TAX NEWS - JUNE 2009

California tax: Taxpayer EFile Assistance Clinics and EFile Locations

Public Computers are Available to Assist Taxpayers to EFile Sales and Use Tax Returns Each Quarter

Betty T. Yee, Chairwoman of the Board of Equalization (BOE), today announced eFile assistance clinics and eFiling locations are available for taxpayers to eFile sales and use tax returns at the BOE field offices in California.

Taxpayers may bring their tax return information to any of the 23 statewide BOE field offices during regular office hours where computer equipment and BOE staff are available to assist taxpayers with eFile. For taxpayers that need help finding another location with a computer and an Internet connection to eFile a sales and use tax return, the BOE website, www.boe.ca.gov, provides a link to California public libraries that may offer Internet-connected computers.

More taxpayers are now eFiling sales and use tax returns because the automatic calculations make eFiling easier for taxpayers and ensure accurate tax returns as common errors are avoided and corrected by the eFile computer software.

As the BOE continues going paperless and has transitioned to eFile, there has been a cost savings to the state of California of $1.4 million in the first fiscal year 2008-09. Based on increased taxpayer participation in eFile, further budget savings for the next fiscal year 2009-10 are anticipated as the BOE transitions the majority of its sales and use tax accounts from paper to eFile. Prior to the transition to eFile, the BOE printed, mailed, and processed more than three and a half million paper sales and use tax returns annually.

For more information, and to find the nearest eFiling locations with a computer and an Internet connection to eFile sales and use tax returns, visit the BOE website: http://www.boe.ca.gov/elecsrv/efiling/locations.htm
- BOE Field Office Locations & Addresses that Offer EFile Assistance Clinics and EFiling Computers
- California Library Directory: Public Libraries that Offer Internet-Connected Computers

Any taxpayers needing eFile assistance or help finding a location or address may also call the BOE's Taxpayer Information Center toll-free at 1-800-400-7115. If calling from outside of the 48 contiguous states, please call 916-445-6362 to reach our Call Center. TDD service is also available for the hearing impaired at 1-800-735-2929 and 1-800-735-2922 from voice phones. BOE representatives are available to assist taxpayers Monday through Friday (except state holidays) from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Pacific Time).

Chairwoman Betty T. Yee was elected to her post in November 2006. Her district includes many of California's coastal counties, from Del Norte to Santa Barbara, and includes the entire San Francisco Bay Area.

The five-member California State Board of Equalization is a publicly elected tax board. The BOE collects more than $53 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.