On the importance of the Board of Equalization

Board of Equalization (BOE) candidate Peter Verbica reiterates his conversation with the Mercury News editorial board regarding the importance of the BOE for an equitable and efficient statewide tax system. Below is an excerpt from a Verbica letter to the Merc, outlining his views of three reasons supporting continued support for a healthy BOE.

1. Help and Guidance.  With tens of thousands of backlogs on taxpayers, county tax assessors need the assistance and guidance that the BOE, at its best, can provide, including navigating the complexities of Proposition 19.    

2. Efficiency Shouldn’t Override Due Process.  The goal of improved efficiency should not override equitable due process.  It’s important, especially during these times of COVID that taxpayers are given due process, and if their matters are being heard remotely, that the due process is on the same level as to what one would experience in person.  The BOE can help ensure that this best practice is implemented.  

3. Loss of the BOE Taxpayer Advocate Hurts the California Taxpayer.  Closing the BOE would change the nature of taxpayer advocacy; the BOE taxpayer advocate doesn’t place revenues for the sovereign as its priority.  Should the function of taxpayer redress be migrated to another department, that “judge” may place revenue collections rather than taxpayer fairness as his or her priority.  

Verbica can be reached at: peter.verbica@gmail.com

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Photo by Phil Roeder