The California State Board of Equalization (BOE) is pleased to announce that the Governor has signed BOE-sponsored legislation that will reduce the likelihood that taxpayers will miss the deadline for reimbursement of bank charges resulting from a BOE collection or processing error. The law becomes effective January 1, 2014.

“Government should bear the cost of its mistakes, not impose them on innocent taxpayers,” said Board of Equalization Member George Runner. “This legislation gives taxpayers greater opportunity to seek reimbursement for bank charges that were really the government’s fault.”

Senate Bill 442 is part of the Board’s ongoing commitment to improve our taxpayers’ experience through better, more efficient customer service.

Current law only allows the BOE to issue reimbursement of these charges if the tax or feepayer requests them within 90 days of the BOE error that caused the taxpayer to incur bank charges. The new law will allow the taxpayer 90 days after the bank charges are incurred, to file a reimbursement claim. The new law provides taxpayers more opportunity to see the charges on their bank statements, and not miss the deadline to file a reimbursement claim. Under current law, the taxpayer must file their reimbursement claim within 90 days of the BOE’s erroneous action.

This new law will enable the BOE to fairly and equitably administer the law in the rare instances that the BOE makes an error in processing or collection.

About BOE Member George Runner

George Runner

Elected in November 2010, George Runner represents the State Board of Equalization’s Second District. He is a leading advocate for California taxpayers. Runner has worked to improve California’s tax policies and practices and to create and retain more private sector jobs in our state. Prior to his election to the Board, Runner served twelve years in the State Legislature, authoring the well-known California Amber Alert and California’s Blue Alert. As a thoughtful conservative, his legislative priorities included improving the economy, business growth, education excellence, and public safety for all Californians. As a member of the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee, Runner consistently led the fight against tax increases and supported tax relief for families and businesses.

The five-member California State Board of Equalization (BOE) is a publicly elected tax board. The BOE collects more than $53.7 billion annually in taxes and fees supporting state and local government services. It hears business tax appeals, acts as the appellate body for franchise and personal income tax appeals, and serves a significant role in the assessment and administration of property taxes. For more information on other taxes and fees in California, visit www.taxes.ca.gov.