California recognizes out-of-state same-sex marriages

On October 11, 2009, the Governor signed Senate Bill 54, which provides that a marriage between two persons who have entered into a same-sex marriage outside the State of California prior to November 5, 2008, that was valid by the laws of the jurisdiction in which the marriage was contracted, is valid in California. / more+

Military Spouses Residency Relief Act

The Military Spouses Residency Relief Act (MSRRA) was signed into law by the President on November 11, 2009. For taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2009, a service member’s spouse is considered a nonresident for tax purposes if the servicemember and spouse have the same legal residence or domicile outside of California and the spouse is in California solely to be with the service member who is serving in compliance with military orders. / more+

Mandatory e-pay penalty update: Not assessed in 2010

When you are required to make electronic payments but pay by other means, [the FTB] can assess a penalty equal to one percent of the amount paid, unless your failure to pay electronically was for reasonable cause and not willful neglect. / more+

Luxury Auto Pilot Program

Each year, [the FTB] receive and process millions of income information records. The nonfiler program uses federal tax return information, information from other California state agencies, third-party data, and income estimates from self-employed activities to determine if a taxpayer has a filing requirement. / more+

EITC Awareness Day is January 29, 2010

The IRS in partnership with local organizations in your area will kick off of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Awareness Day event on January 29 to promote the federal tax credit. / more+

Consultants wanted: California seeks experts knowledgeable in abusive tax shelter transactions

Abusive Tax Avoidance Transactions (ATAT) cost California billions of dollars each year. In 2004, [the FTB] collected a record $1.4 billion from taxpayers participating in tax shelters during [their] Voluntary Compliance Initiative. / more+

Get ready for the filing season with e-Services

During these difficult times, it is increasingly important to work both smart and efficiently. / more+

Head of Household guidelines

Our filing season is just around the corner. Some of your clients may inquire about claiming our head of household filing status. This filing status provides a lower tax liability and a higher standard deduction than the single filing status. / more+

California’s Enterprise Zones Wage Credit

In our June 2009 issue of Tax News we asked the question, “Are you familiar with California’s Enterprise Zones?”

[The FTB] now ask, “Are you aware some taxpayers who work in an Enterprise Zone may be entitled to a credit for the wages they earned?”  / more+

Small business

Misleading letter schemes target corporations and LLCs

Your business clients may receive a misleading letter to file board minutes and/or a statement of information for a fee. Because the letters look and sound official, your clients may be quick to send payment. But wait! Read the fine print, “…products or services being offered are not approved or endorsed by any government agency.” / more+

Ask the advocate

Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights Hearing

The Annual Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights Hearing was held December 3, 2009, at FTB headquarters in the Gerald H. Goldberg Auditorium. We received four proposals in advance and representatives from two organizations made presentations. We are in the process of preparing responses to the proposals we received. / more+

Inside FTB

Take a look at the changes happening here at FTB. / more+

Criminal corner

Our monthly summary of bringing tax criminals to justice and closing the tax gap one case at a time. / more+