The Taxpayers' Rights Advocate’s Office is available to provide an independent review of your unresolved tax problems. We strive to ensure that your problems are handled promptly and fairly, and that you have the highest confidence in the integrity, efficiency, and fairness of our state tax system.
Review the list below to determine where to start:
- Start here if this is your first attempt to contact us.
- Report your problem or call the Advocate Hotline at 800.883.5910 if:
- You have not been able to resolve the problem in prior contacts with us.
- You are suffering a hardship as a result of our action.
- Email the Taxpayers' Rights Advocate if you have comments or suggestions to help us provide better service.
- Report a systemic issue. If you wish to report a problem that only affects your own account, please use the Report your problem link above. A systemic issue affects multiple taxpayers, relates to FTB systems / policies / procedures, or involves protecting taxpayer rights, or reducing or preventing taxpayer burden. (updated 04/20/09)
Your Rights as a California Taxpayer
You have rights as a taxpayer when dealing with the Franchise Tax Board. The sources listed below will provide you with sections of the law and publications that address your rights.
- California Taxpayers' Bill of Rights (FTB 4058)
This brochure gives you a basic description of your rights during the audit process. It also tells you how to protest and appeal and describes potential collection actions available to FTB staff.
- California Taxpayers' Bill of Rights 2 (FTB 4063)
California generally conformed to the federal legislation enacting Taxpayers' Bill of Rights 2. This brochure provides a brief description of the major provisions of the California legislation.
- California Taxpayer Bill of Rights Act of 1999 (FTB 4064)
To further guarantee your rights as state taxpayers, California's lawmakers enacted the Taxpayers' Bill of Rights Act of 1999. This publication provides the major highlights.
- California Taxpayers' Bill of Rights - An Overview (FTB 4058C)
This publication describes each provision of the California Taxpayers' Bill of Rights and the California Taxpayers' Bill of Rights 2.
Comparison of California Taxpayers' Bill of Rights to the Federal Law - This table compares California Taxpayers' Bill of Rights provisions to the equivalent federal law.
Revenue and Taxation Code - More detailed information is available by referring to the actual code sections of the income tax law. Most of the provisions of the Taxpayers' Bill of Rights are contained in Revenue and Taxation Code sections 21001 - 21028.
Related Links:
- Taxpayers' Bill of Rights Hearing Responses - 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006
- Taxpayers' Bill of Rights Annual Report to the Legislature - 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002
- FTB Liaison Meetings
- Public Meeting Notices - FTB and Taxpayer Bill of Rights meetings.
- Mission and Statement of Principles of Tax Administration
- Regulations and the California Revenue & Tax Code
- Publication 145 - California Taxpayer Advocates
Advisory Board
The Advisory Board is made up of representatives from industry, state, and federal government. The board provides insight and contributions from a non-FTB point of view to our executive officer on the various projects and programs we administer.
| The Advisory Board meets at least once a year, and its members include: | |
|---|---|
| Joseph Bankman | Jean Nelsen |
| David Doerr | Joyce Peneau |
| Bernice Fischer | Gary Renville |
| Lenny Goldberg | Charles Rettig |
| Colin Grinnell | Gina Rodriquez |
| Steve Henderson | Jean Ross |
| Don Hug | Ray Rossi |
| Oksana Jaffe | Sharon Stone-Smith |
| John Karayan | Walter Thomas |
| Chris Micheli | John Woodford |
| Gayle Miller | Kathleen Wright |