ARTICLE 6. Interest [19101. - 19120.]

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC 6.

in effect

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19101. Section 19101.

(a) If any amount of tax imposed by Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001) or Part 11 (commencing with Section 23001), is not paid on or before the last date prescribed for payment, interest on that amount at the adjusted annual rate established under Section 19521 shall be paid for the period from that last date to the date paid. (b) For purposes of this article, the last date prescribed for payment of the tax shall be determined under Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 19001), with the application of the following rules: (1) The last date prescribed for payment shall be determined without regard to any extension of time for payment or any installment agreement entered into under Section 19008. (2) The last date prescribed for payment shall be determined without regard to any notice and demand for payment issued, by reason of jeopardy as provided in Article 5 (commencing with Section 19081), prior to the last date otherwise prescribed for that payment. (3) In all other cases in which the last date for payment is not otherwise prescribed, the last date for payment shall be deemed to be the date the liability for tax arises (and in no event shall be later than the date notice and demand for the tax is made by the Franchise Tax Board). (c) Except as provided in this article: (1) Interest prescribed under this article on any tax shall be paid upon notice and demand, and shall be assessed, collected, and paid in the same manner as taxes. Any reference in Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001), Part 11 (commencing with Section 23001), or this part (except Article 3 (commencing with Section 19031), relating to deficiency assessments) to any tax imposed by Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001) or Part 11 (commencing with Section 23001) shall be deemed also to refer to interest imposed by this article on that tax. (2) (A) Interest shall be imposed under subdivision (a) in respect to any assessable penalty, additional amount, or addition to the tax (other than an addition to tax imposed under Section 19131, 19132, or 19164) only if that assessable penalty, additional amount, or addition to the tax is not paid within 15 calendar days from the date of notice and demand therefor, and in that case interest shall be imposed only for the period from the date of the notice and demand to the date of payment. (B) Interest shall be imposed under this article with respect to any addition to tax imposed by Section 19131 (relating to failure to file a return on or before the due date), Section 19132 (relating to underpayment of tax), or Section 19164 (relating to imposition of the accuracy-related penalty), for the period that: (i) Begins on the date on which the return of the tax with respect to which that addition to tax is imposed is required to be filed (including any extensions), and (ii) Ends on the date of payment of that addition to tax. (3) If notice and demand is made for payment of any amount and if that amount is paid within 15 calendar days after the date of the notice and demand, interest under this article on the amount so paid shall not be imposed for the period after the date of the notice and demand. (d) This article shall not apply to any failure to pay estimated tax required by Section 19025 or 19136.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19104. Section 19104.

(a) The Franchise Tax Board may abate all or any part of any of the following: (1) Any interest on a deficiency or related to a proposed deficiency to the extent that interest is attributable in whole or in part to any unreasonable error or delay by an officer or employee of the Franchise Tax Board (acting in his or her official capacity) in performing a ministerial or managerial act. (2) Any interest on a payment of any tax described in Section 19033 to the extent that any delay in that payment is attributable to an officer or employee of the Franchise Tax Board (acting in his or her official capacity) being dilatory in performing a ministerial or managerial act. (3) Any interest accruing from a deficiency based on a final federal determination of tax, for the same period that interest was abated on the related federal deficiency amount under Section 6404(e) of the Internal Revenue Code, and the error or delay occurred on or before the issuance of the final federal determination. This subparagraph shall apply to any ministerial act for which the interest accrued after September 25, 1987, or for any managerial act applicable to a taxable year beginning on or after January 1, 1998, for which the Franchise Tax Board may propose an assessment or allow a claim for refund. (b) For purposes of subdivision (a): (1) Except as provided in paragraph (3), an error or delay shall be taken into account only if no significant aspect of that error or delay can be attributed to the taxpayer involved and after the Franchise Tax Board has contacted the taxpayer in writing with respect to that deficiency or payment. (2) (A) Except as provided in paragraph (4), after the Franchise Tax Board mails its notice of determination not to abate interest, a taxpayer may appeal the Franchise Tax Board’s determination to the State Board of Equalization within the following periods: (i) Thirty days in the case of any unpaid interest described under subdivision (a). (ii) Ninety days in the case of any paid interest described under subdivision (a). (B) The State Board of Equalization shall have jurisdiction over the appeal to determine whether the Franchise Tax Board’s failure to abate interest under this section was an abuse of discretion, and may order an abatement. (C) Except for clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (A), the provisions of this paragraph are operative for requests for abatement of interest made on or after January 1, 1998. The provisions of clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (A) shall apply to requests for abatement of interest made on or after January 1, 2001, in accordance with subdivision (d). (3) If the Franchise Tax Board fails to mail its notice of determination on a request to abate interest within six months after the request is filed, the taxpayer may consider that the Franchise Tax Board has determined not to abate interest and appeal that determination to the board. This paragraph shall not apply to requests for abatement of interest made pursuant to paragraph (4). (4) A request for abatement of interest related to a proposed deficiency may be made with the written protest of the underlying proposed deficiency filed pursuant to Section 19041 or with an appeal to the board under Section 19045 in the form and manner required by the Franchise Tax Board. The action of the Franchise Tax Board denying any portion of the request for abatement of interest relating to the proposed deficiency shall be considered as part of the appeal of the action of the Franchise Tax Board on the protest of the proposed deficiency. If the taxpayer filed an appeal from the Franchise Tax Board’s action on the protest of a proposed deficiency and the deficiency is final pursuant to Section 19048, the taxpayer may not thereafter request an abatement of interest accruing prior to the time the deficiency is final. However, the taxpayer may thereafter request an abatement pursuant to this section limited to interest accruing after the deficiency is final. (c) The Franchise Tax Board shall abate the assessment of all interest on any erroneous refund for which an action for recovery is provided under Section 19411 until 30 days after the date demand for repayment is made, unless the taxpayer (or a related party) has in any way caused that erroneous refund. (d) The amendments made to this section by Chapter 863 of the Statutes of 2000 shall apply to requests for abatement of interest and appeals made on or after January 1, 2001. (e) Except as provided in subparagraph (C) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (b), the amendments made by Chapter 600 of the Statutes of 1997 are operative with respect to taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 1998.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19105. Section 19105.

In the case of an individual or fiduciary, the Franchise Tax Board shall not assess interest charges pursuant to Section 19101 for the period between 45 days after the date of final review of an audit determining an additional amount is owed and the date a notice of proposed deficiency assessment is sent to the taxpayer.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19107. Section 19107.

Where an overpayment is made by any individual for any year, and a deficiency is owing from the spouse of the taxpayer for the same year, and both spouses notify the Franchise Tax Board in writing prior to the expiration of the time within which credit for the overpayment may be allowed that the overpayment may be credited against the deficiency, no interest shall be assessed on that portion of the deficiency as is extinguished by the credit for the period of time subsequent to the date the overpayment was made.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19108. Section 19108.

(a) Where an overpayment is made by any taxpayer for any year, and a deficiency is owing from the same taxpayer for any other year, the overpayment, if the period within which credit for the overpayment may be allowed has not expired, shall be credited on the deficiency, if the period within which assessment of the deficiency may be proposed has not expired, and the balance, if any, shall be credited or refunded to the taxpayer. No interest shall be assessed on the portion of the deficiency as is extinguished by the credit for the period of time subsequent to the date the overpayment was made. (b) For the purposes of this section the returns of a decedent and his or her estate shall be considered returns of the same taxpayer and the returns for the decedent and his or her estate filed for the year of death shall be considered returns for different taxable years. (c) This section is not intended, nor shall it be construed, as a limitation on the Franchise Tax Board’s right to offset or recoup barred assessments against overpayments.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19109. Section 19109.

(a) If the Franchise Tax Board extends for any period the time for filing a return under Section 18572 or subdivision (a) of Section 18567 and the time for paying the tax under Section 18572 or subdivision (c) of Section 18567 (and waives any penalties relating to the failure to so file or so pay) for any taxpayer located in a presidentially declared disaster area or any county or city in this state which is proclaimed by the Governor to be in a state of emergency that incurred a loss, the Franchise Tax Board shall abate for that period the assessment of any interest prescribed under this article on that tax. (b) (1) The Franchise Tax Board may, after written request by a taxpayer, abate the interest on any deficiency or related to a proposed deficiency described in Section 19033 or on a payment of tax to the extent that interest is attributable in whole or in part to the Franchise Tax Board’s delay in the mailing of a notice or other correspondence that requires a response from a taxpayer, in connection with a presidentially declared disaster area, or any county or city in this state that is proclaimed by the Governor to be in a state of emergency. (2) (A) Except as provided in paragraph (4), after the Franchise Tax Board mails its notice of determination not to abate interest, a taxpayer may appeal the Franchise Tax Board’s determination to the board within the following period, as applicable: (i) Thirty days in the case of any unpaid interest described under paragraph (1). (ii) Ninety days in the case of any paid interest described under paragraph (1). (B) The board shall have jurisdiction over the appeal to determine whether the Franchise Tax Board’s failure to abate interest under this subdivision was an abuse of discretion, and may order an abatement. (3) If the Franchise Tax Board fails to mail its notice of determination on a request to abate interest within six months after the request is filed, it shall be considered that the Franchise Tax Board has determined not to abate interest and the taxpayer may appeal that determination to the board. This paragraph shall not apply to requests for abatement of interest made under paragraph (4). (4) A request for abatement of interest related to a proposed deficiency may be made with the written protest of the underlying proposed deficiency filed under Section 19041 or with an appeal to the board under Section 19045 in the form and manner required by the Franchise Tax Board. The action of the Franchise Tax Board denying any portion of the request for abatement of interest related to the proposed deficiency shall be considered as part of the appeal of the action of the Franchise Tax Board on the protest of the proposed deficiency. If the taxpayer filed an appeal from the Franchise Tax Board’s action on the protest of a proposed deficiency and the deficiency is final pursuant to Section 19048, the taxpayer may not thereafter request an abatement of interest accruing prior to the time the deficiency is final. The taxpayer, however, may thereafter request an abatement pursuant to this subdivision limited to the interest accruing after the deficiency is final. (5) This subdivision shall apply to requests for abatement of interest made on or after the effective date of the act adding this paragraph. (c) For purposes of this section, the term “presidentially declared disaster area” means, with respect to any taxpayer, any area which the President has determined warrants assistance by the federal government under the Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19110. Section 19110.

(a) When the correction of an erroneous inclusion or deduction of an item or items in the computation of income of a trust, estate, parent, or spouse for any year results in an overpayment for that year by the trust, estate, parent, or spouse, and also results in a deficiency for the same year for a grantor of the trust or beneficiary of the estate or trust, or child of the parent, or spouse of the child, or the spouse of the spouse, the overpayment, if the period within which credit for the overpayment may be allowed has not expired, shall be credited on the deficiency, if the period within which the deficiency may be proposed has not expired, and the balance, if any, shall be credited or refunded. No interest shall be assessed on the portion of the deficiency as is extinguished by the credit for the period of time subsequent to the date the overpayment was made. (b) When the correction of an erroneous inclusion or deduction of an item or items in the computation of income of a grantor of a trust, beneficiary of an estate or trust, a child, or spouse of the child, or a spouse for any year results in an overpayment for that year by the grantor, beneficiary, child, or spouse, and also results in a deficiency for the same year for the grantor’s or beneficiary’s trust, the beneficiary’s estate, the child’s parent, or spouse of the child, or the beneficiary’s spouse, the overpayment, if the period within which credit for the overpayment may be allowed has not expired, shall be credited on the deficiency, if the period within which the deficiency may be proposed has not expired, and the balance, if any, shall be credited or refunded. No interest shall be assessed on the portion of the deficiency as is extinguished by the credit for the period of time subsequent to the date the overpayment was made. (c) Subdivisions (a) and (b) are not intended, nor shall they be construed as a limitation on the Franchise Tax Board’s right to offset or recoup barred assessments against overpayments.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19112. Section 19112.

Interest may be waived for any period for which the Franchise Tax Board determines that an individual or fiduciary demonstrates inability to pay that interest solely because of extreme financial hardship caused by significant disability or other catastrophic circumstance. Any waiver under this section shall be withdrawn retroactively if made because of fraud, malfeasance, misrepresentation, or omission of any material fact.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19113. Section 19113.

If any portion of a tax is satisfied by credit of an overpayment, then no interest shall be imposed under this article on the portion of the tax so satisfied for any period during which, if the credit had not been made, interest would have been allowable with respect to the overpayment.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19114. Section 19114.

Interest prescribed under this article on any tax may be assessed and collected at any time during the period within which the tax to which the interest relates may be collected.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19116. Section 19116.

(a) In the case of an individual who files a return of tax imposed under Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001) for a taxable year on or before the due date for the return, including extensions, if the Franchise Tax Board does not provide a notice to the taxpayer specifically stating the taxpayer’s liability and the basis of the liability before the close of the notification period, the Franchise Tax Board shall suspend the imposition of any interest, penalty, addition to tax, or additional amount with respect to any failure relating to the return which is computed by reference to the period of time the failure continues to exist and which is properly allocable to the suspension period. (b) For purposes of this section: (1) Except as provided in subdivision (e), “notification period” means the 36-month period beginning on the later of either of the following: (A) The date on which the return is filed. (B) The due date of the return without regard to extensions. (2) “Suspension period” means the period beginning on the day after the close of the notification period and ending on the date which is 15 days after the date on which notice described in subdivision (a) is provided by the Franchise Tax Board. (3) If, after the return for a taxable year is filed, the taxpayer provides to the Franchise Tax Board one or more signed written documents showing that the taxpayer owes an additional amount of tax for the taxable year, paragraph (1) shall be applied by substituting the date the last of the documents was provided for the date on which the return was filed. (c) This section shall be applied separately with respect to each item or adjustment. (d) This section shall not apply to any of the following: (1) Any penalty imposed by Section 19131. (2) Any penalty imposed by Section 19132. (3) Any interest, penalty, addition to tax, or additional amount involving fraud. (4) Any interest, penalty, addition to tax, or additional amount with respect to any tax liability shown on the return. (5) Any criminal penalty. (6) Any interest, penalty, addition to tax, or additional amount with respect to any gross misstatement. (7) Any interest, penalty, addition to tax, or additional amount relating to any reportable transaction with respect to which the requirements of Section 6664(d)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code are not met, and any listed transaction, as defined in Section 6707A(c) of the Internal Revenue Code. (8) Any interest, penalty, addition to tax, or additional amount relating to any abusive tax avoidance transaction, as defined in Section 19777, as amended by the act adding this paragraph. (e) For taxpayers required by subdivision (a) of Section 18622 to report a change or correction by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue or other officer of the United States or other competent authority the following rules shall apply: (1) The notification period under subdivision (a) shall be either of the following: (A) One year from the date the notice required by Section 18622 is filed with the Franchise Tax Board by the taxpayer or the Internal Revenue Service, if the taxpayer or the Internal Revenue Service reports that change or correction within six months after the final federal determination. (B) Two years from the date when the notice required by Section 18622 is filed with the Franchise Tax Board by the taxpayer or the Internal Revenue Service, if after the six-month period required in Section 18622, a taxpayer or the Internal Revenue Service reports a change or correction. (2) The suspension period under subdivision (a) shall mean the period beginning on the day after the close of the notification period under paragraph (1) and ending on the date which is 15 days after the date on which notice described in subdivision (a) is provided by the Franchise Tax Board. (f) For notices sent after January 1, 2004, this section does not apply to taxpayers with taxable income greater than two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) that have been contacted by the Franchise Tax Board regarding the use of a potentially abusive tax shelter as defined by Section 19777, as added by Chapter 656 of the Statutes of 2003 and amended by Section 331 of Chapter 183 of the Statutes of 2004. (g) This section shall apply to taxable years ending after October 10, 1999. (h) The amendments made to this section by Chapter 691 of the Statutes of 2005 shall apply to notices sent after January 1, 2005. (i) (1) The amendments made to paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) by Chapter 14 of the Statutes of 2010 shall apply to notices provided after January 1, 2011. (2) Paragraph (3) of subdivision (b), as added by Chapter 14 of the Statutes of 2010, shall apply to documents provided on or after January 1, 2011. (3) Paragraph (8) of subdivision (d), as added by the act adding this paragraph, shall apply to notices provided, or amended returns filed, on or after January 1, 2012.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19117. Section 19117.

(a) The Franchise Tax Board shall include with each notice to an individual taxpayer which includes an amount of interest required to be paid by the taxpayer under this part information with respect to the section under which interest is imposed and a description of how the interest is computed. Upon the request of the taxpayer, the Franchise Tax Board shall also provide a computation of the interest. (b) This section shall apply to any notice issued after December 31, 2001.

Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 19120. Section 19120.

Any portion of any amount that has been erroneously refunded and that is recoverable by suit pursuant to Section 19411 shall bear interest at the adjusted annual rate established pursuant to Section 19521 from the date of the payment of the refund. Abatement of interest under this section is governed by subdivision (c) of Section 19104.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026