July 7, 2020
Assembly Member Autumn Burke, Chair
Committee on Revenue and Taxation
Re: Oppose SB 972 (Skinner)
Inland Action opposes SB 972 (Skinner). The release of “private tax information” to the public is unprecedented and a breach of trust. It is the responsibility of the Franchise Tax Board to protect the rights of California taxpayers. These rights include the right to privacy and confidentiality and the right to pay no more than the correct legal amount of tax owed.
There is absolutely no valid reason to violate the fundamental principle of taxpayer confidentiality. The Bill would create an erosion of trust. Currently, taxpayers know with absolutely certainty that their tax information is safeguarded. This Bill would break that trust.
It is a certainty that if the premise of this Bill is allowed to advance, it will be just a matter of time before all California taxpayers will be at risk of loss of a long-held assurance of privacy and confidentiality.
For these, and other reasons, Inland Action strongly opposes SB 972.
Sincerely,
Carole Beswick, CEO