New Legislation to Reform the California Tax Appeal System

In light of a number of problems at the California State Board of Equalization (BOE), the California General Assembly has passed legislation that, if enacted, would strip the BOE of all but its constitutionally mandated tax functions. In addition, the legislation would create a new Department of Tax and Fee Administration (DTFA) and a new Office of Tax Appeals (OTA) to assume between the two of them all the other current duties, powers, and responsibilities of the BOE. Some of the changes would be operative as early as July 1, 2017.
Operational Culture
According to legislative findings in the bill, "the board’s operational culture severely impacts its ability to report accurate and reliable information to the public, the administration, and the Legislature."The findings enumerated specific problems with the current board, including:
  • inappropriate intervention by board members in administrative and appeal-related activities;
  • numerous complaints concerning attempts by the board members and their staffs to influence audits, investigations, and collection activities by civil service employees;
  • exertion of undue influence by board members and their staffs that handicapped employees in their efforts to fairly apply the law;
  • routine interference by board members or their staffs that effectively eliminated the ability of the executive director and upper management to operate the organization; and
  • significant errors in the allocation of sales and use tax revenue due to the board’s failure to focus on its core responsibilities.
If signed by the Governor, the legislation would cut back the duties, powers, and responsibilities of the board to various property tax assessment and equalization functions and assessment of taxes on insurers authorized by Article XIII of the state constitution; assessment and collection of excise taxes on alcohol pursuant to Article XX of the state constituted; and the duty to adjust the rate of the motor vehicle fuel tax for the 2018-19 fiscal year (residual responsibilities).
In relation to administrative matters, members of the BOE will not be permitted to appoint, remove, discipline, or issue orders to any BOE employee. BOE members are also prohibited from interfering with or influencing the process of the BOE’s or the DTFA’s legislative analyses, or any other form of technical assistance requested by the governor or the Legislature.
Department of Tax and Fee Administration
Operative July 1, 2017, the DTFA would be the successor to the duties, powers, and responsibilities of the BOE, except for the its residual responsibilities and its ability to conduct appeals hearings. Generally, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, whenever any reference to the BOE appears in any statute, regulation, contract, or other code, with respect to the functions transferred to the DTFA, it will be deemed to refer to the DTFA.
Office of Tax Appeals
Beginning January 1, 2018, the OTA would be the successor to all of the duties, powers, and responsibilities of the BOE necessary or appropriate to conduct appeals hearings, except as those powers relate to the BOE’s residual responsibilities. For purposes of this change, “appeal” means:
  • various types of petitions,
  • an administrative protest,
  • a claim for refund,
  • an appeal from an action by the Franchise Tax Board (FTB),
  • an application, including an application for administrative hearing, and
  • any other item that may be scheduled for a hearing, including requests for relief of taxes, fees, interest, or penalties.
Also beginning January 1, 2018, the BOE would not be permitted to conduct appeals, except as they relate to its residual responsibilities.
A.B. 102, Laws 2017, as sent to enrolling June 15, 2017

Wilsontaxlaw.com  


New Legislation to Reform the California Tax Appeal System

In light of a number of problems at the California State Board of Equalization (BOE), the California General Assembly has passed legislation that, if enacted, would strip the BOE of all but its constitutionally mandated tax functions. In addition, the legislation would create a new Department of Tax and Fee Administration (DTFA) and a new Office of Tax Appeals (OTA) to assume between the two of them all the other current duties, powers, and responsibilities of the BOE. Some of the changes would be operative as early as July 1, 2017.
Operational Culture
According to legislative findings in the bill, "the board’s operational culture severely impacts its ability to report accurate and reliable information to the public, the administration, and the Legislature."The findings enumerated specific problems with the current board, including:
  • inappropriate intervention by board members in administrative and appeal-related activities;
  • numerous complaints concerning attempts by the board members and their staffs to influence audits, investigations, and collection activities by civil service employees;
  • exertion of undue influence by board members and their staffs that handicapped employees in their efforts to fairly apply the law;
  • routine interference by board members or their staffs that effectively eliminated the ability of the executive director and upper management to operate the organization; and
  • significant errors in the allocation of sales and use tax revenue due to the board’s failure to focus on its core responsibilities.
If signed by the Governor, the legislation would cut back the duties, powers, and responsibilities of the board to various property tax assessment and equalization functions and assessment of taxes on insurers authorized by Article XIII of the state constitution; assessment and collection of excise taxes on alcohol pursuant to Article XX of the state constituted; and the duty to adjust the rate of the motor vehicle fuel tax for the 2018-19 fiscal year (residual responsibilities).
In relation to administrative matters, members of the BOE will not be permitted to appoint, remove, discipline, or issue orders to any BOE employee. BOE members are also prohibited from interfering with or influencing the process of the BOE’s or the DTFA’s legislative analyses, or any other form of technical assistance requested by the governor or the Legislature.
Department of Tax and Fee Administration
Operative July 1, 2017, the DTFA would be the successor to the duties, powers, and responsibilities of the BOE, except for the its residual responsibilities and its ability to conduct appeals hearings. Generally, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, whenever any reference to the BOE appears in any statute, regulation, contract, or other code, with respect to the functions transferred to the DTFA, it will be deemed to refer to the DTFA.
Office of Tax Appeals
Beginning January 1, 2018, the OTA would be the successor to all of the duties, powers, and responsibilities of the BOE necessary or appropriate to conduct appeals hearings, except as those powers relate to the BOE’s residual responsibilities. For purposes of this change, “appeal” means:
  • various types of petitions,
  • an administrative protest,
  • a claim for refund,
  • an appeal from an action by the Franchise Tax Board (FTB),
  • an application, including an application for administrative hearing, and
  • any other item that may be scheduled for a hearing, including requests for relief of taxes, fees, interest, or penalties.
Also beginning January 1, 2018, the BOE would not be permitted to conduct appeals, except as they relate to its residual responsibilities.
A.B. 102, Laws 2017, as sent to enrolling June 15, 2017

Wilsontaxlaw.com  


Orange County Bar Association: "Wilson Tax Law Group Named Top Boutique Law Firm"

The Orange County Bar Association has recognized Wilson Tax Law Group's recent selection by the Los Angeles and San Francisco Daily Journals as one of the "Top 20 Boutiques in California for 2016."  See the OCBA announcement.

Orange County Bar Association: "Wilson Tax Law Group Named Top Boutique Law Firm"

The Orange County Bar Association has recognized Wilson Tax Law Group's recent selection by the Los Angeles and San Francisco Daily Journals as one of the "Top 20 Boutiques in California for 2016."  See the OCBA announcement.

The Newport Beach Tax Attorney Blog : Wilson Tax Law Receives Global Award as Federal Ta...

The Newport Beach Tax Attorney Blog : Wilson Tax Law Receives Global Award as Federal Ta...: For Immediate Release September 26th 2016 Finance Monthly 2016 Global Awards Finance Monthly Magazine has selected the Wilson Tax L...

The Newport Beach Tax Attorney Blog : Wilson Tax Law Receives Global Award as Federal Ta...

The Newport Beach Tax Attorney Blog : Wilson Tax Law Receives Global Award as Federal Ta...: For Immediate Release September 26th 2016 Finance Monthly 2016 Global Awards Finance Monthly Magazine has selected the Wilson Tax L...

Wilson Tax Law Receives Global Award as Federal Tax Law Firm of the Year in the USA

For Immediate Release
September 26th 2016
Finance Monthly 2016 Global Awards

Finance Monthly Magazine has selected the Wilson Tax Law Group, APLC as the Federal Tax Law Firm of Year in the USA for 2016 in its Global Awards edition that has now been published.

Every year Finance Monthly Global Awards celebrate the success of financial organisations and advisers worldwide who have performed in the highest level possible.

When tasked with identifying the most successful organizations and advisers from around the globe in order to produce this special awards edition, Finance Monthly’s research team has through careful consideration worked hard to assess nomination entries, and conduct extensive research involving clients and peers. As a final result we are excited to present you a publication which contains some of the most successful and trusted firms operating in the dynamic financial sector, which will undoubtedly continue to experience growth through their commitment to excellence in 2016 and beyond.




For further information, or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Gaby Pulido
Media Relations
Wilson Tax Law Group, APLC
Newport Beach, California

949-397-2292

Tax Savings - Expanded Energy Tax Credits

Individuals who make energy improvements to their existing residence including solar, wind, geothermal, fuel cells or battery storage may be...