Article 4. Seizure And Sale of California Revenue And Taxation Code >> Division 2. >> Part 22. >> Chapter 4. >> Article 4.

Whenever any taxpayer is delinquent in the payment of the tax, the board, or its authorized representative, may seize any property, real or personal, of the taxpayer, and sell at public auction the property seized, or a sufficient portion thereof, to pay the tax due, together with any penalties imposed for the delinquency and all costs that have been incurred on account of the seizure and sale.

Notice of the sale, and the time and place thereof, shall be given to the delinquent taxpayer and to all persons who have an interest of record in the property at least 20 days before the date set for the sale in the following manner: The notice shall be personally served or enclosed in an envelope addressed to the taxpayer or other person at his or her last known residence or place of business in this state as it appears upon the records of the board, if any, and depositing it in the United States registered mail, postage prepaid. The notice shall be published pursuant to Section 6063 of the Government Code in a newspaper of general circulation published in the city in which the property or a part thereof is situated if any part thereof is situated in a city or, if not, in a newspaper of general circulation published in the county in which the property or a part thereof is located. Notice shall also be posted in both of the following manners:
  (a) One public place in the city in which the interest in property is to be sold if it is to be sold in a city, or, if not to be sold in a city, one public place in the county in which the interest to the property is to be sold.
  (b) One conspicuous place on the property. The notice shall contain a description of the property to be sold, a statement of the amount due, including taxes, interest, penalties, and costs, the name of the taxpayer, and the further statement that unless the amount due is paid on or before the time fixed in the notice for the sale, the property, or so much thereof as may be necessary, will be sold in accordance with law and the notice.

At the sale the property shall be sold by the board, or by its authorized agent, in accordance with law and the notice, and the board shall deliver to the purchaser a bill of sale for the personal property and a deed for any real property sold. The bill of sale or deed vests title in the purchaser. The unsold portion of any property seized may be left at the place of sale at the risk of the taxpayer.

If upon the sale the moneys received exceed the amount of all taxes, penalties, and costs due the state from the taxpayer, the board shall return the excess to him or her and obtain his or her receipt. If any person having an interest in or lien upon the property files with the board prior to the sale notice of his or her interest, the board shall withhold any excess pending a determination of the rights of the respective parties to the excess moneys by a court of competent jurisdiction. If for any reason the receipt of the taxpayer is not available, the board shall deposit the excess moneys with the Controller, as trustee for the owner, subject to the order of the taxpayer, his or her heirs, successors, or assigns.