ARTICLE 1. Powers and Duties of Franchise Tax Board [19501. - 19533.]

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC 1.

in effect

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19501. Section 19501.

The Franchise Tax Board shall administer and enforce Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001), Part 10.7 (commencing with Section 21001), Part 11 (commencing with Section 23001), and this part. For this purpose, it may divide the state into a reasonable number of districts, in each of which a branch office or offices may be maintained during all or part of the time as may be necessary.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19502. Section 19502.

In the establishment of the districts and offices, the Franchise Tax Board shall give due consideration to the matter of economy of administration and service to the taxpayers.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19503. Section 19503.

(a) The Franchise Tax Board shall prescribe all rules and regulations necessary for the enforcement of Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001), Part 10.7 (commencing with Section 21001), Part 11 (commencing with Section 23001), and this part and may prescribe the extent to which any ruling (including any judicial decision or any administrative determination other than by regulation) shall be applied without retroactive effect. (b) (1) Except as otherwise provided in this subdivision, no regulation relating to Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001), Part 10.7 (commencing with Section 21001), Part 11 (commencing with Section 23001), or this part shall apply to any taxable year ending before the date on which any notice substantially describing the expected contents of any regulation is issued to the public. (2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to either of the following: (A) Regulations issued within 24 months of the date of the enactment of the statutory provision to which the regulation relates. (B) Regulations issued within 24 months of the date that temporary or final federal regulations with respect to statutory provisions to which California conforms are filed with the Federal Register. (3) The Franchise Tax Board may provide that any regulation may take effect or apply retroactively to prevent abuse. (4) The Franchise Tax Board may provide that any regulation may apply retroactively to correct a procedural defect in the issuance of any prior regulation. (5) The limitation of paragraph (1) shall not apply to any regulation relating to the Franchise Tax Board’s policies, practices, or procedures. (6) The limitation of paragraph (1) may be superseded by a legislative grant of authority to the Franchise Tax Board to prescribe the effective date with respect to any regulation. (7) The Franchise Tax Board may provide for any taxpayer to elect to apply any regulation before the dates specified in paragraph (1). (c) The amendments made by the act adding this subdivision are operative with respect to regulations which relate to California statutory provisions enacted on or after January 1, 1998.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19504. Section 19504.

(a) The Franchise Tax Board, for the purpose of administering its duties under this part, including ascertaining the correctness of any return; making a return where none has been made; determining or collecting the liability of any person in respect of any liability imposed by Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001), Part 11 (commencing with Section 23001), or this part (or the liability at law or in equity of any transferee in respect of that liability); shall have the power to require by demand, that an entity of any kind including, but not limited to, employers, persons, or financial institutions provide information or make available for examination or copying at a specified time and place, or both, any book, papers, or other data which may be relevant to that purpose. Any demand to a financial institution shall comply with the California Right to Financial Privacy Act set forth in Chapter 20 (commencing with Section 7460) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code. Information that may be required upon demand includes, but is not limited to, any of the following: (1) Addresses and telephone numbers of persons designated by the Franchise Tax Board. (2) Information contained on Federal Form W-2 (Wage and Tax Statement), Federal Form W-4 (Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate), or State Form DE-4 (Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate). (b) The Franchise Tax Board may require the attendance of the taxpayer or of any other person having knowledge in the premises and may take testimony and require material proof for its information and administer oaths to carry out this part. (c) (1) The Franchise Tax Board may issue subpoenas or subpoenas duces tecum, which subpoenas must be signed by any member of the Franchise Tax Board, and may be served on any person for any purpose. (2) For taxpayers that have been contacted by the Franchise Tax Board regarding the use of an abusive tax avoidance transaction, as defined in Section 19777, the subpoena may be signed by any member of the Franchise Tax Board, the Executive Officer of the Franchise Tax Board, or any designee. (d) Obedience to subpoenas or subpoenas duces tecum issued in accordance with this section may be enforced by application to the superior court as set forth in Article 2 (commencing with Section 11180) of Chapter 2 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code. (e) When examining a return, the Franchise Tax Board shall not use financial status or economic reality examination techniques to determine the existence of unreported income of any taxpayer unless the Franchise Tax Board has a reasonable indication that there is a likelihood of unreported income. This subdivision applies to any examination beginning on or after October 10, 1999. (f) The amendments made to this section by the act adding this subdivision shall apply to subpoenas issued on or after the effective date of the act adding this subdivision.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19504.5. Section 19504.5.

(a) (1) Except as provided in subdivision (b), no subpoena may be issued under this part and the Franchise Tax Board may not begin any action under Article 2 (commencing with Section 1180) of Chapter 2 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code to enforce any subpoena to produce or analyze any tax-related computer software source code. (2) Any software and related materials that are provided to the Franchise Tax Board under this part shall be subject to the safeguards under subdivision (c). (b) (1) Paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) shall not apply to any portion, item, or component of the tax-related computer software source code if all of the following apply: (A) The Franchise Tax Board is unable to otherwise reasonably ascertain the correctness of any item on a return from either of the following: (i) The taxpayer’s books, papers, records, or other data. (ii) The computer software executable code (and any modifications thereof) to which the source code relates and any associated data which, when executed, produces the output to ascertain the correctness of the item. (B) The Franchise Tax Board identifies with reasonable specificity the portion, item, or component of the source code needed to verify the correctness of the item on the return. (C) The Franchise Tax Board determines that the need for the portion, item, or component of the source code with respect to the item outweighs the risks of unauthorized disclosure of trade secrets. (2) Paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) shall not apply to any of the following: (A) Any inquiry into any offense connected with the administration or enforcement of this part, Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001), Part 10.7 (commencing with Section 21001), or Part 11 (commencing with Section 23001). (B) Any tax-related computer software source code acquired or developed by the taxpayer or related person primarily for internal use by the taxpayer or that person rather than for commercial distribution. (C) Any communications between the owner of the tax-related computer software source code and the taxpayer or related persons. (D) Any tax-related computer software source code which is required to be provided or made available pursuant to any other provision of this part, Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001), Part 10.7 (commencing with Section 21001), or Part 11 (commencing with Section 23001). (3) For purposes of paragraph (1), the Franchise Tax Board shall be treated as meeting the requirements of subparagraphs (A) and (B) of that paragraph if all of the following apply: (A) The Franchise Tax Board determines that it is not feasible to determine the correctness of an item without access to the computer software executable code and associated data described in clause (ii) of subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1). (B) The Franchise Tax Board makes a formal request to the taxpayer for the code and data and to the owner of the computer software source code for the executable code. (C) The code and data are not provided within 180 days of that request. (4) In any proceeding brought under Article 2 (commencing with Section 1180) of Chapter 2 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code to enforce a subpoena issued under the authority of this subdivision, the court shall, at the request of any party, hold a hearing to determine whether the applicable requirements of this section have been met. (c) (1) In any court proceeding to enforce a subpoena for any portion of software, the court may receive evidence and issue any order necessary to prevent the disclosure of trade secrets or other confidential information with respect to that software, including requiring that any information be placed under seal to be opened only as directed by the court. (2) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, and in addition to any protections ordered pursuant to paragraph (1), in the case of software that comes into the possession or control of the Franchise Tax Board in the course of any examination with respect to any taxpayer, all of the following shall apply: (A) The software may be used only in connection with the examination of that taxpayer’s return, any protest or appeal by the taxpayer, any judicial proceeding and any appeals therefrom, or any inquiry into any offense connected with the administration or enforcement of this part, Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001), Part 10.7 (commencing with Section 21001), or Part 11 (commencing with Section 23001). (B) The Franchise Tax Board shall provide, in advance, to the taxpayer and the owner of the software a written list of the names of all individuals who will analyze or otherwise have access to the software. (C) (i) The software shall be maintained in a secure area or place, and in the case of computer software source code, shall not be removed from the owner’s place of business unless the owner permits, or a court orders, that removal. (ii) For purposes of clause (i), the owner shall make available any necessary equipment or materials for analysis of computer software source code required to be conducted on the owner’s premises. (D) The software may not be copied except as necessary to perform an analysis, and the Franchise Tax Board shall number all copies made and certify in writing that no other copies have been or will be made. (E) At the end of the period during which the software may be used under subparagraph (A), both of the following apply: (i) The software and all copies thereof shall be returned to the person from whom they were obtained and any copies thereof made under subparagraph (D) on the hard drive of a machine or other mass storage device shall be permanently deleted. (ii) The Franchise Tax Board shall obtain from any person who analyzes or otherwise had access to that software a written certification under penalty of perjury that all copies and related materials have been returned and that no copies were made of them. (F) The software may not be decompiled or disassembled. (G) (i) The Franchise Tax Board shall provide to the taxpayer and the owner of any interest in the software, as the case may be, a written agreement, between the Franchise Tax Board and any person who is not an officer or employee of the State of California and who will analyze or otherwise have access to that software, which provides that the person agrees not to do either of the following: (I) Disclose the software to any person other than persons to whom the information could be disclosed for tax administration purposes under Section 19542. (II) Participate for two years in the development of software which is intended for a similar purpose as the software examined. (ii) The owner of any interest in the software shall be considered a party to any agreement described in clause (i). (H) The software shall be treated as return information for purposes of Section 19542. (d) For purposes of this section: (1) “Software” includes computer software source code and computer software executable code. (2) “Computer software source code” means all of the following: (A) The code written by a programmer using a programming language which is comprehensible to appropriately trained persons and is not capable of directly being used to give instructions to a computer. (B) Related programmers’ notes, design documents, memoranda, and similar documentation. (C) Related customer communications. (3) “Computer software executable code” means both of the following: (A) Any object code, machine code, or other code readable by a computer when loaded into its memory and used directly by the computer to execute instructions. (B) Any related user manuals. (4) “Owner” includes, with respect to any software, the developer of the software. (5) A person shall be treated as related to another person if the persons are related persons under Section 267 or 707(b) of the Internal Revenue Code. (6) “Tax-related computer software source code” means the computer source code for any computer software program intended for accounting, tax return preparation or compliance, or tax planning. (e) This section and Section 19542.3 shall not apply to any software acquired or developed for internal use by the Franchise Tax Board. (f) This section shall apply to subpoenas issued, and software acquired, after the effective date of the act adding this section. In the case of any software acquired on or before the effective date of the act adding this section, the requirements of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) shall apply after the 90th day after the effective date of the act adding this section. The preceding sentence shall not apply to the requirement under clause (ii) of subparagraph (G) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (c).

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19504.7. Section 19504.7.

(a) An officer or employee of the Franchise Tax Board may not contact any person other than the taxpayer with respect to the determination or collection of the tax liability of the taxpayer without providing reasonable notice in advance to the taxpayer that contacts with persons other than the taxpayer may be made. The notice shall explain that a request may be made as provided in subdivision (b). A notice shall be valid for any third-party contacts made during the 12 months following the date of the notice. For any third-party contacts made after the expiration of the 12 months, an additional preliminary notice must be provided. This subdivision shall not apply if mail to the same address is returned undeliverable with no forwarding address. The notice shall not be required if the unpaid tax for which notice would otherwise be required under this paragraph is consolidated for collection purposes with a preexisting unpaid tax for which notice has been given under this paragraph with respect to that described preexisting unpaid tax of the person. (b) The Franchise Tax Board shall provide, upon request from the taxpayer, a record of persons contacted during that 12-month period by the Franchise Tax Board with respect to the determination or collection of the tax liability of the taxpayer. The taxpayer’s request shall be made no later than 60 days after the 12-month period has expired. (c) This section shall not apply: (1) To any contact which the taxpayer has authorized. (2) If the Franchise Tax Board determines for good cause shown that the notice would jeopardize collection of any tax or the notice may involve reprisal against any person. (3) With respect to any pending criminal investigation. (d) This section shall be operative for contacts made after 180 days after the effective date of the act adding this section.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19505. Section 19505.

The Franchise Tax Board may appoint and remove, in the manner provided by law, those officers, agents, branch office income tax deputies, and other employees as it deems necessary. They shall have the duties and powers as the Franchise Tax Board from time to time prescribes.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19506. Section 19506.

The Franchise Tax Board may appoint one or more deputies or assistants to conduct hearings, prescribe regulations, or perform any other duty imposed by this part or other laws of the state upon the Franchise Tax Board.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19507. Section 19507.

Any temporary appointments of branch office income tax deputies and other branch office employees shall be made from eligible residents of the district in which the branch office is located.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19508. Section 19508.

The salaries of the personnel required by the Franchise Tax Board shall be such as it may prescribe, in the manner provided by law, and the Franchise Tax Board and its personnel shall be allowed reasonable and necessary traveling and other expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19509. Section 19509.

The Franchise Tax Board may require officers, agents, deputies, and other employees designated by it to give bond for the faithful performance of their duties in the sum and with the sureties as it may determine. It shall pay all premiums on the bonds out of moneys appropriated for the administration of this part.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19511. Section 19511.

The Franchise Tax Board and officers and employees designated by it may administer an oath to any person or take the acknowledgment of any person in respect of any return or report required by this part or the rules and regulations of the Franchise Tax Board.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19512. Section 19512.

Any person acting in a fiduciary capacity shall assume the duties and, upon giving notice to the Franchise Tax Board, shall assume the rights and privileges of the taxpayers in respect of any tax, additions to tax, penalties, and interest imposed by Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001), Part 11 (commencing with Section 23001), or this part except as otherwise specifically provided, until he or she gives notice that his or her fiduciary has terminated. He or she shall give notice under this section pursuant to rules and regulations prescribed by the Franchise Tax Board.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19516. Section 19516.

Every fiduciary who pays in whole or in part any claim, other than claims for taxes, expenses of administration, funeral expenses, expenses of last illness, family allowance, or wage claims as defined in Section 11402 of the Probate Code, against the person, estate, or trust for whom or for which the fiduciary acts, or who makes any distribution of the assets of the person, estate, or trust, before satisfaction and payment of taxes, interest, and penalties, except penalties due from a decedent, which are imposed by Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001) or this part on the person, estate, or trust for whom or for which the fiduciary acts, or which constitute a claim against the person, estate, or trust, or which are a lien or charge on or against the assets of the person, estate, or trust, is personally liable to the state for the taxes, interest, and penalties to the extent of the payments and distributions.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19517. Section 19517.

(a) In the case of income received or accrued during the lifetime of a decedent, or by his or her estate during the period of administration, or by a trust, the Franchise Tax Board shall mail notices proposing to assess the tax, and shall commence any proceeding in court without assessment for the collection of the tax, within 18 months after written request therefor (filed after the return is made) by the fiduciary of the estate or trust or by any other person liable for the tax or any portion thereof. (b) After filing a request pursuant to subdivision (a), a fiduciary may consent in writing to waive the limitation prescribed by subdivision (a).

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19518. Section 19518.

(a) The trustee of a trust described in Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code which is exempt from tax under Section 17631 to which contributions have been paid under a plan on behalf of any owner-employee (as defined in Section 401(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code), and each insurance company or other person which is the issuer of a contract purchased by such a trust, or purchased under a plan described in Section 403(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, contributions for which have been paid on behalf of any owner-employee, shall file the returns (in the form and at the times), keep the records, make the identification of contracts and funds (and accounts within the funds), and supply the information, as the Franchise Tax Board shall by forms or regulations prescribe. (b) Every individual on whose behalf contributions have been paid as an owner-employee (as defined in Section 401(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code)— (1) To a trust described in Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code which is exempt from tax under Section 17631, or (2) To an insurance company or other person under a plan described in Section 403(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, shall furnish the trustee, insurance company, or other person, as the case may be, the information at the times and in the form and manner as the Franchise Tax Board shall prescribe by forms or regulations.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19519. Section 19519.

The Franchise Tax Board shall transmit to the Director of Employment Development claims for credit or refund allowed pursuant to Section 17061 of this code and subdivision (a) of Section 1176.5 of the Unemployment Insurance Code.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19520. Section 19520.

Unless otherwise specifically provided, if a provision of law, including Section 1088.5 and Section 1088.8 of the Unemployment Insurance Code, authorizes the use of information for tax enforcement purposes, the term “tax enforcement” includes the collection of any amount referred to the Franchise Tax Board for collection under a provision of law that authorizes the Franchise Tax Board to collect that amount in the same manner as an unpaid tax liability is collected by the Franchise Tax Board.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19521. Section 19521.

(a) The rate established under this section (referred to in other code sections as “the adjusted annual rate”) shall be determined in accordance with Section 6621 of the Internal Revenue Code, except that: (1) (A) For taxpayers other than corporations, the overpayment rate specified in Section 6621(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code shall be modified to be equal to the underpayment rate determined under Section 6621(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code. (B) In the case of any corporation, for purposes of determining interest on overpayments for periods beginning before July 1, 2002, the overpayment rate specified in Section 6621(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code shall be modified to be equal to the underpayment rate determined under Section 6621(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code. (C) In the case of any corporation, for purposes of determining interest on overpayments for periods beginning on or after July 1, 2002, the overpayment rate specified in Section 6621(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code shall be modified to be the lesser of 5 percent or the bond equivalent rate of 13-week United States Treasury bills, determined as follows: (i) The bond equivalent rate of 13-week United States Treasury bills established at the first auction held during the month of January shall be utilized in determining the appropriate rate for the following July 1 to December 31, inclusive. Any such rate shall be rounded to the nearest full percent (or, if a multiple of one-half of 1 percent, that rate shall be increased to the next highest full percent). (ii) The bond equivalent rate of 13-week United States Treasury bills established at the first auction held during the month of July shall be utilized in determining the appropriate rate for the following January 1 to June 30, inclusive. Any such rate shall be rounded to the nearest full percent (or, if a multiple of one-half of 1 percent, that rate shall be increased to the next highest full percent). (2) The determination specified in Section 6621(b) of the Internal Revenue Code shall be modified to be determined semiannually as follows: (A) The rate for January shall apply during the following July through December, and (B) The rate for July shall apply during the following January through June. (b) (1) For purposes of this part, Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001), Part 11 (commencing with Section 23001), Part 32 (commencing with Section 61000), Title 25 (commencing with Section 100800) of the Government Code, and any other provision of law referencing this method of computation, in computing the amount of any interest required to be paid by the state or by the taxpayer, or any other amount determined by reference to that amount of interest, that interest and that amount shall be compounded daily. (2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply for purposes of computing the amount of any addition to tax under Section 19136 or 19142. (c) Section 6621(c) of the Internal Revenue Code, relating to increase in underpayment rate for large corporate underpayments, is modified as follows: (1) The applicable date shall be the 30th day after the earlier of either of the following: (A) The date on which the proposed deficiency assessment is issued. (B) The date on which the notice and demand is sent. (2) This subdivision shall apply for purposes of determining interest for periods after December 31, 1991. (3) Section 6621(c)(2)(B)(iii) of the Internal Revenue Code shall apply for purposes of determining interest for periods after December 31, 1998. (d) Section 6621(d) of the Internal Revenue Code, relating to the elimination of interest on overlapping periods of tax overpayments and underpayments, shall not apply.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19522. Section 19522.

(a) (1) (A) On or before the 10th of January each year, the Franchise Tax Board shall submit to the Legislature a report on all changes to the Internal Revenue Code enacted into law in the prior year. To the extent possible, the report shall contain an estimate of the revenue effect of conforming California law to each of those changes. (B) In the event that changes to the Internal Revenue Code are enacted after September 15 of any year, the report described in subparagraph (A) shall be submitted to the Legislature within 120 days after signature by the President of the United States, rather than the 10th of January. (2) The report required by this section shall be made available to the public. (3) It is the intent of the Legislature that the policy committee of each house of the Legislature hold at least one public hearing on the report required by this section. (b) For any introduced bill which proposes changes in any of the dates in Section 17024.5, the Franchise Tax Board shall prepare a complete analysis of the bill which describes all changes to state law which will automatically occur by reference to federal law as of the changed date. The Franchise Tax Board shall immediately update and supplement that analysis upon any amendment to the bill. That analysis shall be made available to the public and shall be submitted to the Legislature for publication in the daily journal of each house of the Legislature. The digest of the Legislative Counsel shall indicate that an analysis of the bill shall be prepared by the Franchise Tax Board and printed in the daily journal of each house of the Legislature.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19523. Section 19523.

If the Secretary of the Treasury has, under the authority of Section 330(c) of Title 31 of the United States Code: (a) Assessed a penalty under Section 6701(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, and (b) Provided that appraisals by an appraiser shall not have any probative effect in any administrative proceeding before the Department of the Treasury or the Internal Revenue Service, and (c) Barred that appraiser from presenting evidence or testimony in that proceeding, then appraisals by that person shall be presumed to have no probative effect in any administrative proceeding before the State Board of Equalization or the Franchise Tax Board.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19523.5. Section 19523.5.

(a) If the United States Secretary of the Treasury has, under the authority of Section 330(b) of Subchapter II of Chapter 3 of Subtitle 1 of Title 31 of the United States Code, suspended or disbarred a person from practice before the United States Department of the Treasury, the Franchise Tax Board shall, after notice and opportunity for a proceeding, suspend or disbar that person from practice before the Franchise Tax Board during the period of federal suspension or disbarment, unless the action of the United State Secretary of the Treasury was clearly erroneous. (b) For purposes of this section, both of the following definitions apply: (1) “Practice” or “practices” means all matters connected with a presentation to the Franchise Tax Board or any of its officers or employees relating to a taxpayer’s rights, privileges, or liabilities under laws or regulations administered by the Franchise Tax Board. (2) “Presentations” means, but is not limited to, preparing and filing documents, corresponding and communicating with the Franchise Tax Board, and representing a client at conferences, hearings, and meetings. (c) (1) Every person who practices before the Franchise Tax Board and is suspended or disbarred from practice before the United States Department of the Treasury shall notify the Franchise Tax Board, in writing, within 45 days of the issuance of a final order disbarring or suspending the person pursuant to Section 10.80 of Subpart D of Part 10 of Subtitle A of Title 31 of the Code of Federal Regulations, revised as of July 26, 2002. (2) Any person that fails to notify the Franchise Tax Board pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be subject to a penalty of five thousand dollars ($5,000). (d) The written notice required by subdivision (c) shall concede the accuracy of the federal action, or state the reason or reasons why the federal action is clearly erroneous. (e) Any person that has been suspended or disbarred from practice before the Franchise Tax Board may seek review of that determination by bringing an action pursuant to Section 1085 of the Code of Civil Procedure. (f) The Franchise Tax Board may prescribe any regulations necessary to carry out the purposes of this section. (g) This section shall be effective for final federal orders of disbarment or suspension issued on or after the enactment date of this act.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19525. Section 19525.

The Franchise Tax Board, under regulations prescribed by the Franchise Tax Board, may establish a reward program for information resulting in the identification of underreported or unreported income subject to taxes imposed by Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001) or Part 11 (commencing with Section 23001). Any reward may not exceed 10 percent of the taxes collected as a result of the information provided. Any person employed by or under contract with any state or federal tax collection agency shall not be eligible for a reward provided for pursuant to this section.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19526. Section 19526.

The Franchise Tax Board shall develop and maintain a taxpayer cross-reference file which shall be used as a part of a nonwage earner filing enforcement program. The taxpayer cross-reference file may include information from taxpayer identification information available from tax returns, application forms, other documents, and any other files as already exist and are maintained by the state’s major revenue agencies. The taxpayer cross-reference file shall only be used for the purposes of tax law enforcement and administration.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19528. Section 19528.

(a) Notwithstanding any other law, the Franchise Tax Board may require any board, as defined in Section 22 of the Business and Professions Code, and the State Bar, the Bureau of Real Estate, and the Insurance Commissioner (hereinafter referred to as licensing board) to provide to the Franchise Tax Board the following information with respect to every licensee: (1) Name. (2) Address or addresses of record. (3) Federal employer identification number, if the licensee is a partnership, or the licensee’s individual taxpayer identification number or social security number of all other licensees. (4) Type of license. (5) Effective date of license or renewal. (6) Expiration date of license. (7) Whether license is active or inactive, if known. (8) Whether license is new or renewal. (b) The Franchise Tax Board may do the following: (1) Send a notice to any licensee failing to provide the federal employer identification number, individual taxpayer identification number, or social security number as required by subdivision (a) of Section 30 of the Business and Professions Code and subdivision (a) of Section 1666.5 of the Insurance Code, describing the information that was missing, the penalty associated with not providing it, and that failure to provide the information within 30 days will result in the assessment of the penalty. (2) After 30 days following the issuance of the notice described in paragraph (1), assess a one-hundred-dollar ($100) penalty, due and payable upon notice and demand, for any licensee failing to provide either its federal employer identification number (if the licensee is a partnership) or the licensee’s individual taxpayer identification number or social security number (for all others) as required in Section 30 of the Business and Professions Code and Section 1666.5 of the Insurance Code. (c) Notwithstanding Division 10 (commencing with Section 7920.000) of Title 1 of the Government Code, the information furnished to the Franchise Tax Board pursuant to Section 30 of the Business and Professions Code or Section 1666.5 of the Insurance Code shall not be deemed to be a public record and shall not be open to the public for inspection.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19529. Section 19529.

The Franchise Tax Board shall notify the Registrar of Contractors of the Contractors State License Board, the Director of Employment Development, the Economic and Employment Enforcement Coalition, and the Joint Enforcement Strike Force on the Underground Economy upon the arraignment of or the filing of criminal charges against any individual for a violation of Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 19701) of this Part if that individual engages in the business or acts in the capacity of a contractor within this state pursuant to a license issued by the Contractors State License Board or if that individual unlawfully engages in the business or acts in the capacity of a contractor within this state without having a license therefor.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19530. Section 19530.

The Franchise Tax Board shall preserve reports and tax returns for three years from the due dates thereof and thereafter until it orders them to be destroyed. Information returns and other documents filed pursuant to Article 4 (commencing with Section 18631) or Article 5 (commencing with Section 18661) of Chapter 2 shall be preserved until the Franchise Tax Board orders them to be destroyed.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19532. Section 19532.

(a) The Franchise Tax Board may charge fees for its “Tax News” publication and its “California Package X.” The fees shall include preparation and production costs and other related costs, including, but not limited to, the handling of requests, printing, and postage. (b) This section shall not apply to documents distributed to public distribution sites. (c) Fees received under this section shall be handled in accordance with Section 19605.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19533. Section 19533.

(a) In the event the debtor has more than one debt being collected by the Franchise Tax Board and the amount collected by the Franchise Tax Board is insufficient to satisfy the total amount owing, the amount collected shall be applied in the following priority: (1) Payment of any taxes, additions to tax, penalties, interest, fees, or other amounts due and payable under Part 7.5 (commencing with Section 13201), Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001), Part 11 (commencing with Section 23001), Part 32 (commencing with Section 61000), or this part, amounts authorized to be collected under Section 19722 of this code, or payment of advanced premium subsides in excess of the amount allowed under Title 25 (commencing with Section 100800) of the Government Code. (2) Payment of delinquencies collected under Section 10878. (3) Payment of any amounts due that are referred for collection under Article 5.5 (commencing with Section 19280) of Chapter 5. (4) Payment of any delinquencies referred for collection under Article 7 (commencing with Section 19291) of Chapter 5. (b) Notwithstanding the payment priority established by this section, voluntary payments designated by the taxpayer as payment for a personal income tax liability or as a payment on amounts authorized to be collected under Section 19722, shall not be applied pursuant to this priority, but shall instead be applied as designated.

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