays in full the taxes and interest due for each period for that portion of the proposed determination for each period for which amnesty is requested or applies for an installment payment agreement under subdivision (b). (4) In the case of any taxpayer that has filed for bankruptcy protection under Title 11 of the United States Code, submits an order from a Federal Bankruptcy Court allowing the taxpayer to participate in the amnesty program. (b) The board may enter into an installment payment agreement in lieu of the complete payment required under subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a), but only if final payment under the terms of that installment payment agreement is due and is paid no later than June 30, 2006. The installment payment agreement shall include interest on the outstanding amount due at the rate prescribed by law. Failure by the taxpayer to fully comply with the terms of the installment payment agreement shall render the waiver of penalties null and void, unless the board determines that the failure was due to reasonable causes, and the total amount of tax, interest, and all penalties shall be immediately due and payable. (c) If, subsequent to the amnesty period specified in Section 7071, the board issues a deficiency determination upon a return filed pursuant to subdivision (a), or upon any other nonreporting or underreporting of tax liability by any person who could have otherwise been eligible for amnesty, the board shall impose penalties at a rate that is double the rate of penalties described in law and criminal action may be brought under this part only with respect to the difference between the amount shown on that return and the correct amount of tax, or the amount of unreported or underreported tax, whichever the case may be. This action may not invalidate any waivers granted under Section 7072. (d) If the board issues a deficiency determination under conditions described in subdivision (c), the board may issue that deficiency determination within 10 years from the last day of the calendar month following the quarterly period for which the amount is proposed to be determined. (e) The application required under paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) shall be in the form and manner specified by the board, but in no case shall a mere payment of any taxes and interest due, in whole or in part, for any period otherwise eligible for amnesty under this part, be deemed to constitute an acceptable amnesty application under this part. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the application of a refund from one period to offset a tax liability for another period otherwise eligible for amnesty shall not be allowed without the filing of an amnesty application under this part.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 7074. Section 7074.

(a) Except for taxpayers who have entered into an installment payment agreement pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 7073, there shall be added to the tax for each period for which amnesty could have been requested: (1) For amounts that are due and payable on the last date of the amnesty period, an amount equal to 50 percent of the accrued interest payable under Section 6591 for the period beginning on the date in which the tax was due and ending on the last day of the amnesty period specified in Section 7071. (2) An amount equal to 50 percent of the interest computed under Section 6591 on any final amount, including final deficiencies and self-assessed amounts, for the period beginning on the date in which the tax was due and ending on the last day of the amnesty period specified in Section 7071. (b) The penalty imposed by this section is in addition to any other penalty imposed under this part. (c) Article 2 (commencing with Section 6481) does not apply with respect to the assessment or collection of any penalty imposed by subdivision (a).

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 7075. Section 7075.

Any taxpayer who has an existing installment payment agreement under Section 6832 as of the start of the amnesty program, and who does not participate in the amnesty program, may not be subject to the penalty imposed under Section 7074.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 7076. Section 7076.

The board shall issue forms and instructions and take other actions needed to implement this article. The provisions contained in subdivision (c) of Section 19735, to the extent feasible and practical, shall also apply to the board.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 7077. Section 7077.

The board shall adequately publicize the tax penalty amnesty program so as to maximize public awareness of the participation in the program. The board shall coordinate to the highest degree possible its publicity efforts and other actions taken in implementing this article with similar programs administered by the Franchise Tax Board.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026

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