Section 5909 Of Part 14. Property Taxpayers' Bill Of Rights From California Revenue And Taxation Code >> Division 1. >> Part 14.
5909
. (a) County assessors may respond to a taxpayer's written
request for a written ruling as to property tax consequences of an
actual or planned particular transaction, or as to the property taxes
liability of a specified property. For purposes of statewide
uniformity, county assessors may consult with board staff prior to
issuing a ruling under this subdivision. Any ruling issued under this
subdivision shall notify the taxpayer that the ruling represents the
county's current interpretation of applicable law and does not bind
the county, except as provided in subdivision (b).
(b) Where a taxpayer's failure to timely report information or pay
amounts of tax directly results from the taxpayer's reasonable
reliance on the county assessor's written ruling under subdivision
(a), the taxpayer shall be relieved of any penalties, or interest
assessed or accrued, with respect to property taxes not timely paid
as a direct result of the taxpayer's reasonable reliance. A taxpayer'
s failure to timely report property values or to make a timely
payment of property taxes shall be considered to directly result from
the taxpayer's reasonable reliance on a written ruling from the
assessor under subdivision (a) only if all of the following
conditions are met:
(1) The taxpayer has requested in writing that the assessor advise
as to the property tax consequences of a particular transaction or
as to the property taxes with respect to a particular property, and
fully described all relevant facts and circumstances pertaining to
that transaction or property.
(2) The assessor has responded in writing and specifically stated
the property tax consequences of the transaction or the property
taxes with respect to the property.