Let's talk tax: highlights from CalCPA Committee on Taxation, FTB liaison meeting.

AuthorCounts, James C., II
PositionTaxation committee

The CalCPA Committee on Taxation recently held its annual meeting with top leadership from the FTB to discuss key issues CPAs--and their clients--faced this past year. The FTB also provided a number of presentations and answered questions submitted by CalCPA members. Meeting highlights include:

Executive Officer Report

Under the leadership of FTB Executive Officer Selvi Stanislaus, the ongoing mission of the FTB is to improve transparency and accessibility for tax practitioners and their clients. In response to tax practitioner suggestions, the FTB Audit Division announced it will include both the auditor's and supervisor's name and phone number on each audit examination notice. During the exam, FTB Audit intends to give taxpayers access to subject matter experts to better resolve an issue if at an impasse. Upon completing the exam, the FTB will begin surveying taxpayers about their audit experience in January.

Ask a Legal Expert

Another way the FTB will heighten accessibility is through its new "Ask A Legal Expert" program. Taxpayers and representatives may submit a basic tax law question through FTB's website (www.ftb.ca.gov, search "Ask A Legal Expert"). An FTB attorney will respond to the inquiry. The FTB appreciates receiving questions as it helps it train new attorneys and provides areas of interest to taxpayers.

Legislation

Several bills were enacted this year that affect the FTB, including those addressing federal conformity (AB 154), the Earned Income Tax Credit Bill (SB 80), disaster losses (SB 35) and AB 557, which modifies the nonprofit corporate dissolution process.

This bill is a pilot to see how it goes, with the possibility of enacting this method to close a lot of abandoned for-profit corporations.

The FEB Taxpayer Rights Advocate Bill (SB 540) bolsters the FTB Advocate's authority, and AB 964 makes changes to when a security breach may have to be reported.

MyFTB Update

The FTB announced a major upgrade to the MyFTB account service. Taxpayers and representatives who have an account will need to re-register once the new system begins Jan. 4. Upon registering on or after that date, the FTB will send a letter to the address of record with a PIN, which will be needed to complete the registration process.

For practitioners, the FTB has access to the PTIN and the California Board of Accountancy address databases. Attorneys will need to have a PTIN or will not be able to register, as the FTB does not have access to the California...

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