Franchise FAQ

how to negotiate with california franchise tax board

by Brent Schaefer Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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As of 2011, the Franchise Tax Board

California Franchise Tax Board

The California Franchise Tax Board collects state personal income tax and corporate income tax of California. It is part of the California Government Operations Agency. The board is composed of the California State Controller, the director of the California Department of Finance, and the chair o…

(FTB) offers two methods for taxpayers to negotiate payment arrangements, including an Installment Agreement or an Offer in Compromise. Both methods require that any outstanding tax returns are filed prior to submitting a request. Offer in Compromise Download an FTB 4905 packet (see Resource section).

Full Answer

How do I settle my California tax debt?

If a taxpayer is not disputing that they owe tax (tax liability), and is merely seeking relief from an obligation to pay a tax liability because they are not able to pay, the taxpayer must instead contact a program called Offer in Compromise program at (916) 845-4787.

How do I fight the California Franchise Tax Board?

Submit your appeal by the appeal date on your notice. Provide a copy of the notice you're appealing. Write a letter, or you may use the Request for Appeal Before the Office of Tax Appeals (FTB 1037) , to explain why you don't agree with our determination....Home.help.disagree or resolve an issue.appeal a decision.

Can I do an offer and compromise with California state taxes?

The taxpayer can apply for a California State Tax Offer in Compromise only if they filed tax returns or are not required to file tax returns. The taxpayer also must fully complete the Offer in Compromise application, and provide all supporting documentation.

Does the Franchise Tax Board have a offer and compromise?

Overview. The Offer in Compromise (OIC) program allows you to offer a lesser amount for payment of an undisputed tax liability.

How can I avoid $800 franchise tax?

The only way to avoid the annual $800 California franchise fee is to dissolve your company, file a 'final' income tax return with the FTB and to submit the necessary paperwork.

How do I waive penalty FTB?

You may file a reasonable cause - claim for refund to request that we waive a penalty for reasonable cause.Reasonable Cause – Individual and Fiduciary Claim for Refund (FTB 2917)Reasonable Cause – Business Entity Claim for Refund (FTB 2924)

How much does CPA charge for offer in compromise?

around $4,000-$7,500 dollarsOffer In Compromise (OIC) If you are pursuing an Offer in Compromise, expect your case to be around $4,000-$7,500 dollars. Always ensure there are no additional costs to appeal or place you in the next best resolution if the IRS or State does not accept your OIC.

How successful is offer in compromise?

Not all Offers in Compromise are approved. In fact, only 3 out of every 10 offers in compromise are approved. However, there are plenty of success tales available for taxpayers wanting to lower their tax obligation financial obligation and also take part in the offer in compromise program.

How much should my offer in compromise be?

An offer in compromise (with doubt as to collectability) to the IRS should be equal to, or greater than what the IRS calculates as the taxpayer's reasonable collection potential.

What happens if you dont pay Franchise Tax Board?

Penalty. 5% of the amount due: From the original due date of your tax return. After applying any payments and credits made, on or before the original due date of your tax return, for each month or part of a month unpaid.

How much can the Franchise Tax Board garnish?

25%VRC/COD wage garnishments issued on or after January 1, 2022, can collect the following: Amount 1: 25% of the employee's disposable earnings for the week; or. Amount 2: 50% of the difference between the employee's disposable earnings for that week and the applicable minimum wage for that week.

Who qualifies for an offer in compromise?

To qualify for an OIC, the taxpayer must have filed all tax returns, have received a bill for at least one tax debt included on the offer, made all required estimated tax payments for the current year, and if the taxpayer is a business owner with employees, the taxpayer must have made all required federal tax deposits ...

How do I stop Franchise Tax Board garnishment?

The most effective way to stop garnishments or other levies is to pay in full. After you have paid, contact the number listed on your order. Have your payroll, bank, or other payor fax number prior to calling.

Who is exempt from California Franchise Tax?

A corporation that incorporates or qualifies to do business in California is exempt from paying the minimum franchise tax in its first taxable year. Business entities such as LLCs, LLPs, and LPs are subject to an $800 annual tax.

How do I avoid $800 LLC Fees in California?

If you cancel your LLC within one year of organizing, you can file Short form cancellation (SOS Form LLC-4/8) with the SOS. Your LLC will not be subject to the annual $800 tax for its first tax year.

Do you have to pay the $800 California LLC fee?

Yes, it does. The California LLC franchise tax exemption from Assembly Bill 85 only covers the LLC's 1st year. Your California LLC needs to pay the $800 franchise tax payment in its 2nd year and for all years afterward.

1. You disagree with a letter from us

We may send you a letter in the mail. If you disagree, gather supporting information/documents and contact us 1 .

2. If the information you provided is not enough

If you agree with our decision, follow the instructions on the letter.

3. If we deny your claim for refund

If you disagree with our denial of your claim for refund, you can submit an appeal 6 .

How long does it take to get a payment from a franchise tax board?

Do not send any payment with your application. The Franchise Tax Board responds to your request within 90 days. Upon approval, the state notifies you to send your payment.

How to pay EFT in California?

Complete the EFT authorization. California requires that monthly installments be made by electronic debit from your bank account. Write the withdrawal date you choose in the box located within the authorization text. Write the amount you want to pay each month in Box 1. Provide your bank information in Boxes 2 through 5.

How long do you have to pay taxes?

You may qualify to pay your tax in monthly installments when you owe less than $25,000 and agree to pay your balance within 60 months (five years). If you owe $10,000 or less, you must agree to pay your balance within 36 months. However, if your financial situation does not permit you to pay within 36 months, you may declare financial hardship ...

How to calculate FTB payment?

Calculate the amount you offer to pay monthly. Divide your balance by 36 months if you owe less than $10,000. Divide your balance by 60 months if you owe between $10,000 and $25,000. The result is the lowest amount the FTB accepts for a payment arrangement, unless you have a financial hardship and cannot afford the standard payment.

What happens if you owe California state taxes?

If you owe individual income taxes to the California Franchise Tax Board and are unable to full pay the balance, you must negotiate an alternative method to pay your tax. Failure to formalize a plan to pay may result in enforcement action from the state. Enforcement measures include bank levies and wage garnishments.

What to discuss in Section 7?

Explain the reason you are requesting the offer in Section 7. You must also discuss how you determined your offer amount. The state bases acceptance decisions on your financial situation and ability to pay. Discuss financial reasons in this section. Do not discuss tax law, politics or reasons why the liability accrued in Section 7. These are not things the state considers to accept or deny your request.

Where to report source of offer funds?

Report the source of your offer funds in Section 8.

What does the CA FTB look for in a CA tax return?

The CA FTB is going to look at your income, expenses, assets, and potential future income in their determination. If you owe more than $20,000 to the FTB it is strongly recommended to hire a tax professional to handle it for you.

How long does a hardship last in California?

The CA FTB hardship expires one year after the date of its approval in most cases. You can resubmit before the expiration of the hardship. The FTB has 20 years to collect on a debt in most cases. Time is ticking while in hardship, but it is a long way to expire.

What is an offer in compromise?

An Offer In Compromise is the best option for FTB tax debt forgiveness. A CA FTB Offer In Compromise is an agreement between yoiu and the CA FTB to settle the tax debt for less than the amount owed. Like the IRS, the CA FTB may accept an OIC if they believe it is the most they will be able to collect. You can consider it CA FTB tax debt forgiveness ...

Does CA FTB require a penalty abatement?

As of 2018 the CA FTB requires reasonable cause to get a penalty abatement (where as the IRS has a first time penalty abatement based on prior compliance.) Contact A TRP Tax Attorney & Erase Your Tax Debt.

Can you request a penalty abatement from the Franchise Tax Board?

Note that it is possible to make a request for a Penalty Abatement from the Franchise Tax Board. This is a form of CA FTB tax debt forgiveness, though you will have to provide good cause as to your inability to file and pay on time.

Does the CA FTB have a lien?

Leaving all the decisions to the CA FTB and their collection pursuits is rarely your best option. Like the IRS, the CA FTB has the power to issue tax liens that may result in property seiz ure as covered in the California Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights . The CA FTB will also garnish your paycheck and levy your bank account.

Does California have a FTB forgiveness?

Understand that not every option offers CA FTB tax debt forgiveness, but they do provide a means of settling your tax debt.

How to do it yourself California?

You can do it yourself by calling an IRS toll-free number. The California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) established a similar “Fresh Start” program in March 2012. If you owe the FTB $25,000 or less you can “do it yourself” by either calling a toll-free number or going online.

How much can you owe the IRS for FTB?

Even though the IRS limits are $50,000 or less, most people who owe the FTB as much as $25,000 owe the IRS more than $50,000 . This means the FTB limits are effectively more generous than those of the IRS. With the IRS you can get up to 72 months to pay, but with the FTB the maximum time for an agreement is 60 months.

What is the number to call for FTB?

The FTB will allow you to skip one month without declaring your payment agreement in default. The number to call is (916) 845-0494.

Do I need a CPA to negotiate with the IRS?

You do not need a CPA or lawyer to negotiate a payment arrangement. You can do it yourself by calling an IRS toll-free number.

What to do if you don't file California taxes?

Most people will check no to most of the Yes/No questions. The last California income tax return filed is usually the most recent tax year if you live in California. If you live out of state, write in the last once you filed. If you do not file the required returns your offer will get rejected. You then have to file the missing returns and resubmit. The FTB sometimes makes exceptions with very old years. Your tax attorney can find this out for you if they are working on your case. If you are unsure and ask if older tax years are required to submit call the FTB Offer In Compromise department.

How to send FTB offer in compromise?

Your tax attorney will most likely put a cover letter on it for you if they are preparing it. The offer should be sent by certified mail with a return receipt. You or your tax attorney should contact FTB collections if your case is in collections (or if you are unsure) and let them know you have submitted an FTB Offer In Compromise. Most of the time they put a collection hold on the case until the Offer In Compromise evaluation is over. The FTB however, unlike the IRS, does reserve the right to proceed with collection action while the Offer is pending.

What does FTB offer compromise mean?

By submitting an FTB Offer In Compromise and signing the paperwork, you are consenting to the FTB doing a thorough investigation on your financial information. If you do not disclose financial information, most of the time the FTB will find it anyway. Make sure everything you report to the FTB or your tax attorney preparing your FTB Offer In Compromise is accurate and complete.

What form is required to process an offer in compromise?

The FTB will request the following information to process your Offer In Compromise along with FTB Form 4905 PIT . All the information except for FTB Form 4905 PIT should be copied.

What happens if you offer a FTB a collateral agreement?

This gives the FTB the right to take a specified percentage of your income for the next five years if it exceeds a certain amount. This sometimes can be a condition of FTB Offer In Compromise acceptance.

What to do if your case is pending?

If your case is in a pending Offer In Compromise or another arrangement with the IRS, send the last correspondence you received. I also recommend writing in the cover letter the current status of your IRS case. Most cases that can settle with the FTB can settle with the IRS. The IRS is usually easier to get a settlement from.

How long does it take to get a response from FTB?

After submission you should get a response within 90 days.

What happens if the California Franchise Tax Board rejects your request for an installment agreement?

If the California Franchise Tax Board rejects your request for an installment agreement, they will send you a notice stating the reason for the rejection. If you believe the rejection is improper, you or your tax representative can call or write the FTB to explain why. The FTB generally may not levy your property during ...

What happens if you owe California franchise tax?

If the California Franchise Tax Board determines you have a balance due, they can garnish your wages, file and record a lien against your property, seize your assets, and levy your bank accounts. If you owe taxes to the FTB, the following information will help you understand the agency’s collection process.

How does interest accrue in California?

Interest accrues on unpaid taxes from the original due date of the return until the date the California Franchise Tax Board receives full payment. It accrues on penalties from the effective date of the penalty until the date the FTB receives full payment.

How to get a lien on California taxes?

If you do not pay your entire California income tax liability by the time it becomes due and payable, the unpaid amount is subject to a state tax lien. The California FTB may record a notice of state tax lien in the county recorder’s office of the county in which you live or own real property. They may also file a notice of state tax lien with the California Secretary of State. If the FTB records or files a notice of state tax lien, you can get it released by paying the total tax liability (including any penalties, accrued interest, and fees) for the tax years represented by the lien. The FTB records a certificate of release in the office of the county recorder. Here they recorded the notice and/or file the release with the California Secretary of State no later than 40 days after you pay the liability. If you pay by check, the 40-day period does not begin until your financial institution honors the check. Unfortunately, the FTB sometimes records or files a notice of state tax lien in error. If this happens to you, you or your tax representative must call or write to the FTB and explain the error. If the FTB agrees with you, they will send a notice to the applicable county recorder’s office and/or to the Secretary of State and to credit reporting companies stating that they recorded/filed the notice in error. Learn how we routinely protect our clients from State tax liens.

What happens if you don't file your California tax return?

If you do not file your tax return by the extended due date, the California Franchise Tax Board imposes a penalty of 25 percent of the amount due, after applying any payments and credits made on or before the original tax return due date. The FTB imposes the penalty from the original due date of the tax return.

What is the penalty for late payment of California tax?

The penalty is 5 percent of the unpaid tax (underpayment), plus 0.5 percent of the unpaid tax for each month or part of a month it remains unpaid (monthly).

How long do you have to file a California tax return?

Generally, you can file a refund claim until the latter of four years from the due date of your tax return, or one year from the date of overpayment. In most cases, you may only request a refund when you have paid the full amount due.

What information does the Franchise Tax Board ask for?

The Franchise Tax Board will ask for business references, for detailed income information, about salaries and disposals of assets worth more than $500 in recent period.

What information is required for franchise tax?

The Franchise Tax Board will require complete bank information, including statements for all accounts for the last six months for those who are employed, and for the previous two years for self-employed taxpayers. Information submitted must also include closed bank accounts.The FTB also requires information about securities owned, interest in real estate, information from the IRS, legal documents such as divorce decrees or marital settlement agreements, medical information such as any medical condition that should be considered by the Franchise Tax Board and any powers of attorney.

How long does it take to pay off an FTB OIC?

They may counter with a higher sum, or it may be that they have determined that you can afford to pay off the debt within five years. In that case they will help you set up an installment agreement. This is another area where a tax attorney can help. The appeals process for an FTB OIC is fairly casual, but negotiations are best handled with a professional by your side.

How to apply for an offer in compromise?

To apply for an offer in compromise, you must have filed all your tax returns to date. To be eligible, your financial situation must be fairly dire, and it is up to you to prove your inability to pay the total debt. Each case is decided individually, and the FTB gives specific consideration to the following factors: 1 Your ability to pay 2 Your equity and assets 3 Your present and future income 4 Your present and future expenses 5 The potential for changed circumstances 6 Whether the offer is in the best interest of the state

How to fill out California state tax offer in compromise?

To fill out a California State Tax Offer in Compromise application, the taxpayer will need to provide a significant volume of information. That includes verification of income, documents, such as pay stubs for the previous three months, or financial statements for the previous two years, if self-employed.

How long does a franchise tax agreement last?

The agreement is for a duration of five years and will require the taxpayer to pay the FTB a percentage of future earnings if earnings become higher than certain threshold established by the FTB and agreed to by the taxpayer.

When will the OIC program end?

Effective January 1, 2009, through January 1, 2023, the OIC program will extend to qualified active businesses where the taxpayer has not received reimbursement for the taxes, fees, or surcharges owed to the state, to successors of businesses that may have inherited tax liabilities of their predecessors, and to consumers who incurred a use tax liability.

Why is the FTB more willing to negotiate?

Usually the FTB is more willing to negotiate if there is a higher risk of litigation or the taxpayer presents well-developed facts. The settlement program provides an expedited method of resolving civil tax disputes.

Who can recommend a settlement of a FTB dispute?

The FTB Settlement process is fairly complicated. The Executive Officer may recommend to the FTB a settlement of dispute. The Executive Officer can also authorize the FTB’s Chief Counsel to make such a recommendation. The recommendation is then submitted to the Attorney General.

How long does it take to approve a FTB?

Disapproval can be made only if the majority of members voted to disapprove. If FTB members do not approve or disapprove within the 45-day time period , then such recommendation is automatically approved. In cases involving reduction in tax or penalties in the amount of $8,500 or less, the Executive Officer and the Chief Counsel can jointly approve or disapprove without submitting to the Attorney General.

What is the FTB settlement bureau?

The FTB’s Settlement Bureau is the body responsible for the negotiation of settlements. The Settlement Bureau is not allowed to settle court litigation cases – such cases must be settled outside of Bureau.

Can a settlement agreement be appealed?

All settlement agreements between the FTB and a taxpayer are final and cannot be appealed, unless it can be shown that one side defrauded the other regarding facts material (important) to settlement.

Is settlement information confidential?

Except for the public record statement above, all other settlement information is considered confidential. To ensure confidentiality, the FTB and taxpayer sign a non-disclosure agreement prior to negotiations and all information other than what is in the public record statement generally cannot be used in subsequent legal proceedings in any administrative agency or court, and cannot be disclosed to third persons unless law requires to disclose it in limited circumstances.

Can I clear my state tax liability with the FTB?

Contact me before your credit is damaged, your income garnished and your bank account is seized. Together, we can clear up your state tax liability.

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