California Tax Defense — Los Angeles
Los Angeles FTB Attorney
How the FTB Approaches Los Angeles Taxpayers
The FTB administers California’s personal income tax and corporate franchise tax statewide, with audit and collections operations covering all California counties including Los Angeles’s area. Los Angeles taxpayers interact with the FTB’s Southern California audit and collections operations. High-income earners, real estate investors, and entertainment industry professionals are among the most common audit targets.
FTB audits are initiated by one of three methods: a random audit selection, a computer-generated notice based on a discrepancy in reported income, or a conformity audit triggered by an IRS adjustment. California law requires taxpayers to notify the FTB of any IRS-initiated change to their federal return within six months. Failure to do so extends the FTB’s statute of limitations indefinitely on that adjustment.
Common FTB Issues in Los Angeles
The FTB issues that come up most frequently for Los Angeles-area taxpayers reflect the economic character of this market. Los Angeles has the most concentrated entertainment industry tax issues in the country — deferred compensation, loan-out corporations, and royalty income structures that generate recurring IRS scrutiny. Real estate investors face capital gains and depreciation recapture issues, and tech founders navigating equity compensation add complexity.
Beyond industry-specific issues, FTB audits frequently involve:
- Residency audits: California taxes all income of residents. When a taxpayer claims to have left California, the FTB may audit to determine whether they truly changed domicile. The FTB’s audit guidelines examine where the taxpayer’s closest connections are — home, family, business interests, financial accounts, vehicle registrations, and club memberships all matter.
- Pass-through entity income: California S corporations and partnerships pass income through to their owners, who are subject to California income tax even if they receive distributions from out-of-state. Basis calculations and at-risk rules under California law generally conform to federal, with some differences.
- Real estate basis and depreciation: California conforms to federal depreciation schedules for most assets, but differences exist in bonus depreciation and Section 179 expensing. Capital gains on California real estate are taxed at ordinary rates by California regardless of the federal preferential rate.
FTB Collections in Los Angeles
When the FTB determines a tax balance is owed, its collections authority is broad. Under California Revenue and Taxation Code § 18817, the FTB can issue an Order to Withhold (OTW) directed at a bank or employer without first obtaining a court judgment. The FTB can also record a state tax lien under R&TC § 7171, which affects real property in any California county where it is recorded.
For Los Angeles-area taxpayers facing FTB collections, the resolution options include:
- Installment agreement: The FTB will enter into a monthly payment arrangement for balances it cannot collect immediately. The agreement suspends collection activity, but interest continues to accrue.
- Offer in Compromise (OIC): The FTB has its own OIC program under R&TC § 19443. The standards are similar to the federal program but not identical — the FTB considers the taxpayer’s ability to pay, reasonable collection potential, and doubt as to liability.
- Protest and appeal: If the underlying tax assessment is wrong, the correct response is to protest the Notice of Proposed Assessment within 60 days, then appeal to the Office of Tax Appeals (OTA) if the protest is denied. Paying the tax first and seeking a refund is also an option, but has different procedural requirements.
Talk with a California FTB Attorney
If you have an FTB audit notice, collections action, or a residency dispute, we can walk through what you are facing and what the realistic options look like. Free 15-minute call.
About Sam Brotman
I am the managing attorney at Brotman Law. I hold a J.D. from the University of San Diego School of Law, an LL.M. in Taxation, and an MBA. I am a member of the California State Bar (Bar No. 274966) and admitted before the U.S. Tax Court. I have been named a Super Lawyer every year since 2016. Brotman Law has resolved more than 2,500 tax matters and over $1 billion in combined tax liabilities since 2013. I represent clients throughout California, including Los Angeles-area individuals and businesses, from our San Diego office.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the California FTB look for when auditing Los Angeles taxpayers?
The FTB examines Los Angeles-area taxpayers for underreported income, improper expense deductions, and California-sourced income mischaracterization. Los Angeles taxpayers interact with the FTB’s Southern California audit and collections operations. High-income earners, real estate investors, and entertainment industry professionals are among the most common audit targets. The FTB also conducts residency audits for taxpayers who have moved out of California.
How does an FTB audit differ from an IRS audit?
FTB audits are governed by California Revenue and Taxation Code rather than the Internal Revenue Code, though the two systems share many structural similarities. Key differences include California’s community property rules, its partial conformity to federal law on specific deduction items, and California’s own residency and source rules. A federal audit often triggers a California conformity audit, and vice versa.
Can the FTB levy my bank account or wages without going to court?
Yes. The FTB has administrative levy authority under California Revenue and Taxation Code § 18817. It can issue an Order to Withhold (OTW) directed at your bank or employer without first obtaining a court judgment. If you receive a Notice of Proposed Assessment or Notice of Tax Due, there are time-limited protest and appeal rights — contacting a tax attorney before those deadlines pass is important.
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Los Angeles FTB matters handled statewide from San Diego.
If you have an FTB audit, a collections problem, or a residency dispute, we can talk through what you are dealing with and what your options look like. Free 15-minute call.