GAINES GAZETTE
March 2020
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It's been an interesting couple of weeks at the Board of Equalization. Fortunately, we've been able to keep essential staff in the office and were able to hold our constitutionally mandated monthly Board meeting as scheduled today. We had to be creative in holding a public meeting via teleconference. I'm proud of the Board Members and Board staff who pulled together a meeting that met the requirements of law, was responsive to taxpayers, and kept everyone involved safe.
Sincerely,
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Board Members Request Extension
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Board Chairman, Tony Vazquez, sent a
letter
to Governor Newsom on behalf of the BOE and County Assessors, requesting the Governor's assistance in granting BOE the authority to authorize additional time extensions for certain property tax filing deadlines affecting the 58 counties and BOE state-assessed taxpayers.
This authority is necessary for the orderly administration, filing, and payment of both local and state-assessed property taxes, and is not extended to the BOE under the Executive Orders that have been issued to date.
The BOE oversees, establishes, and administers the rules regarding the assessment of property taxes that fund local services, special districts, K-12 schools and community colleges, and local bonded indebtedness—all relating directly to County Assessors, County Appeals Boards, state assessees, and railroads.
We hope the Governor will honor the request because without special authority to grant extensions, the BOE cannot fully fulfill its Constitutional duty to provide such guidance.
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COVID-19 Informational Website
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On March 18, Governor Newsom launched a public awareness campaign to provide residents with updated information about COVID-19. The campaign’s
website
highlights steps people can take to stay healthy and resources available to Californians who may be impacted by the outbreak, including paid sick leave and unemployment assistance.
The Board of Equalization continues to monitor the latest developments and is guided by the following principles: protecting the health of the public and our employees; helping slow the spread of the virus; ensuring the continuity of the work at the BOE; and ensuring all measures taken are in line with guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the California Department of Public Health, and the Governor's Executive Order.
I applaud our state and local officials for their response to the pandemic. With good leadership, accurate information, and the public's cooperation in staying home as much as possible, I believe we can overcome this pandemic and protect the most vulnerable. I’m confident Americans will once again rise to the challenge and bring our nation and the world back together.
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Tax Payment Due Dates Extended to July 15
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The
Internal Revenue Service
(
IRS
) and
Franchise Tax Board
(
FTB
) are providing special payment relief to individuals and businesses in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Both the filing deadline for tax returns and the payment due date have been extended to
July 15, 2020.
Although the
California Department of Tax and Fee Administration
(
CDTFA
) has not formally extended due dates, under the COVID-19 State of Emergency they can offer assistance with granting extensions for filing returns and making payments, relief from interest and penalties, and filing claims for refund.
The
Employment Development Department
(
EDD
) is offering California employers directly affected by COVID-19 a 60-day extension to file their state payroll reports and/or deposit payroll taxes without penalty or interest.
Please check the individual websites before filing your taxes because information is updated as circumstances change.
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Free Income Tax Preparation Assistance
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Tax filing season is upon us! The IRS is currently offering several free programs to taxpayers needing assistance.
- Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) offers help to people who make $56,000 or less, persons with disabilities, and limited English-speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their tax returns.
Assistance is available from February 1 through April 15. Dates and times vary by
location
, and some VITA sites require appointments.
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Legislative Analyst's Fiscal Outlook
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California’s Legislative Analyst, Gabriel Patek, shared his views on the state’s
evolving fiscal outlook
in light of the COVID-19 emergency. He believes
the economic uncertainty caused by this unexpected crisis will continue to affect California’s near-term fiscal outlook but notes that the state is entering the crisis on strong fiscal footing with significant budget reserves.
Voters can take credit for the State's sizeable rainy day fund. In 2014,
after the state regained its economic footing following the Great Recession, Californians overwhelmingly voted for
Proposition 2
.
This constitutional amendment—put on the ballot by the Legislature—set aside more money in the state’s budget reserves to protect us from periodic economic downturns. And eight years later, that’s exactly where we find ourselves.
Now that the coronavirus has made its way to California and is putting stress on our economy, our $18.3 billion rainy day fund will help the State better respond to this unprecedented crisis.
I'm proud to have been one of the Senators who voted in favor of putting Prop. 2 on the ballot, and even more pleased that voters approved it by a margin of nearly 70 percent. It was a sound fiscal decision made by Californians who remember earlier years of fiscal anxiety. I’m glad state lawmakers continue to bolster our rainy day fund, because economic prosperity is something all Californians care about.
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March 24, 2020 marked the 47
th
anniversary of
National Agriculture (Ag) Day
, celebrated in classrooms and communities across the country. This year’s theme is "Food Brings Everyone to the Table.”
California celebrates Ag Day annually on the west lawn of the State Capitol. It was scheduled to be held on March 18, 2020 but was cancelled to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
Ag Day at the Capitol provides an opportunity for Californians to celebrate the bounty of agriculture, and for farmers and ranchers to meet with members of the California Legislature.
Although the event has been cancelled, I encourage you to take a moment to reflect and be grateful for the role that agriculture plays in our lives. The entire agriculture sector—from the farm to the grocery store—brings food to everyone’s table.
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As a Board Member, my number one priority is to advocate for taxpayers. I believe hardworking Californians deserve to have someone working on their behalf to streamline and promote efficiency in state government.
Should you need assistance with tax-related problems or have questions, visit my
website
for information on how to contact my office or
email
me directly anytime.
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Monthly Board Meeting: April 28, 2020 in Sacramento
CANCELED
: Informational Hearing on Split Roll: April 29, 2020
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