ARTICLE 3. Deficiency Assessments [19031. - 19067.]

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC 3.
in effect

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19031. Section 19031.

The Franchise Tax Board may proceed under this article or Article 5 (commencing with Section 19081) whether or not it requires a return as an amended return under Section 18622.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19033. Section 19033.

(a) If the Franchise Tax Board determines that the tax disclosed by the taxpayer on an original or amended return, including an amended return reporting federal adjustments pursuant to Section 18622, is less than the tax disclosed by its examination, it shall mail notice to the taxpayer of the deficiency proposed to be assessed. In no case shall the determination of the deficiency be arbitrary or without foundation. (b) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Franchise Tax Board, in connection with the determination described in subdivision (a), shall examine the original or amended return or related electronically stored return data. (2) If the return or return data described in paragraph (1) has been destroyed or cannot be located after reasonable effort, the Franchise Tax Board shall request the taxpayer to provide a paper or electronic copy of the return. If the taxpayer fails to provide a copy within 30 days, which may be extended an additional 30 days for reasonable cause, from the date of the request, paragraph (1) shall not apply. (c) As used in this section, “electronically stored return data” means an electronic record of line items from an original or amended return and accompanying schedules that is routinely created as a return is processed. (d) The amendments to this section made by Chapter 414 of the Statutes of 2000 shall apply to notices of deficiencies proposed to be assessed issued on or after January 1, 2001. (e) The notice described in subdivision (a) shall be mailed in a manner that includes a postmark. For purposes of this subdivision, postmark means a postal marking made on a letter, package, or postcard indicating the date on which the item is delivered to the United States Postal Service. (f) The amendments made to this section by the act adding this subdivision shall apply to notices of deficiencies proposed to be assessed issued on or after January 1, 2008.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19034. Section 19034.

(a) Each notice shall set forth the reasons for the proposed deficiency assessment and the computation thereof. (b) Each notice shall include the date determined by the Franchise Tax Board as the last day on which the taxpayer may file a written protest pursuant to Section 19041. Failure to include this date shall not invalidate a notice that is otherwise valid. (c) The amendments made by the act adding this subdivision shall apply to any notice mailed after December 31, 1999.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19035. Section 19035.

In the case of a joint return filed by spouses, the notice of proposed deficiency assessment may be a single joint notice, except that if the Franchise Tax Board is notified by either spouse that separate residences have been established, it shall mail to each spouse, in lieu of the single joint notice, duplicate originals of the joint notice.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19036. Section 19036.

Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, any interest, penalty or addition to tax, imposed under Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001), Part 11 (commencing with Section 23001), or this part may be assessed and collected in the same manner as if it were a deficiency.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19041. Section 19041.

(a) Within 60 days after the mailing of each notice of proposed deficiency assessment the taxpayer may file with the Franchise Tax Board a written protest against the proposed deficiency assessment, specifying in the protest the grounds upon which it is based. (b) Any protest filed with the Franchise Tax Board on or before the last date specified for filing that protest by the Franchise Tax Board in the notice of proposed deficiency assessment (according to Section 19034) shall be treated as timely filed. (c) The amendments made by the act adding this subdivision shall apply to any notice mailed after December 31, 1999.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19041.5. Section 19041.5.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001), or Part 11 (commencing with Section 23001), the provisions of Section 6603 of the Internal Revenue Code, relating to deposits made to suspend the running of interest on potential underpayments, shall apply, except as otherwise provided. A deposit shall not be considered a payment of tax for purposes of filing a claim for refund pursuant to Section 19306, converting an administrative action to an action on a claim pursuant to Section 19335, or filing an action pursuant to Section 19384, until either of the following occurs: (1) The taxpayer provides a written statement to the Franchise Tax Board specifying that the deposit shall be a payment of tax for purposes of Section 19306, 19335, or 19384. (2) The deposit is used to pay a final tax liability. (b) Section 6603(d) of the Internal Revenue Code is modified to substitute the phrase “notice of proposed deficiency assessment under Article 3 of Chapter 4 of this part” for “30-day letter” in each place that the phrase “30-day letter” appears. (c) In the case of any amount held by the Franchise Tax Board as a deposit in the nature of a cash bond pursuant to the provisions of this section prior to the amendments made by the act adding this subdivision, the date that the taxpayer identifies that amount as a deposit made pursuant to this section, as amended by the act adding this subdivision, shall be treated as the date that the amount is deposited for purposes of this section, as amended by the act adding this subdivision.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19043. Section 19043.

(a) For purposes of this part, “deficiency” means the amount by which the tax imposed by Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001) or Part 11 (commencing with Section 23001) exceeds the excess of— (1) The sum of— (A) The amount shown as the tax by the taxpayer on an original or amended return, if an original or amended return was filed, plus (B) The amounts previously assessed (or collected without assessment) as a deficiency, over— (2) The amount of rebates, as defined in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b), made. (b) For purposes of this section: (1) The tax imposed by Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001) and Part 11 (commencing with Section 23001) and the tax shown on an original or amended return shall both be determined without regard to payments on account of estimated tax, and without regard to the credit under Section 19002. (2) “Rebate” means so much of an abatement, credit, refund, or other repayment, as was made on the ground that the tax imposed by Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001) or Part 11 (commencing with Section 23001) was less than the excess of the amount specified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) over the rebates previously made.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19043.5. Section 19043.5.

(a) (1) If the Franchise Tax Board determines that the amount of a carryover disclosed by the taxpayer on an original or amended return, including an amended return reporting federal adjustments pursuant to Section 18622, is more than the amount of the carryover disclosed by its own examination, it may mail a notice or notices to the taxpayer of the proposed carryover adjustment and the proposed adjusted carryover amount. (2) For purposes of this section, “carryover” means the amount of a credit, loss, deduction, or other item that is shown on an original or amended return for carry forward to a subsequent taxable year. (b) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the provisions of this article applicable to a proposed deficiency assessment shall be applicable to a proposed adjusted carryover amount, including protest and appeal rights as if that proposed adjusted carryover amount were a proposed deficiency assessment. (c) (1) A proposed adjusted carryover amount shall become a final adjusted carryover amount under this section following a determination of the board regarding that proposed adjusted carryover amount that becomes final pursuant to the provisions of Section 19048. (2) A final adjusted carryover amount shall be binding and conclusive with respect to the amount of that carryover for purposes of Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001), this part, and Part 11 (commencing with Section 23001), except in the following circumstances: (A) In the event of fraud, malfeasance, or misrepresentation of a material fact. (B) Subject to any provision of the Revenue and Taxation Code that expressly provides that effect be given to that provision notwithstanding any other law or rule of law. (C) Subject to any law that is, or becomes, operative with respect to a taxable year affected by the final adjusted carryover amount. (D) Subject to any final federal adjustment that is made with respect to the taxpayer’s federal income tax liability for a taxable year affected by the final adjusted carryover amount. (E) In an action brought pursuant to provisions of Section 19382. (d) (1) In any case where there is a final adjusted carryover amount with respect to a carryover, the taxpayer shall report that final adjusted carryover amount on an original or amended return for any subsequent year. (2) If a taxpayer fails to comply with paragraph (1), then any adjustment required to make the amount of the carryover shown on the return for any year consistent with the final adjusted carryover amount shall be treated as arising out of a mathematical error and assessed and collected under Section 19051. (e) Except as provided in subdivision (c), this section shall not affect the determination, issuance, assessment, collection, or validity of a deficiency assessment under this part.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19044. Section 19044.

(a) If a protest is filed, the Franchise Tax Board shall reconsider the assessment of the deficiency and, if the taxpayer has so requested in his or her protest, shall grant the taxpayer or his or her authorized representatives an oral hearing. Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 11400) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code does not apply to a hearing under this subdivision. (b) The Franchise Tax Board may act on the protest in whole or in part. In the event the Franchise Tax Board acts on the protest in part only, the remaining part of the protest shall continue to be under protest until the Franchise Tax Board acts on that part.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19045. Section 19045.

(a) The Franchise Tax Board’s action upon the protest, whether in whole or in part, is final upon the expiration of 30 days from the date when it mails notice of its action to the taxpayer, unless within that 30-day period the taxpayer appeals in writing from the action of the Franchise Tax Board to the board. (b) (1) The Franchise Tax Board’s notice of action upon protest shall include the date determined by the Franchise Tax Board as the last day on which the taxpayer may file an appeal with the board. (2) Any appeal to the board filed by the taxpayer on or before the date for filing an appeal specified in the notice (pursuant to paragraph (1)) shall be treated as timely filed. (c) This section shall apply to any notice mailed after December 31, 1999.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19046. Section 19046.

Two copies of the appeal and two copies of any supporting documents shall be addressed and mailed to the State Board of Equalization at Sacramento, California. Upon receipt of the appeal, the board shall provide one copy of the appeal and one copy of any supporting documents to the Franchise Tax Board at Sacramento, California.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19047. Section 19047.

The board shall hear and determine the appeal and thereafter shall forthwith notify the taxpayer and the Franchise Tax Board of its determination and the reasons therefor.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19048. Section 19048.

The board’s determination becomes final upon the expiration of 30 days from the time of the determination unless within the 30-day period the taxpayer or the Franchise Tax Board files a petition for rehearing with the board. In that event the determination becomes final upon the expiration of 30 days from the time the board issues its opinion on the petition.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19049. Section 19049.

(a) When a deficiency is determined and the assessment becomes final, the Franchise Tax Board shall mail notice and demand to the taxpayer for the payment thereof. The deficiency assessed is due and payable at the expiration of 15 days from the date of the notice and demand. (b) The amendments made by Chapter 600 of the Statutes of 1997 are operative for notices issued on or after January 1, 1998. (c) The notice described in subdivision (a) shall be mailed in a manner that includes a postmark. For purposes of this subdivision, postmark means a postal marking made on a letter, package, or postcard indicating the date on which the item is delivered to the United States Postal Service. (d) The amendments made to this section by the act adding this subdivision are operative for notices issued on or after January 1, 2008.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19050. Section 19050.

A certificate by the Franchise Tax Board or of the board, as the case may be, of the mailing of the notices specified in this article is prima facie evidence of the assessment of the deficiency and of the giving of the notices.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19051. Section 19051.

Any amount of tax in excess of that disclosed by the return, due to a mathematical error, notice of which has been mailed to the taxpayer, is not a deficiency assessment. The taxpayer has no right of protest or appeal based on that notice; however, the amount of tax erroneously omitted in the return may be assessed and collected in the manner provided in this part as in the case of deficiency assessments.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19052. Section 19052.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this part to the contrary, adjustments to refundable credits (including credits claimed on or after January 1, 2001, in accordance with Section 17052.6) may be made pursuant to Section 19054, and claimants shall have the right to claim a refund of adjusted amounts within the period provided in Section 19306, 19307, 19308, or 19311, whichever period expires later.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19054. Section 19054.

(a) If on any return or claim for refund of taxes imposed under Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001) or Part 11 (commencing with Section 23001), there is an overstatement of the credit for income tax withheld, or of the amount paid as estimated income tax, the amount so overstated which is allowed against the tax shown on the return or which is allowed as a credit or refund may be assessed by the Franchise Tax Board in the same manner as is provided by Section 19051 in the case of a mathematical error appearing on the return. (b) No unpaid amount of estimated tax under Section 19025 or 19136 shall be assessed.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19057. Section 19057.

(a) Except in the case of a false or fraudulent return and except as otherwise expressly provided in this part, every notice of a proposed deficiency assessment shall be mailed to the taxpayer within four years after the return was filed. No deficiency shall be assessed or collected with respect to the year for which the return was filed unless the notice is mailed within the four-year period or the period otherwise provided. For purposes of this chapter, the term “return” means the return required to be filed by the taxpayer and does not include a return of any person from whom the taxpayer has received an item of income, gain, loss, deduction, or credit. (b) The running of the period of limitations provided in subdivision (a) on mailing a notice of proposed deficiency assessment shall, in a case under Title 11 of the United States Code, be suspended for any period during which the Franchise Tax Board is prohibited by reason of that case from mailing the notice of proposed deficiency assessment and for 60 days thereafter. (c) Where, within the 60-day period ending on the day on which the time prescribed in this section for the assessment of any tax imposed under Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001) or Part 11 (commencing with Section 23001) for any taxable year would otherwise expire, the Franchise Tax Board receives a written document, other than an amended return or a report required by Section 18622, signed by the taxpayer showing that the taxpayer owes an additional amount of that tax for that taxable year, the period for the assessment of an additional amount in excess of the amount shown on either an original or amended return shall not expire before the day 60 days after the day on which the Franchise Tax Board receives that document. (d) If a taxpayer determines in good faith that it is an exempt organization and files a return as an exempt organization under Section 23772, and if the taxpayer is thereafter held to be a taxable organization for the taxable year for which the return is filed, that return shall be deemed the return of the organization for the purposes of this section.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19058. Section 19058.

(a) If the taxpayer omits from gross income an amount properly includable therein which is in excess of 25 percent of the amount of gross income stated in the return, a notice of a proposed deficiency assessment may be mailed to the taxpayer within six years after the return was filed. Additionally, in the case of a corporation, a proceeding in court for the collection of the tax may be commenced without assessment at any time within six years after the return was filed. (b) For purposes of this section, all of the following shall apply: (1) In the case of a trade or business, the term “gross income” means the total of the amounts received or accrued from the sale of goods or services (if the amounts are required to be shown on the return) prior to diminution by the cost of the sales or service. (2) An understatement of gross income by reason of an overstatement of unrecovered cost or other basis is an omission from gross income. (3) In determining the amount omitted from gross income, other than in the case of an overstatement of unrecovered cost or other basis, there shall not be taken into account any amount which is omitted from gross income stated in the return if the amount is disclosed in the return, or in a statement attached to the return, in a manner adequate to apprise the Franchise Tax Board of the nature and amount of the item.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19059. Section 19059.

(a) If a taxpayer is required by subdivision (a) of Section 18622 to report a change or correction by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue or other officer of the United States or other competent authority and does report the change or correction within six months after the final federal determination, or the Internal Revenue Service reports that change or correction within six months after the final federal determination, a notice of proposed deficiency assessment resulting from those adjustments may be mailed to the taxpayer within two years from the date when the notice is filed with the Franchise Tax Board by the taxpayer or the Internal Revenue Service, or within the periods provided in Section 19057, 19058, or 19065, whichever period expires later. (b) If a taxpayer is required by subdivision (b) of Section 18622 to file an amended return and does file the return within six months of filing an amended return with the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, a notice of proposed deficiency assessment in excess of the self-assessed tax on the amended return, and resulting from the adjustments may be mailed to the taxpayer within two years from the date when the amended return is filed with the Franchise Tax Board by the taxpayer, or within the periods provided in Section 19057, 19058, or 19065, whichever period expires later.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19060. Section 19060.

(a) If a taxpayer fails to report a change or correction by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue or other officer of the United States or other competent authority or fails to file an amended return as required by Section 18622, a notice of proposed deficiency assessment resulting from the adjustment may be mailed to the taxpayer at any time. (b) If, after the six-month period required in Section 18622, a taxpayer or the Internal Revenue Service reports a change or correction by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue or other officer of the United States or other competent authority or files an amended return as required by Section 18622, a notice of proposed deficiency assessment resulting from the adjustment may be mailed to the taxpayer within four years from the date the taxpayer or the Internal Revenue Service notifies the Franchise Tax Board of that change or correction or files that return.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19061. Section 19061.

In case of a deficiency described in Sections 24945 and 24946, and in Sections 1033(a)(2)(C) and 1033(a)(2)(D) of the Internal Revenue Code, the deficiency may be assessed at any time prior to the expiration of the time therein provided.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19063. Section 19063.

(a) In the case of any tax imposed by Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001) or Part 11 (commencing with Section 23001) with respect to any person, the period for assessing a deficiency attributable to any partnership item of a federally registered partnership shall not expire before the later of the following: (1) The date which is five years after the date on which the partnership return of the federally registered partnership for the partnership taxable year in which the item arose was filed (or later, if the date prescribed for filing the return). (2) If the name or address of the person does not appear on the partnership return, the date which is one year after the date on which the information is furnished to the Franchise Tax Board in the manner and at the place as it may prescribe. (b) For purposes of this section, “partnership item” means both of the following: (1) Any item required to be taken into account for the partnership taxable year under any provision of subchapter K of Chapter 1 of Title 26 of the Internal Revenue Code to the extent that regulations prescribed by the Franchise Tax Board provide that for purposes of this part that item is more appropriately determined at the partnership level than at the partner level. (2) Any other item to the extent affected by an item described in paragraph (1). (c) The extensions referred to in subsection (c)(4) of Section 6501 of the Internal Revenue Code, insofar as they relate to partnership items, may, with respect to any person, be consented by either of the following: (1) Except to the extent the Franchise Tax Board is otherwise notified by the partnership, by a general partner of the partnership. (2) By any person authorized to do so by the partnership in writing. (d) For purposes of this section, “federally registered partnership” means, with respect to any partnership taxable year, any partnership for which either of the following apply: (1) Interests have been offered for sale at any time during that taxable year or a prior taxable year in any offering required to be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. (2) At any time during that taxable year or a prior taxable year, was subject to the annual reporting requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission which relate to the protection of investors in the partnership.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19064. Section 19064.

(a) If any person initiates a motion to quash a subpoena, as provided by Sections 7465 to 7476, inclusive, of the Government Code, and that person is the person with respect to whose liability the subpoena is issued (or is the agent, nominee, or other person acting under the direction or control of that person), then the running of any period of limitations under Section 19057 (relating to deficiency assessments), Section 19087 (relating to false or fraudulent returns), or Section 19704 (relating to criminal prosecutions) with respect to that person shall be suspended for the period during which a proceeding, and appeals therein, with respect to the enforcement of the subpoena is pending. (b) In the absence of the resolution of the subpoenaed person’s response to a subpoena issued under Section 19504 (power of examination), the running of any period of limitations under Section 19057 (relating to deficiency assessments), Section 19087 (relating to false or fraudulent returns), or Section 19704 (relating to criminal prosecutions) with respect to any person whose liability the subpoena was issued (other than a person taking action as provided by subdivision (a)) shall be suspended for the period beginning on the date which is six months after the service of the subpoena and ending with the final resolution of that response. (c) The amendments made by the act adding this subdivision are operative for any subpoena served after the effective date of the act adding this subdivision.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19065. Section 19065.

If any taxpayer agrees with the United States Commissioner of Internal Revenue for an extension or renewals thereof of the period for proposing and assessing deficiencies in federal income taxes for any year, the period for mailing a notice of a proposed deficiency shall be four years after the return was filed or six months after the date of the expiration of the agreed period for assessing deficiencies in the federal income tax, whichever period expires the later.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19066. Section 19066.

(a) For the purposes of Sections 19057, 19058, and 19065, a return of tax imposed under Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001) or Part 11 (commencing with Section 23001) except a return required by Article 5 (commencing with Section 18661) of Chapter 2 (relating to withholding), filed before the last day prescribed by law for filing (determined without regard to any extension of time for filing the return), shall be considered as filed on that day. For purposes of Section 19306, payment of any portion of the tax made before the last day prescribed for the payment of the tax shall be considered made on the last day. (b) For purposes of this section, if a return required by Article 5 (commencing with Section 18661) of Chapter 2 (relating to withholding) or a return of tax imposed by Section 13020 of the Unemployment Insurance Code (relating to withholding tax on wages), for any period ending with or within a calendar year is filed before April 15 of the succeeding calendar year, that return shall be considered filed on April 15 of that calendar year.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19066.5. Section 19066.5.

In the case of any information that is required to be reported to the Franchise Tax Board under Section 19141.2 or 19141.5, the time for assessment of any tax imposed by Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001), Part 11 (commencing with Section 23001), or this part with respect to any event or period to which that information relates shall not expire before the date that is four years after the date on which the Franchise Tax Board is furnished the information required to be reported under Section 19141.2 or 19141.5, or within the periods provided in Section 19057, 19058, 19059, 19060, 19065, 24945, 24946, Section 1033(a)(2)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code, or Section 1033(a)(2)(D) of the Internal Revenue Code, whichever period expires later.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19067. Section 19067.

(a) Where before the expiration of the time prescribed for the mailing of a notice of a proposed deficiency assessment, the taxpayer consents in writing to an assessment after that time, the assessment may be made at any time prior to the expiration of the period agreed upon. The period agreed upon may be extended by subsequent agreements in writing made before the expiration of the period previously agreed upon. (b) The Franchise Tax Board shall notify the taxpayer of the taxpayer’s right to refuse to extend the expiration of the time prescribed for the mailing of a notice of a proposed deficiency assessment, or to limit that extension to a particular period of time, on each occasion when the taxpayer is requested to provide the taxpayer’s consent. (c) The amendments made by the act adding this subdivision shall apply to any request to extend the expiration of the time prescribed for the mailing of a notice of a proposed deficiency assessment made after December 31, 2000.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026

Starting a business in California? California LLC guide: costs and requirements