NR# 7-G
Date: February 3, 2000
Customer and Taxpayer Services Division

List of Largest Sales and Use Tax Debtors Now Available on the Internet

Dean Andal, Chairman, State Board of Equalization (BOE) announced today that a listing of the largest sales and use tax delinquencies in excess of one million dollars is now available on the Board's Internet site for public viewing.

The listing was made possible with the passage AB 790, which went into effect January 1, 2000. AB 790, authored by Assemblyman Mike Honda (D-San Jose) and sponsored by Chairman Andal, requires the BOE to make available, each quarter, a list of the largest sales and use tax delinquencies, not to exceed 12, in excess of one million dollars for which the person has received tax or tax reimbursement.

"The intent of AB 790 is simple. It levels the playing field for California taxpayers by making public the largest sales and use tax delinquencies," stated Andal. "This should serve as an inducement for tax delinquents to clear their accounts with the BOE and should help to achieve greater compliance with our sales and use tax laws," concluded Andal.

Several other states are already doing this. Since 1997, the State of Connecticut has posted the top 100 delinquent taxpayers on its Internet site. Through June 1999, Connecticut has collected approximately $52 million from accounts eligible for listing, and another $12 million has been negotiated through payment plans.

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