Section 38708 Of Chapter 8. Administration From California Revenue And Taxation Code >> Division 2. >> Part 18.5. >> Chapter 8.
38708
. (a) Every taxpayer is entitled to be reimbursed for any
reasonable fees and expenses related to a hearing before the board if
all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The taxpayer files a claim for the fee and expenses with the
board within one year of the date the decision of the board becomes
final.
(2) The board, in its sole discretion, finds that the action taken
by the board staff was unreasonable.
(3) The board decides that the taxpayer be awarded a specific
amount of fees and expenses related to the hearing, in an amount
determined by the board in its sole discretion.
(b) To determine whether the board staff has been unreasonable,
the board shall consider whether the board staff has established that
its position was substantially justified.
(c) The amount of reimbursed fees and expenses shall be limited to
the following:
(1) Fees and expenses incurred after the date of the notice of
determination, jeopardy determination, or denial of a claim for
refund.
(2) If the board finds that the staff was unreasonable with
respect to certain issues but reasonable with respect to other
issues, the amount of reimbursed fees and expenses shall be limited
to those which relate to the issues where the staff was unreasonable.
(d) Any proposed award by the board pursuant to this section shall
be available as a public record for at least 10 days prior to the
effective date of the award.
(e) This section shall be operative for claims filed on or after
January 1, 2001.