Article 3. Determinations If No Return Made of California Revenue And Taxation Code >> Division 2. >> Part 1. >> Chapter 5. >> Article 3.

If any person fails to make a return, the board shall make an estimate of the amount of the gross receipts of the person, or, as the case may be, of the amount of the total sales price of tangible personal property sold or purchased by the person, the storage, use, or other consumption of which in this state is subject to the use tax. The estimate shall be made for the period or periods in respect to which the person failed to make a return and shall be based upon any information which is in the board's possession or may come in its possession. Upon the basis of this estimate the board shall compute and determine the amount of tax or other amount required to be paid to the state, adding to the sum thus arrived at a penalty equal to 10 percent thereof. One or more determinations may be made for one or for more than one period. When a business is discontinued a determination may be made at any time thereafter, within the periods specified in Section 6487, as to liability arising out of that business, irrespective of whether the determination is issued prior to the due date of the liability as otherwise specified in this part.

In making a determination the board may offset overpayments for a period or periods, together with interest on the overpayments, against underpayments for another period or periods, against penalties, and against the interest on the underpayments. The interest on underpayments and overpayments shall be computed in the manner set forth in Sections 6591 and 6907.

The amount of the determination, exclusive of penalties, shall bear interest at the modified adjusted rate per month, or fraction thereof, established pursuant to Section 6591.5, from the last day of the month following the quarterly period for which the amount or any portion thereof should have been returned until the date of payment.

If the failure of any person to file a return is due to fraud or an intent to evade this part or rules and regulations, a penalty of 25 per cent of the amount required to be paid by the person, exclusive of penalties, shall be added thereto in addition to the 10 per cent penalty provided in Section 6511.

Any purchaser of a vehicle, vessel, or aircraft who registers it outside the State of California for the purpose of evading the payment of taxes due under this part shall be liable for a penalty of 50 percent of any tax determined to be due on the sales price of the vehicle, vessel, or aircraft.

Promptly after making its determination the board shall give to theperson written notice of the estimate, determination, and penalty, the notice to be served personally or by mail in the manner prescribed for service of notice of a deficiency determination.