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CALIFORNIA STATUTES AND CODES
SECTIONS 22250-22259
BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE
SECTION 22250-22259
22250. (a) A tax preparer shall maintain a bond issued by a surety company admitted to do business in this state for each individual preparing tax returns for another person. The principal sum of the bond shall be five thousand dollars ($5,000). A tax preparer subject to this section shall provide to the surety company proof that the individual is at least 18 years of age before a surety bond may be issued. (b) The bond required by this section shall be in favor of, and payable to, the people of the State of California and shall be for the benefit of any person or persons damaged by any fraud, dishonesty, misstatement, misrepresentation, deceit, or any unlawful acts or omissions by the tax preparer, or the tax preparers employed or associated with it to provide tax preparation services. (c) The tax preparer filing the bond shall identify all tax preparers employed or associated with the tax preparer and shall provide for each employee or associate the evidence required by subdivision (a) to the surety company. A tax preparer employed or associated with a tax preparer shall be covered by the bond of the tax preparer with which he or she is employed or associated. However, in no event shall the total bond required for any single tax preparer and the tax preparers employed or associated with it be required to exceed one hundred twenty-five thousand dollars ($125,000). The aggregate liability of the surety to any and all persons regardless of the number of claims against the bond or the number of years the bond remains in force shall not exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) for any one tax preparer. Any revision of the bond amount shall not be cumulative. The liability of the surety on the bond shall not include payment of any civil penalties, fines, attorneys' fees, or any other cost provided by statute or regulation. (d) The tax preparer shall file an amendment to the bond within 30 days of a change in information contained in the bond, including a change in the tax preparers employed or associated with the tax preparer. (e) (1) A tax preparer may not conduct business without having a current surety bond in the amount prescribed by this section. (2) Thirty days prior to the cancellation or termination of any surety bond required by this section, the surety shall send a written notice of that cancellation or termination to the tax preparer and the California Tax Education Council, identifying the bond and the date of cancellation or termination. (3) If a tax preparer fails to obtain a new bond by the effective date of the cancellation or termination of the former bond, the tax preparer shall cease to conduct business until that time as a new surety bond is obtained. (f) Notwithstanding Section 995.710 of the Code of Civil Procedure, a tax preparer may not make a deposit in lieu of bond. (g) A tax preparer shall furnish evidence of the bond required by this section upon the request of any state, federal agency or any law enforcement agency or the California Tax Education Council. 22251. For the purposes of this chapter, the following words have the following meanings: (a) (1) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (2), "tax preparer" includes: (A) A person who, for a fee or for other consideration, assists with or prepares tax returns for another person or who assumes final responsibility for completed work on a return on which preliminary work has been done by another person, or who holds himself or herself out as offering those services. A person engaged in that activity shall be deemed to be a separate person for the purposes of this chapter, irrespective of affiliation with, or employment by, another tax preparer. (B) A corporation, partnership, association, or other entity that has associated with it persons not exempted under Section 22258, which persons shall have as part of their responsibilities the preparation of data and ultimate signatory authority on tax returns or that holds itself out as offering those services or having that authority. (2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), "tax preparer" does not include an employee who, as part of the regular clerical duties of his or her employment, prepares his or her employer's income, sales, or payroll tax returns. (b) "Tax return" means a return, declaration, statement, refund claim, or other document required to be made or filed in connection with state or federal income taxes or state bank and corporation franchise taxes. (c) An "approved curriculum provider," for purposes of basic instruction as described in subdivision (a) of Section 22255, and continuing education as described in subdivision (b) of Section 22255, is one who has been approved by the council as defined in subdivision (d). A curriculum provider who is approved by the tax education council is exempt from Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 94700) of Part 59 of Division 10 of the Education Code. (d) "Council" means the California Tax Education Council that is a single organization made up of not more than one representative from each professional society, association, or other entity operating as a nonprofit corporation that chooses to participate in the council and that represents tax preparers, enrolled agents, attorneys, or certified public accountants with a membership in California of at least 200 for the last three years, and not more than one representative from each for-profit tax preparation corporation that chooses to participate in the council and that has at least 200 employees and has been operating in California for the last three years. The council shall establish a process by which six individuals who are tax preparers pursuant to Section 22255 are appointed to the council with full voting privileges to serve terms as determined by the council, with their initial terms being served on a staggered basis. A person exempt from the requirements of this chapter pursuant to Section 22258 is not eligible for appointment to the council, other than an employee of an individual in an exempt category. (e) "Client" means an individual for whom a tax preparer performs or agrees to perform tax preparation services. (f) "Refund anticipation loan" means a loan, whether provided by the tax preparer or another entity, such as a financial institution, in anticipation of, and whose payment is secured by, a client's federal or state income tax refund or by both. (g) "Refund anticipation loan fee schedule" means a list or table of refund anticipation loan fees that includes three or more representative refund anticipation loan amounts. The schedule shall separately list each fee or charge imposed, as well as a total of all fees imposed, related to the making of a refund anticipation loan. The schedule shall also include, for each representative loan amount, the estimated annual percentage rate calculated under the guidelines established by the federal Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. Sec. 1601 and following). 22252. Prior to rendering any tax preparation services, a tax preparer shall provide the customer in writing with the tax preparer' s name, address, telephone number, and evidence of compliance with the bonding requirement of Section 22250, including the bond number, if any. 22252.1. (a) No confidential information obtained by a tax preparer, in his or her professional capacity, concerning a client or a prospective client shall be disclosed by the tax preparer without the written permission of the client or prospective client, except for the following: (1) Disclosures made by a tax preparer in compliance with a subpoena or a summons enforceable by order of a court. (2) Disclosures made by a tax preparer regarding a client or prospective client to the extent the tax preparer reasonably believes it is necessary to maintain or defend himself or herself in a legal proceeding initiated by the client or prospective client. (3) Disclosures made by a tax preparer in response to an official inquiry from a federal or state government regulatory agency. (4) Disclosures made by a tax preparer or to a tax preparer's duly authorized representative to another tax preparer in connection with a proposed sale or merger of the tax preparer's professional practice. (5) Disclosures made by a tax preparer to either of the following: (A) Another tax preparer to the extent necessary for purposes of professional consultation. (B) Organizations that provide professional standards review and ethics or quality control peer review. (6) Disclosures made when specifically required by law. (b) In the event that confidential client information may be disclosed to persons or entities outside the United States of America in connection with the services provided, the tax preparer shall inform the client in writing and obtain the client's written permission for the disclosure. (c) It is the intent of the Legislature that this section complement and does not replace Section 17530.5 as applied to tax preparers by subdivision (f) of Section 1799.1a of the Civil Code. 22252.5. The Legislature finds and declares that it is important to inform taxpayers that they may make voluntary contributions to certain funds or programs, as provided on the state income tax return. The Legislature further finds and declares that many taxpayers remain unaware of the voluntary contribution check-offs on the state income tax return. Therefore, it is the intent of the Legislature to encourage all persons who prepare state income tax returns, including tax preparers, to inform their clients in writing, prior to the completion of any state income tax return, that they may make a contribution to any voluntary contribution check-off on the state income tax return if they so choose. 22253. (a) It is a violation of this chapter for a tax preparer to do any of the following: (1) Fail to register as a tax preparer with the council. (2) Make, or authorize the making of, any statement or representation, oral or written or recorded by any means, which is intended to induce persons to use the tax preparation service of the tax preparer, which statement or representation is fraudulent, untrue, or misleading. (3) Obtain the signature of a customer to a tax return or authorizing document which contains blank spaces to be filled in after it has been signed. (4) Fail or refuse to give a customer, for his or her own records, a copy of any document requiring the customer's signature, within a reasonable time after the customer signs the document. (5) Fail to maintain a copy of any tax return prepared for a customer for four years from the date of completion or the due date of the return, whichever is later. (6) Engage in advertising practices which are fraudulent, untrue, or misleading, including, but not limited to, assertions that the bond required by Section 22250 in any way implies licensure or endorsement of a tax preparer by the State of California. (7) Violate Section 17530.5 or 17530.6. (8) Violate Section 7216 of Title 26 of the United States Code. (9) Fail to sign a customer's tax return when payment for services rendered has been made. (10) Fail to return, upon the demand by or on behalf of a customer, records or other data provided to the tax preparer by the customer. (11) Knowingly give false or misleading information to the consumer pursuant to Section 22252, or give false or misleading information to the surety company pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 22250, or give false or misleading information to the California Tax Education Council pursuant to Section 22255. (b) Each violation of this section constitutes a separate offense. 22253.1. (a) Any tax preparer who advertises the availability of a refund anticipation loan shall not directly or indirectly represent the loan as a client's actual refund. Any advertisement that mentions a refund anticipation loan shall state conspicuously that it is a loan and that a fee or interest will be charged by the lending institution. The advertisement shall also disclose the name of the lending institution. (b) Every tax preparer who offers to facilitate, or who facilitates, a refund anticipation loan to a client shall display a refund anticipation loan schedule showing the current fees for refund anticipation loans facilitated at the office, for the electronic filing of the client's tax return, for setting up a refund account, and any other related activities necessary to receive a refund anticipation loan. The fee schedule shall also include a statement indicating that the client may have the tax return filed electronically without also obtaining a refund anticipation loan. (c) The postings required by this section shall be made in not less than 28-point type on a document measuring not less than 16 by 20 inches. The postings required in this section shall be displayed in a prominent location at each office where any tax preparer is offering to facilitate or facilitating a refund anticipation loan. (d) (1) Prior to the client's completion of the refund anticipation loan application, a tax preparer that offers to facilitate a refund anticipation loan shall provide to the client a clear, written disclosure containing all of the following information: (A) The refund anticipation loan fee schedule. (B) That a refund anticipation loan is a loan and is not the client's actual income tax refund. (C) That the taxpayer can file an income tax return electronically without applying for a refund anticipation loan. (D) The average amount of time, according to the Internal Revenue Service, within which a taxpayer who does not obtain a refund anticipation loan can expect to receive a refund if the taxpayer's return is filed or mailed as follows: (i) Filed electronically and the refund is deposited directly into the taxpayer's bank account or mailed to the taxpayer. (ii) Mailed to the Internal Revenue Service and the refund is deposited directly into the taxpayer's bank account or mailed to the taxpayer. (E) That the Internal Revenue Service does not guarantee that it will pay the full amount of the anticipated refund and it does not guarantee a specific date that a refund will be deposited into the taxpayer's bank account or mailed to the taxpayer. (F) That the client is responsible for the repayment of the refund anticipation loan and the related fees in the event that the tax refund is not paid or paid in full. (G) The estimated time within which the loan proceeds will be paid to the client if the loan is approved. (H) The fee that will be charged, if any, if the client's loan is not approved. (2) Prior to the client's consummation of the refund anticipation loan transaction, a tax preparer that facilitates a refund anticipation loan shall provide to the client, in either written or electronic form, the following information: (A) The estimated total fees for obtaining the refund anticipation loan. (B) The estimated annual percentage rate for the client's refund anticipation loan, using the guidelines established under the federal Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. Sec. 1601 and following). (C) A comparison of the various costs, fees, and finance charges, if applicable, associated with receiving a refund by mail or by direct deposit directly from the Internal Revenue Service, a refund anticipation loan, a refund anticipation check, or any other refund settlement options facilitated by the tax preparation service. (e) This section shall comply with the language requirements set forth in Section 1632 of the Civil Code. (f) Any tax preparer who offers to facilitate, or who facilitates, a refund anticipation loan may not engage in any of the following activities: (1) Requiring a client to enter into a loan arrangement in order to complete a tax return. (2) Misrepresenting a material factor or condition of a refund anticipation loan. (3) Failing to process the application for a refund anticipation loan promptly after the client applies for the loan. (4) Engaging in any transaction, practice, or course of business that operates a fraud upon any person in connection with a refund anticipation loan. 22253.2. (a) The Franchise Tax Board shall notify the California Tax Education Council when it identifies an individual who has violated paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 22253. (b) Upon receiving the notice described in subdivision (a), the California Tax Education Council shall notify the Attorney General, a district attorney, or a city attorney of the violation. Upon receiving this notice, the Attorney General, a district attorney, or a city attorney may do any of the following: (1) Cite individuals preparing tax returns in violation of subdivision (a) of Section 22253. (2) Levy a fine up to five thousand dollars ($5,000) per violation. (3) Issue a cease and desist order, which shall remain in effect until the individual has complied with paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 22253. (c) The California Tax Education Council may enter into an agreement with the Franchise Tax Board to provide reimbursement to the Franchise Tax Board for any expenses incurred by the Franchise Tax Board to implement subdivision (a) of this section. 22254. A provider of tax preparer education for tax preparers shall meet standards and procedures as approved by the council. The council shall either approve or decline to approve providers of tax preparer education within 120 days of receiving a request for approval. If approval is not declined within 120 days, the provider shall be deemed approved. A listing of those providers approved by the council shall be made available to tax preparers upon request. 22255. (a) The council shall issue a "certificate of completion" to the tax preparer when the tax preparer demonstrates that he or she has (1) completed not less than 60 hours of instruction in basic personal income tax law, theory, and practice by an approved curriculum provider within the previous 18 months; and (2) provides evidence of compliance with the bonding requirement of Section 22250, including the name of the surety company, the bond number, and the bond expiration date. Of the required 60 hours, 45 hours shall be concerned with federal tax curriculum and 15 hours shall be concerned with state tax curriculum. (b) A tax preparer shall complete on an annual basis not less than 20 hours of continuing education, including 12 hours in federal taxation, four hours in California taxation and an additional four hours in either federal or California taxation from an approved curriculum provider. The council shall issue annually a "statement of compliance" when the tax preparer demonstrates that he or she has (1) completed the required 20 hours of continuing education, and (2) provides evidence of compliance with the bonding requirement of Section 22250, including the name of the surety company, the bond number, and the bond expiration date. (c) An individual who possesses a minimum of two recent years experience in the preparation of personal income tax returns may petition the council to review the experience and determine if it is the equivalent of the required qualifying education. The council may provide that individual with a "certificate of completion" if it is determined that the experience is the equivalent of the required hours. Tax preparation performed in situations that violate this chapter, by an individual who is neither registered nor exempted, may not be used toward the qualifying experience needed for registration as a tax preparer. 22256. (a) The superior court in and for the county in which any person acts as a tax preparer in violation of the provisions of this chapter, may, upon a petition by any person, issue an injunction or other appropriate order restraining the conduct. The proceedings under this paragraph shall be governed by Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 525) of Title 7 of Part 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure. (b) A person who violates a provision of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor, which offense is punishable by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by imprisonment in a county jail for not more than one year, or by both. 22257. (a) If a tax preparer fails to perform a duty specifically imposed upon him or her pursuant to this chapter, any person may maintain an action for enforcement of those duties or to recover a civil penalty in the amount of one thousand dollars ($1,000), or for both enforcement and recovery. (b) In an action to enforce these duties or to recover civil penalties, or for both enforcement and recovery, the prevailing plaintiff shall be entitled to reasonable attorney's fees and costs, in addition to the civil penalties provided under subdivision (a). 22258. (a) The following persons are exempt from the requirements of this title, subject to the requirements of subdivision (b): (1) A person with a current and valid license issued by the California Board of Accountancy. (2) A person who is an active member of the State Bar of California. (3) Any trust company or trust business as defined in Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 99) of Division 1 of the Financial Code. (4) A financial institution regulated by the state or federal government, insofar as the activities of the financial institution with respect to tax preparation are subject to federal or state examination or oversight. (5) A person who is enrolled to practice before the Internal Revenue Service pursuant to Subpart A (commencing with Section 10.1) of Part 10 of Title 31 of the Code of Federal Regulations. (6) Any employee of any person described in paragraph (1), (2), (3), (4), or (5), while functioning within the scope of that employment. (7) Any employee of any corporation, partnership, association, or any entity described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 22251. (b) (1) Except for employees of entities described in paragraph (3) or (4) of subdivision (a), paragraph (6) of subdivision (a) shall apply only if all tax returns prepared by that employee are signed by a person described in paragraph (1), (2), or (5) of subdivision (a). (2) Paragraph (7) of subdivision (a) shall apply only if all tax returns prepared by that employee are signed by the person described in paragraph (7) of subdivision (a). (3) No person described in this subdivision as an employee may sign a tax return, unless that employee is otherwise exempt under this section, is registered as a tax preparer with the council, or is an employee of either a trust company or trust business described in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a), or any employee of a financial institution described in paragraph (4) of subdivision (a). (c) For purposes of this section, preparation of a tax return includes the inputting of tax data into a computer. 22259. This chapter shall be subject to the review required by Division 1.2 (commencing with Section 473). This chapter shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2015, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2015, deletes or extends that date.
SECTION 22250-22259
22250. (a) A tax preparer shall maintain a bond issued by a surety company admitted to do business in this state for each individual preparing tax returns for another person. The principal sum of the bond shall be five thousand dollars ($5,000). A tax preparer subject to this section shall provide to the surety company proof that the individual is at least 18 years of age before a surety bond may be issued. (b) The bond required by this section shall be in favor of, and payable to, the people of the State of California and shall be for the benefit of any person or persons damaged by any fraud, dishonesty, misstatement, misrepresentation, deceit, or any unlawful acts or omissions by the tax preparer, or the tax preparers employed or associated with it to provide tax preparation services. (c) The tax preparer filing the bond shall identify all tax preparers employed or associated with the tax preparer and shall provide for each employee or associate the evidence required by subdivision (a) to the surety company. A tax preparer employed or associated with a tax preparer shall be covered by the bond of the tax preparer with which he or she is employed or associated. However, in no event shall the total bond required for any single tax preparer and the tax preparers employed or associated with it be required to exceed one hundred twenty-five thousand dollars ($125,000). The aggregate liability of the surety to any and all persons regardless of the number of claims against the bond or the number of years the bond remains in force shall not exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) for any one tax preparer. Any revision of the bond amount shall not be cumulative. The liability of the surety on the bond shall not include payment of any civil penalties, fines, attorneys' fees, or any other cost provided by statute or regulation. (d) The tax preparer shall file an amendment to the bond within 30 days of a change in information contained in the bond, including a change in the tax preparers employed or associated with the tax preparer. (e) (1) A tax preparer may not conduct business without having a current surety bond in the amount prescribed by this section. (2) Thirty days prior to the cancellation or termination of any surety bond required by this section, the surety shall send a written notice of that cancellation or termination to the tax preparer and the California Tax Education Council, identifying the bond and the date of cancellation or termination. (3) If a tax preparer fails to obtain a new bond by the effective date of the cancellation or termination of the former bond, the tax preparer shall cease to conduct business until that time as a new surety bond is obtained. (f) Notwithstanding Section 995.710 of the Code of Civil Procedure, a tax preparer may not make a deposit in lieu of bond. (g) A tax preparer shall furnish evidence of the bond required by this section upon the request of any state, federal agency or any law enforcement agency or the California Tax Education Council. 22251. For the purposes of this chapter, the following words have the following meanings: (a) (1) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (2), "tax preparer" includes: (A) A person who, for a fee or for other consideration, assists with or prepares tax returns for another person or who assumes final responsibility for completed work on a return on which preliminary work has been done by another person, or who holds himself or herself out as offering those services. A person engaged in that activity shall be deemed to be a separate person for the purposes of this chapter, irrespective of affiliation with, or employment by, another tax preparer. (B) A corporation, partnership, association, or other entity that has associated with it persons not exempted under Section 22258, which persons shall have as part of their responsibilities the preparation of data and ultimate signatory authority on tax returns or that holds itself out as offering those services or having that authority. (2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), "tax preparer" does not include an employee who, as part of the regular clerical duties of his or her employment, prepares his or her employer's income, sales, or payroll tax returns. (b) "Tax return" means a return, declaration, statement, refund claim, or other document required to be made or filed in connection with state or federal income taxes or state bank and corporation franchise taxes. (c) An "approved curriculum provider," for purposes of basic instruction as described in subdivision (a) of Section 22255, and continuing education as described in subdivision (b) of Section 22255, is one who has been approved by the council as defined in subdivision (d). A curriculum provider who is approved by the tax education council is exempt from Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 94700) of Part 59 of Division 10 of the Education Code. (d) "Council" means the California Tax Education Council that is a single organization made up of not more than one representative from each professional society, association, or other entity operating as a nonprofit corporation that chooses to participate in the council and that represents tax preparers, enrolled agents, attorneys, or certified public accountants with a membership in California of at least 200 for the last three years, and not more than one representative from each for-profit tax preparation corporation that chooses to participate in the council and that has at least 200 employees and has been operating in California for the last three years. The council shall establish a process by which six individuals who are tax preparers pursuant to Section 22255 are appointed to the council with full voting privileges to serve terms as determined by the council, with their initial terms being served on a staggered basis. A person exempt from the requirements of this chapter pursuant to Section 22258 is not eligible for appointment to the council, other than an employee of an individual in an exempt category. (e) "Client" means an individual for whom a tax preparer performs or agrees to perform tax preparation services. (f) "Refund anticipation loan" means a loan, whether provided by the tax preparer or another entity, such as a financial institution, in anticipation of, and whose payment is secured by, a client's federal or state income tax refund or by both. (g) "Refund anticipation loan fee schedule" means a list or table of refund anticipation loan fees that includes three or more representative refund anticipation loan amounts. The schedule shall separately list each fee or charge imposed, as well as a total of all fees imposed, related to the making of a refund anticipation loan. The schedule shall also include, for each representative loan amount, the estimated annual percentage rate calculated under the guidelines established by the federal Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. Sec. 1601 and following). 22252. Prior to rendering any tax preparation services, a tax preparer shall provide the customer in writing with the tax preparer' s name, address, telephone number, and evidence of compliance with the bonding requirement of Section 22250, including the bond number, if any. 22252.1. (a) No confidential information obtained by a tax preparer, in his or her professional capacity, concerning a client or a prospective client shall be disclosed by the tax preparer without the written permission of the client or prospective client, except for the following: (1) Disclosures made by a tax preparer in compliance with a subpoena or a summons enforceable by order of a court. (2) Disclosures made by a tax preparer regarding a client or prospective client to the extent the tax preparer reasonably believes it is necessary to maintain or defend himself or herself in a legal proceeding initiated by the client or prospective client. (3) Disclosures made by a tax preparer in response to an official inquiry from a federal or state government regulatory agency. (4) Disclosures made by a tax preparer or to a tax preparer's duly authorized representative to another tax preparer in connection with a proposed sale or merger of the tax preparer's professional practice. (5) Disclosures made by a tax preparer to either of the following: (A) Another tax preparer to the extent necessary for purposes of professional consultation. (B) Organizations that provide professional standards review and ethics or quality control peer review. (6) Disclosures made when specifically required by law. (b) In the event that confidential client information may be disclosed to persons or entities outside the United States of America in connection with the services provided, the tax preparer shall inform the client in writing and obtain the client's written permission for the disclosure. (c) It is the intent of the Legislature that this section complement and does not replace Section 17530.5 as applied to tax preparers by subdivision (f) of Section 1799.1a of the Civil Code. 22252.5. The Legislature finds and declares that it is important to inform taxpayers that they may make voluntary contributions to certain funds or programs, as provided on the state income tax return. The Legislature further finds and declares that many taxpayers remain unaware of the voluntary contribution check-offs on the state income tax return. Therefore, it is the intent of the Legislature to encourage all persons who prepare state income tax returns, including tax preparers, to inform their clients in writing, prior to the completion of any state income tax return, that they may make a contribution to any voluntary contribution check-off on the state income tax return if they so choose. 22253. (a) It is a violation of this chapter for a tax preparer to do any of the following: (1) Fail to register as a tax preparer with the council. (2) Make, or authorize the making of, any statement or representation, oral or written or recorded by any means, which is intended to induce persons to use the tax preparation service of the tax preparer, which statement or representation is fraudulent, untrue, or misleading. (3) Obtain the signature of a customer to a tax return or authorizing document which contains blank spaces to be filled in after it has been signed. (4) Fail or refuse to give a customer, for his or her own records, a copy of any document requiring the customer's signature, within a reasonable time after the customer signs the document. (5) Fail to maintain a copy of any tax return prepared for a customer for four years from the date of completion or the due date of the return, whichever is later. (6) Engage in advertising practices which are fraudulent, untrue, or misleading, including, but not limited to, assertions that the bond required by Section 22250 in any way implies licensure or endorsement of a tax preparer by the State of California. (7) Violate Section 17530.5 or 17530.6. (8) Violate Section 7216 of Title 26 of the United States Code. (9) Fail to sign a customer's tax return when payment for services rendered has been made. (10) Fail to return, upon the demand by or on behalf of a customer, records or other data provided to the tax preparer by the customer. (11) Knowingly give false or misleading information to the consumer pursuant to Section 22252, or give false or misleading information to the surety company pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 22250, or give false or misleading information to the California Tax Education Council pursuant to Section 22255. (b) Each violation of this section constitutes a separate offense. 22253.1. (a) Any tax preparer who advertises the availability of a refund anticipation loan shall not directly or indirectly represent the loan as a client's actual refund. Any advertisement that mentions a refund anticipation loan shall state conspicuously that it is a loan and that a fee or interest will be charged by the lending institution. The advertisement shall also disclose the name of the lending institution. (b) Every tax preparer who offers to facilitate, or who facilitates, a refund anticipation loan to a client shall display a refund anticipation loan schedule showing the current fees for refund anticipation loans facilitated at the office, for the electronic filing of the client's tax return, for setting up a refund account, and any other related activities necessary to receive a refund anticipation loan. The fee schedule shall also include a statement indicating that the client may have the tax return filed electronically without also obtaining a refund anticipation loan. (c) The postings required by this section shall be made in not less than 28-point type on a document measuring not less than 16 by 20 inches. The postings required in this section shall be displayed in a prominent location at each office where any tax preparer is offering to facilitate or facilitating a refund anticipation loan. (d) (1) Prior to the client's completion of the refund anticipation loan application, a tax preparer that offers to facilitate a refund anticipation loan shall provide to the client a clear, written disclosure containing all of the following information: (A) The refund anticipation loan fee schedule. (B) That a refund anticipation loan is a loan and is not the client's actual income tax refund. (C) That the taxpayer can file an income tax return electronically without applying for a refund anticipation loan. (D) The average amount of time, according to the Internal Revenue Service, within which a taxpayer who does not obtain a refund anticipation loan can expect to receive a refund if the taxpayer's return is filed or mailed as follows: (i) Filed electronically and the refund is deposited directly into the taxpayer's bank account or mailed to the taxpayer. (ii) Mailed to the Internal Revenue Service and the refund is deposited directly into the taxpayer's bank account or mailed to the taxpayer. (E) That the Internal Revenue Service does not guarantee that it will pay the full amount of the anticipated refund and it does not guarantee a specific date that a refund will be deposited into the taxpayer's bank account or mailed to the taxpayer. (F) That the client is responsible for the repayment of the refund anticipation loan and the related fees in the event that the tax refund is not paid or paid in full. (G) The estimated time within which the loan proceeds will be paid to the client if the loan is approved. (H) The fee that will be charged, if any, if the client's loan is not approved. (2) Prior to the client's consummation of the refund anticipation loan transaction, a tax preparer that facilitates a refund anticipation loan shall provide to the client, in either written or electronic form, the following information: (A) The estimated total fees for obtaining the refund anticipation loan. (B) The estimated annual percentage rate for the client's refund anticipation loan, using the guidelines established under the federal Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. Sec. 1601 and following). (C) A comparison of the various costs, fees, and finance charges, if applicable, associated with receiving a refund by mail or by direct deposit directly from the Internal Revenue Service, a refund anticipation loan, a refund anticipation check, or any other refund settlement options facilitated by the tax preparation service. (e) This section shall comply with the language requirements set forth in Section 1632 of the Civil Code. (f) Any tax preparer who offers to facilitate, or who facilitates, a refund anticipation loan may not engage in any of the following activities: (1) Requiring a client to enter into a loan arrangement in order to complete a tax return. (2) Misrepresenting a material factor or condition of a refund anticipation loan. (3) Failing to process the application for a refund anticipation loan promptly after the client applies for the loan. (4) Engaging in any transaction, practice, or course of business that operates a fraud upon any person in connection with a refund anticipation loan. 22253.2. (a) The Franchise Tax Board shall notify the California Tax Education Council when it identifies an individual who has violated paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 22253. (b) Upon receiving the notice described in subdivision (a), the California Tax Education Council shall notify the Attorney General, a district attorney, or a city attorney of the violation. Upon receiving this notice, the Attorney General, a district attorney, or a city attorney may do any of the following: (1) Cite individuals preparing tax returns in violation of subdivision (a) of Section 22253. (2) Levy a fine up to five thousand dollars ($5,000) per violation. (3) Issue a cease and desist order, which shall remain in effect until the individual has complied with paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 22253. (c) The California Tax Education Council may enter into an agreement with the Franchise Tax Board to provide reimbursement to the Franchise Tax Board for any expenses incurred by the Franchise Tax Board to implement subdivision (a) of this section. 22254. A provider of tax preparer education for tax preparers shall meet standards and procedures as approved by the council. The council shall either approve or decline to approve providers of tax preparer education within 120 days of receiving a request for approval. If approval is not declined within 120 days, the provider shall be deemed approved. A listing of those providers approved by the council shall be made available to tax preparers upon request. 22255. (a) The council shall issue a "certificate of completion" to the tax preparer when the tax preparer demonstrates that he or she has (1) completed not less than 60 hours of instruction in basic personal income tax law, theory, and practice by an approved curriculum provider within the previous 18 months; and (2) provides evidence of compliance with the bonding requirement of Section 22250, including the name of the surety company, the bond number, and the bond expiration date. Of the required 60 hours, 45 hours shall be concerned with federal tax curriculum and 15 hours shall be concerned with state tax curriculum. (b) A tax preparer shall complete on an annual basis not less than 20 hours of continuing education, including 12 hours in federal taxation, four hours in California taxation and an additional four hours in either federal or California taxation from an approved curriculum provider. The council shall issue annually a "statement of compliance" when the tax preparer demonstrates that he or she has (1) completed the required 20 hours of continuing education, and (2) provides evidence of compliance with the bonding requirement of Section 22250, including the name of the surety company, the bond number, and the bond expiration date. (c) An individual who possesses a minimum of two recent years experience in the preparation of personal income tax returns may petition the council to review the experience and determine if it is the equivalent of the required qualifying education. The council may provide that individual with a "certificate of completion" if it is determined that the experience is the equivalent of the required hours. Tax preparation performed in situations that violate this chapter, by an individual who is neither registered nor exempted, may not be used toward the qualifying experience needed for registration as a tax preparer. 22256. (a) The superior court in and for the county in which any person acts as a tax preparer in violation of the provisions of this chapter, may, upon a petition by any person, issue an injunction or other appropriate order restraining the conduct. The proceedings under this paragraph shall be governed by Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 525) of Title 7 of Part 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure. (b) A person who violates a provision of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor, which offense is punishable by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by imprisonment in a county jail for not more than one year, or by both. 22257. (a) If a tax preparer fails to perform a duty specifically imposed upon him or her pursuant to this chapter, any person may maintain an action for enforcement of those duties or to recover a civil penalty in the amount of one thousand dollars ($1,000), or for both enforcement and recovery. (b) In an action to enforce these duties or to recover civil penalties, or for both enforcement and recovery, the prevailing plaintiff shall be entitled to reasonable attorney's fees and costs, in addition to the civil penalties provided under subdivision (a). 22258. (a) The following persons are exempt from the requirements of this title, subject to the requirements of subdivision (b): (1) A person with a current and valid license issued by the California Board of Accountancy. (2) A person who is an active member of the State Bar of California. (3) Any trust company or trust business as defined in Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 99) of Division 1 of the Financial Code. (4) A financial institution regulated by the state or federal government, insofar as the activities of the financial institution with respect to tax preparation are subject to federal or state examination or oversight. (5) A person who is enrolled to practice before the Internal Revenue Service pursuant to Subpart A (commencing with Section 10.1) of Part 10 of Title 31 of the Code of Federal Regulations. (6) Any employee of any person described in paragraph (1), (2), (3), (4), or (5), while functioning within the scope of that employment. (7) Any employee of any corporation, partnership, association, or any entity described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 22251. (b) (1) Except for employees of entities described in paragraph (3) or (4) of subdivision (a), paragraph (6) of subdivision (a) shall apply only if all tax returns prepared by that employee are signed by a person described in paragraph (1), (2), or (5) of subdivision (a). (2) Paragraph (7) of subdivision (a) shall apply only if all tax returns prepared by that employee are signed by the person described in paragraph (7) of subdivision (a). (3) No person described in this subdivision as an employee may sign a tax return, unless that employee is otherwise exempt under this section, is registered as a tax preparer with the council, or is an employee of either a trust company or trust business described in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a), or any employee of a financial institution described in paragraph (4) of subdivision (a). (c) For purposes of this section, preparation of a tax return includes the inputting of tax data into a computer. 22259. This chapter shall be subject to the review required by Division 1.2 (commencing with Section 473). This chapter shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2015, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2015, deletes or extends that date.
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