Article 3. Seizure And Sale of California Revenue And Taxation Code >> Division 2. >> Part 2. >> Chapter 6. >> Article 3.

Whenever any supplier is delinquent in the payment of the tax, the Controller or his or her authorized representative may forthwith collect the tax due in the following manner: The Controller shall seize any property, real or personal, of the supplier, and thereafter sell the property, or a sufficient part of it, at public auction to pay the tax due together with any penalties, interest and any costs incurred on account of the seizure and sale.

Notice of the sale and the time and place thereof shall be given to the delinquent supplier and to all persons who have an interest of record in the property in writing 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 supplier or other person at his or her last known residence or place of business in this state. If not personally served, the notice shall be deposited in the United States 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 in 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 of the taxes, penalties, interest, and costs, the name of the supplier, and the further statement that unless the taxes, penalties, interest, and costs are paid on or before the time fixed in the notice for the sale, the property, or so much of it as may be necessary, will be sold in accordance with law and the notice.

At the sale the Controller or his or her authorized agent shall sell the property in accordance with law and the notice and 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 supplier.

The Controller may bid at the sale.

If upon the sale the moneys received exceed the amount of all taxes, penalties, interest, and costs due the state from the supplier, the Controller shall return the excess to the supplier and obtain a receipt. If for any reason the receipt of the supplier is not available, the Controller shall deposit the excess moneys in an unclaimed property account, in trust for the supplier, subject to the order of the supplier, the supplier's heirs, successors, or assigns.