California Tax Officials Target More Businesses

California retailers and businesses in 17 ZIP codes will receive visits from the Statewide Compliance and Outreach Program (SCOP) to verify that they are properly reporting and remitting California sales tax. 

The California Board of Equalization reports that this month the SCOP sent more than 13,000 letters to businesses in certain California ZIP codes.

The letters alert businesses that an SCOP team will visit them and do the following:

1. Identify themselves and show identification,
2. Verify the need for and existence of a seller's permit and other required fee permits and licenses,
3. Review license/permit to verify that it is updated with the correct information,
4. Determine if the business is reporting its sales and use taxes properly,
5. Provide information and assistance to the business owner on sales and use tax reporting responsibilities, and
6. Answer owner's questions.

Regarding non-compliant businesses, the SCOP notes:

If the SCOP specialists find that a business is reporting its taxes incorrectly, they will advise the business to file amended returns or if the business has overpaid taxes, to file a claim for refund. In some instances, the business may be referred for an audit.

Please Note: The filing of an amended return does not prevent further BOE activity, such as an audit or refund, for the same period(s) in question. [Emphasis added].

Since 2008, the SCOP has visited 324,000 California businesses, and intends to ". . . visit all non-residential businesses over the course of time."

Retailers and businesses in the following ZIP codes can expect SCOP letters this month:

• Bell Gardens 90201
• Walnut 91789
• Valley Center 92082
• Calimesa 92320
• Sun City 92585 and 92586
• Newport Beach 92660 and 92661
• San Diego 92107
• Morro Bay 93442
• Nipomo 93444
• San Francisco 94109 and 94133
• Sunnyvale 94087
• Crescent City 95531
• Smith River 95567